Matsunoki

Just for info, the link to Facebook that you have provided does not work on my iPhone. I get a message saying it doesn’t exist.

Confused. Are you saying you’ve bought a fake Kai Gunto but want to turn it into a fake Shingunto? Why not just buy a fake Shingunto?

Interested to hear why you think that.

I’d go hako-gunome.

Long barrel but looks small bore judging from the final section. Gingal is usually on a swivel/mount of some sort because of size. Early snipers?

Hi, no I didn’t. I’m not on Facebook.

Thanks again John. So, what do we conclude from this….two totally different calligraphy styles (Slough/ricecracker vs the ones in this thread) both purporting to be the same smith? The ones John shows us above are spot on for the one I show…..and totally different to Slough/ricecracker. Confusing or what?

Thanks John. That’s an almost exact match. Where did you find that one? If the one in your image is right then the one I’m looking at is also right. But it is so different to the one on Ricecracker and Slough.

The one on Ricecracker is the actual one in Sloughs book and the Mei is very different to the one I’m showing in this thread. However the characteristics of this sword are correct for this smith …..Yamato, masame and suguha.

Hi Volker The images above are all I have at the moment. The Yasurimei are visible. Best I can do right now. C.

Hi Geraint, I was told by Ford many years ago that good quality older “real” shakudo would re-patinated itself if left alone and your tsuba proves it.

@Bruce Pennington Thanks Bruce. Kind of you. I’m going to have a cup of tea and ponder all that🙂

Hmmm, the Mei is nothing like the one in Slough (p100). It’s cut in a more loose/cursive style to my eyes. Gimei??….

@Bruce Pennington Thanks Bruce. Can you direct me to the necessary (online?) reference material so I can try and work this out for myself as well?!.. All,the best Colin.

@mywei Matt, that was quick! Grateful thanks. Trouble is I’m just as lost on the date….anyone else?….it doesn’t look like a normal date….but then I’m easily confused! Thanks again. All the best Colin

I apologise in advance but I am hopelessly lost on this one. It’s a big ask but if anyone can spare the time to help I would be most grateful. These are the only images I have - sorry for the awkward angles. Thank you in advance. Best wishes. Colin

Must improve my ability to read what’s there!!! Put it down to age. Sorry!! Doh!

As a general rule that applies to 99% of longsword blades, the name of the swordsmith is on the side that faces out from the body when worn. This obviously differs if the blade is worn edge down (Tachi) or edge up (katana) Inscriptions of the other side are commonly dates but can include a variety of other things….name of whoever commissioned the blade, dedication to a shrine…..etc etc However some schools did not necessarily conform to the norm…..just to confuse matters! EDIT, ignore the above. The post is about tsuba Mei, not sword Mei. Doh!

These are again all genuine modest quality pieces of a type that would be fitted to many a Samurai sword. I’m no tsuba expert so you might get a more informed opinion on that. It looks pretty old but in somewhat tired condition.As you probably know, menuki come in pairs. A good way to train your eye on fakes and copies is to search eBay.com and look at anything coming out of China! To see really good quality things look at bonhams website and search “past lots”

(Images all upside down🙂) All appear to be genuine fuchi of modest quality (no offence intended) from the Edo period. Probably 19thC. Fuchi are the fittings at the tsuba end of a Japanese sword tsuka (ie handle). They usually come with a matching kashira that goes on the other end of the tsuka which together are called “fuchi kashira” (sometimes also called fuchi-gashira). Sometimes they are signed in the faceplate. Search this Forum for fuchi and you’ll get loads of comparisons. Best. Colin.

I think that’s exactly what it is but the blade could be a horror when you take it out the case…….or not🙂

Let me think about that for a while! Not sure yet……….

HB, many thanks.

Chandler, Sam, thanks guys. Appreciate your help.