John C

Mr. Ninja (given name?): I think the tamahagane coming from smelters is graded (5 I think) so it can be mixed in various amounts by the smith. Note in the pic below there are two grades coming from the Yasukuni smelter being sent to various arsenals. This adds to the variability. In addition, the smith has a lot of control over how the metal is heated, folded, pounded, etc. So I don't personally think blades are in danger of being too generic. I think about the example of two RJT smiths with vastly different values both using the same tamahagane from Yasukuni. Just my two cents (Oh wait, the US doesn't make pennies any more.) John C.

One of the title pages shows a date of 1938, for what it's worth. Not sure if that's early or not. My copies are 1960's reprints. John C.

Update teaser number 2. The metal reinforcement pieces after patination. Captures the look of the iron pieces well enough, I think. John C.

Hello Jose: In general, kai gunto (referring to naval mounts) can have different kinds of blades. Some are a type of rust-free steel (anchor stamp), some are known as KJT (traditionally made swords), some use old family blades. I have also seen kai gunto with seki blades. So the direct answer to your question is no - not all have the anchor stamp on them. John C.

John: I think Ray is looking here. But I can't tell because it looks as if the nakago has been repaired (re-welded?) at that spot. John C.

Interesting placement of the star stamp - under the habaki. Later, they are mostly just above the mei. Early and still feeling out where the best spot would be? John C.

There is a large US naval base there. Perhaps the father was in the Navy. John C.

No. I got it for 10 dollars, which is why I decided to buy it. At first I thought the medallion had been altered into a netsuke so I wasn't going to pony up too much. But for 10 bucks I thought it was interesting enough to get. John C.

Conway: Was there anything above the first character? I've seen that kanji paired with field rank. John C.

Just picked this up. A 1934 paper weight commemorating the birthday of Crown Prince Akihito. John C.

Thanks again, Steve. Found a few online now that I know what I'm looking for. John C.

Thanks, Steve. Do you know if it started life that way or has it been altered? The location of the ring makes sense as a way to pick it up. John C.

Agreed. The holes look hand cut through the decoration so probably not original (although I cannot find another example of this particular medallion to compare). And the loop is in a weird spot for a pendant or keychain so I think the most likely usage would be as a NLO. Overall size is 63mm X 71mm. John C.

Thank you very much, Piers-san and Kaito-san. This gives me some great info to research. John C.

Thank you, Piers. Here is the back side showing a loop that would have allowed it to be used as a NLO. John C.