John C

At least 4 Yasunori available - one tanto, one papered. https://www.ebay.com/itm/376358762059? https://www.ebay.com/itm/306468598203? https://www.ebay.com/itm/357808868509? https://www.ebay.com/itm/357808853956? Does that seem weird or just coincidence? John C.

Thanks Tom. I totally forgot I already posted this!!!! ...it's not the years, it's the mileage.... John C.

I think I have the first and 3rd kanji: Naka ____unk Masa ____unk Thank you, John C.

Jan: Does this mean "master" or "teacher" in this context? John C.

@Bruce Pennington Wow, Bruce. That's great! I have 39 examples of his mei, which is what I am recording, but do not have 3 on your list (aug, 43; oct, 43, aug 44). I would love to get your nakago pics of the 3 left on your list below. You have two listed as Aug 44. The one I have has the A80/A930 paint scheme. But it's the mei I am particularly interested in for this project. Just to give you some background info - It is widely known that Kanehide changed his mei through out his career. But current literature available to me does not discuss a) how many times (i.e., what style kanji used) he changed, b) when those changes took place, and c) why those changes took place, if that can be determined through examination. It would be easier to just get in touch with his son Masanao and ask these questions but that is obviously not possible for me. Additionally, there is an almost 20 year gap in his oshigata record between 1954 and 1973. What version of his mei did he use during this time period? Are there any exhisting oshigata from this time period in Japanese sources? So far, I have been able to log 39 examples of his mei from ~1938 to 1988, except for that 20 year gap. There are some definite time frames for his kanji changes—basically 1938-1940, 1940-1945, and post war. Also, there seems to be some correlation between his kanji changes and certain events in his life. So I am comparing his kanji changes with his biographical history (mostly coming from Malcolm's research and one of his "resumes"). Anyway, it keeps me off the streets. And I greatly appreciate any info you have. John C.

That's fantastic, George Thank you verry much! John C.

Thank you, Steve. Google had it as "graduated" as well. John C.

Martin: Old thread, however could you please post a pic of the mei and date of your Kanehide for a project I am working on? Thank you, John C.

George: Would you mind posting a picture (or directing me to the thread if already done) of the mei and date of your Kanehide for a project I am doing? Thank you, John C.

Paul: If you are still online, could you post a pic of the date and mei of your Kanehide for a project I'm doing? Thank you, John C.

Kris: The issue with natural oils is that they are high in fats, which attract bacteria and become rancid. High quality conditioners usually do not. Another consideration is the type of leather. My guess is that saya covers were made out of oil tanned leatner (as opposed to vegetable tanned leather). This makes them more pliable and weather resistant (think about purse or jacket leather compared to holster or sheath leather). In that case, a high quality conditioner is all you should need. I make wallets, gun holsters, knife sheaths, and key fobs from vegetable tanned leather, either natural or dyed, conditioned with neatsfoot oil and finished with resolene. I have never had a problem with the leather darkening. It may be a different story with oil tanned leather, however. John C.

Kris: As a leather worker, I would be careful with natural oils like mink oil because they can darken leather. Neatsfoot oil MIGHT darken the leather but usually doesn't. Another option are conditioners used on high-end purses, like Coach conditioner. Bick also makes a good conditioner. Personally, I use either Coach leather conditioner or Neatsfoot. John C.

David: Here is a website with a pretty good breakdown of Japanese swords by era and shape. https://Japan-forward.com/the-changes-in-the-shape-of-the-Japanese-sword/ John C.

Kris: Probably just the wrinkle in the fabric, however the kissaki looks odd. How does it look in hand? Also, and you probably already know this, the tassel is a company grade tassel meaning Lieutenent or Captain (or could be warrant officer as well). John C.

I'm assuming one of the two metal looking pointy pieces at the top of the pic? John C. p.s. Been looking for a drinking cup. Saw one on Ebay last year. The guy wanted 250 dollars! Needless to say, I still don't have one.

Is the line next to the kissaki a dent? John C.

Thank you, Steve. Very much appreceiated. Eight semesters of college German doesn't seem to be paying off for me. John C.

This is on the bottom of a bronze vase. I think the first kanji may be O or Dai or Hiro; not sure what the second mark is; then followed by Moto??? The last character on the left is probably a kao. But other than those guesses, I'm lost. Any help is appreciated, John C.

Sam: Could the first kanji be one of these? John C.

Matching serial number on saya and blade, which is always good. It also appears to be the thicker 11mm tsuba, which also means early in the production. John C.

Julian: Firstly, nice sword. As far as it belonging to a general, it's hard to say. The tassel that is on the sword, if original, is not the type that would be on a general's sword. Secondly, and more importantly, as to returning the sword to the family: this would be problematic for several reasons. As a military sword (assuming the blade was made during the Showa era), you most likely would not be allowed to bring the sword into the country. There are some extremely strict rules regarding swords and registration in Japan. Additionally, many Japanese families would rather not have a "war" reminder of their relatives. This is of course a generalization, however it is often true. My suggestion would be to continue having fun doing the research and the discovery but not worry about returning it. Regards, John C.

It's possible. In general, officers had to pay for their own type 94/98 swords unlike NCO's and the Type 95. I'm not sure of the exact process, however I suspect if one had enough money he could commission his favorite smith to make a sword. Smiths also worked with private companies to sell their swords. Also in that process, officers could order different quality of fittings from what was essentially a catalog. John C.

Thanks, Ray and Uwe. All I could get was the Na at the beginning. John C.

Just a guess but it looks a bit like number 9 then hiragana KE or possibly Hiragana TA KE. John C.

Auction title: Sword Auction description: Sword Pictures: 3 - all the same shot. https://www.ebay.com/itm/357714728503? John C.