uwe

Thanks David and Dan! @Steve Yes, I saw these examples and they caused my doubts. Also “Kanzan” has only the mei with the Daijō title, where at least the “Uji” and “Shige” characters are quite different chiseled. Unfortunately, the few pics of the blade I got are too blurry to judge the workmanship.

Dear members, I was ask by a friend for help about his recently aquired wakizashi. Well, as a "katchu-bunny" my sword collecting years are already a while back. The mei reads "大和守藤原氏重" (Yamato no Kami Fujiwara Ujishige), but all I came up with, in my limited sword library, was the first generation Harima Ujishige, around Meireki (UJI 162). Unfortunately, I can't find this exact mei anywhere (neither in the books nor on the net), to compare the signature in question with confirmed examples. Can somebody bring me on the right track? With some hope for help, thanks in advance!

These baskets were also in use here in Germany. Know them from my time as a firefighter until the early 90s….

Forgot “常州水戸住坂東太郎?… cut off (Jōshū mito jū bandōtarō…..)

First looks like “正信” (Masanobu) Second might as Mark suggested “井上和泉守國貞” Third is a date and upside down “延宝七年ニ目日” (February 1679)

David, the mon is called “Maru ni tate futatsubiki” and was used by several families. For example: Akita, Arai, Iijima, Iwaki, Nakamura, Nobe, Otsuka, Shinozawa…. So it is, more or less, impossible to pin down the actual clan only by a single mon!

Can't open all the pics, but looks real from what I can see... 関 (Seki stamp) 兼継 (Kanetsugu) 昭和十八年 (Shôwa 18 = 1943)

“Tōto Suga Toshinori”!

Looks 十九 to me (1944), but not sure…

Seems to be a complete gusoku (no. 5 of a series, 11?) bearing a mon. The table of contend mentions an lacquered tatami-dō with matching kote and suneate. Strangely no kabuto, as far as I can see at the moment…. It would be nice if you can sharing some pics, Simon!

Sorry to hear of your loss, Peter… RIP!

Yes, it's a date: "慶應三年七月日" (Juli Keiô 3 = 1867)

As for the date, I can imagine it is 天保十 (1839)…

His iron works are of good quality. Otherwise not much known about this guy. Late Edo period and his name can also be read as Kanetsugu. The menpō is very close to some examples of the Unkai school. High craftsmanship!

Probably “勝尾” (Katsuo) family. There were at least 4 craftsman (zōgan/stirrup makers) with that name between the late 17th century and the early 19th….

„祈武運長久“ Pray for good fortune and safety in war, I think!

Indeed Thomas! I was able to inspect the sword yesterday in hand. As I saw the hamon, I immediately called it “Mino/Seki” until I removed the tsuka…😮 Clearly gimei 😁

The armors are fancy and in very good condition….but way out of my league

Maybe “….香合” (Kōgō = incense container)?

Could it start with “満州国…” (Manshūkoku)?

“正阿弥盛直” (Shōami Morinao), I guess!

That are sad news! He had been seriously ill for quite a time. A great loss 😔 RIP!

It took me awhile to get the first part, but Moriyama San was faster 🙂 Found an example: https://nominoichi.jp/未分類/日本刀-脇差-銘）竹木禽獣鍛備州長船住祐定刀身/

I tend to read it as “祐包” (Sukekane)?!

吹毛且不動小野…., not sure if it’s right. Oh, Steve got it already!