Mark C

Thank you Moriyama San, Thats very interesting, the Tanto has NTHK npo papers with it and I have had the remarks section translated, the translation puts it "The latter generation, toward the end of Taokugawa period" (pictures attached) Another thing I have noticed is that the kanji for Hiro is different on the nakago 廣 and the papers 広 More investigation required I think. Again many thanks Regards mark

Hi All, I have been racking my brains for a while on this sayagaki. I think I have got the top four kanji as: Soshu Ju Tsunahiro The bottom left hand side kanji as: Heisei ? roku nen go gatsu jyu shi hi (1989 ? 6th year, 5th month, 14th day), possibly the year and date the sayagai was done. Any help on the rest would be greatly appreciated. many thanks mark

Hi Michel, Thank you for you answer, I wasn't sure if they where frogs or toads. I looked up Gama senin on the WWW and did some more learning :D Again thanks Regards Mark

Hi all, I recently picked these up seperatly but I think Iwill mount them as a set. Tsuba: 2.5inches across 2.75 inches tall 1/8 thick, reducing as it goes towards the middle The subject being a gentleman (could this be sage?)with a frog sitting in front of him and mountain scenery in the back ground. Menuki: aprox 1 3/8 long obviously two frog/toads but what I have noticed is that the throat on one of the frogs is larger than the other Any information/comments on the Tsuba and Menuki will be greatfuly received. Many thanks Mark

Hi, The motorcycle museum is on the same roundabout as the NEC in Birmingham. (M42) Regards Mark

Hi, All the vendors are fairly good, but always haggle :D The prices range for Japanese swords covers all budgets. I would also recommend a visit to Bills shop, you will be there all day and its good fun, maybe while you are there go to the museum and see the nihonto and related items display. You could try Chris james at medalsandmilitaria.co.uk, shop is in Warwick and he also runs the fair at the motorcycle museum. Regards Mark C

Hi, If you can get to the fair at the Motorcycle museum I will introduce you to various dealers that have Japanese swords, these include Bill Tagg, Michael d Long and Chris James. They all have a vast aray of blades at different quality levels. The next fair is Sunday 16th September. Let me know if you are going and we will meet up. Regards Mark

Hi Guys, I've learnt Another lesson "Always proof read before posting" :lol: All these suggestions for repatina's sound very interesting but I won't be trying any, the previous owner has played with the Nakago and I have no intention of following them :D I will let it grow old gracefuly I intend on getting the sword polished and put into shirasaya as the mounts are crap. I will post before and after pictures, if anyones wants. Many thanks for your comments on this sword. Regards Mark C

Hi All, Settle down everyone, Before I'm hung, drawn and quartered, I got the sword in this condition. I haven't cleaned anything and although I have only been in the Nihonto world for a few years, one of the many things I have learnt is not to touch the Nakago It was as Brian said, just written wrong. Thanks Brian Mark C

Hi Nobody and Nanshoku-Samurai, Thanks for your comments. I have posted a few more pics. As I said, its in a bad state, I have included pics of overall shape, Boshi including general condition of blade and after several hours of finger stoneing, what Hamon there is. Again thanks Mark

Hi everyone, I recently picked up this Katana in a rough state of repair, covered in surface rust and had the nakago sand blasted, anyway details below: Nagasa = 25 1/8" Sori = 5/8" O-Kissaki Dated - Showa 18 (1943), no arsenal stamps I think I have translated the mei correctly as Echigo Kuni Ju Sadakiyo Seitan. Is this correct and what is the meaning of Seitan? Also I have trawled my books and the web for Sadakiyo but can only find Echigo Kuni Ju Kamimure Sadakiyo, this being in the Showa oshigata database but unfortunately this is written is Grass/Soshu script? Does anyone have any additional info on this smith? Many thanks Mark

Hi Franco and Brian, Thanks for that, just I'd never seen one before. I'll put a sharp knife in it and give it to the wife to peel vegatables with :lol: Kind regards mark

Hi all, Picked up this Kozuka a while back and noticed that it's the same on both sides Has anyone seen anything like it before ? I think someone has soldered two fronts together. Opinions/ideas anyone. Many thanks for your help regards mark

Hi, I'll have a go at the mei. Ishido Teruhide Saku. Sloughs page 171 Regards Mark

Hi Mike, Thanks for that. I did forget to mention that the turnback at the boshi is a long one, it returns an 1 1/2" past the yokote. Again, thanks Mark

Hi Everyone, Just picked up this Wakizashi and would like some help on it. Nagasa=14" Width at yokote = 15/16" width at machi = 1 1/8" kissaki = O kissaki (2. 1/2") nakago = 4 1/4" nakagojiri = ha agari kurijiri hada =mokume/itame mix hamon = possibly koshi-no-hiraita midare? The person I got it from said that he thinks it is Echizen Shimosaka school work. Any thoughts greatly appreciated. many thanks regards mark

Hi all, Many thanks for the info. Its a shame its in such a poor state, I will keep it as an example of what could have been Again, thanks regards mark

Hi all, Picked up this rather poor looking tsuba at the weekend, Any thoughts? Many thanks Mark

Hi Koichi, Thanks for that, it now makes sense. Any ideas on the age? I was thinking Edo but have no idea if it would be early, mid or late. Regards Mark

Hi Stephan, I've known Don for a few years now and he is a freindly, knowledgeable chap with good stuff. Whatever time you have allowed yourself to go and see Don, Treble it :lol: :lol: I agree with Ford, a good pint can be had above. Have a good time in London. Regards Mark

Hi all, Can I please have any thoughts on this tsuba that I picked up today. 72mm Round. Thickness=4mm I think the subject is maybe reeds/grasses, unsure what the brass dots are that seem to be in pairs. The patina is a lot darker in real life as this was taken on an unusually sunny day here in the UK. On the last picture, are these marks made when the tsuba was made? Many thanks for your help Mark

Hi Rich, Thats the answer I was hoping for . For some reason I got myself very worried as my tsuba/kozuka wasn't of a landscape scene. Many thanks for your help. Regards Mark

Hi All, With reference to an earlier post regading A Tsuba and Kozuka signed Someya Tomonobu, I have found that he specialises / is known for his landscape scenes. The tsuba I have is of a tiger in bamboo and the kozuka is of a dragon. Does this make my Tsuba/kozuka likely to be gimei Or did tsuba artists "dabble" in lots of different styles Many thanks for your help Mark

Hi All, Thanks for all your help. I will still have to get my head around that after possible reshaping from a naginata there is an 1" Kaeri Was there shape changes in naginata over the various era's Again, many thanks mark

I was thinking along those lines and edging towards the Nagamaki for the following, probably way off reasons :? the boshi has a turn back of about an inch Would you get this on a naginata naoshi or a nagamaki naoshi after all the reshaping:?: Like i say, probably way off. mark