Matsunoki

@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.

Please forgive my lack of knowledge on papers. Please could you tell me - is this a genuine and reliable paper, is it Hozon or Tokubetsu Hozon and does it tell me any more about the blade (school??) other than just Sukemitsu? I have imaged it with light behind as it appears to have two watermarks. The blade is a very attractive hirazukuri wakizashi with bohi in an old s/s but also with a lovely quality koshirae Many thanks. Best. Colin

Not much can be said that you could rely on. However the double habaki would suggest a genuine old blade (and sometimes a sign of something decent) but the kashira is a horrible fake replacement. The fuchi looks genuine but poor condition. The blade could have any number of serious flaws that we cannot see. Its a total gamble but might be worth a shot if it’s really cheap. Good luck. Colin

Hi Mark It’s a tricky job! Each tsuka is precisely made to fit the nakago of each individual blade and then to mate with the saya with the correct geometry. Not sure if you have the required craftsmen in Oz to do that for you. Then of course you have to have the samegawa fitted, then the tsuka ito and the fuchi, locking catches etc etc. I’m sure some of your fellow countrymen can point you in the right direction if the skills exist. However if you are handy with intricate woodwork you could have a look at the seller swordmaster19 on eBay. He sells blank tsuka, samegawa etc and you might find something that could be adapted. I have bought from him and found him to be reliable and trustworthy. Good luck! Best. Colin

Thanks John. Usually I would totally agree…..leave it alone…..but the bowl was very dirty with a slight bloom (almost a surface mould) in places so it just had a wipe with a slightly damp soapy piece of soft paper towel, dried and then a light coat of of Antiquax. Didn’t touch the neck guard. The shine will die down! Appreciate your comments. All the best. Colin

Thanks again @uwe Edo is fine by me …..glad it isn’t a Showa repro! Appreciate your time, very kind of you. All the best.Colin

Howard, you might have noticed that your topic inspired me to get the camera out and post my Eboshi Kabuto for comment so thank you. I will therefore expect a similar emoji because mine is a bit tatty as well. Who cares?…..the important thing is that we enjoy and learn thanks to the more generous natured members on here. Knowledge and pleasure does not depend upon £expenditure.

That might be injurious to both our healths Piers, she holds a black belt 3rd dan in dusting you know……best keep quiet. I won’t mention it if you don’t.

@uwe @Bugyotsuji Appreciate your time and help. Many thanks. I guess “Edo” is as close as we get and that’s fine. Especially grateful to you Piers for the kind offer to relieve me of it but my wife so enjoys dusting it that I think I’d better hang on to it.🙂

Apologies Uwe, …..camera in one hand, hanpo (not menpo?, my mistake) swinging around in the other….poor images but done quickly in poor light. Good enough?

Thanks for your time Uwe, couple of extra questions …. Was this style of Kabuto mostly worn to look good “walking around town” or were they suitable for battle?(I guess it might depend on how old it is??) Also that long red silk(?) cord was on it when I bought it. Is that likely to be a genuine Kabuto cord? I haven’t unrolled it but it looks awfully long to be tied around a mask.

Yes, all the way to the top. The top edge lacquer is chipped and iron/rust is clearly visible! I’m waiting for your offer Piers🙂