Mark

Jose where in KY are you? I was in Louisville last weekend and could have brought all my items to show you. Not all blades and handles fit all koshirae so sometimes the fit is important if you need it for a particular use. you can email me at nixe@bright.net mark

think i see Kanbun on the paper

Bob Chicago show is scheduled for April 30-May 2, 2021 I talked to the hotel last week and they are cautiously optimistic that they will be able to have the show. It depends on the State and health regulations. I have not been actively advertising the show as i would prefer to know for sure one way or the other. I will update the show website as things clarify http://www.chicagoswordshow.com/ mark

depending on size usually 4-500 for Shirasaya and $150 for tsunagi.

you could get this book Imperial Japanese Good Luck Flags and One-Thousand Stitch Belts Hardcover – June 30, 2008 by Michael A Bortner (Author)

these flags are reasonably common. I have owned dozens and dozens. At any big militaria show you can buy as many as you want (genuine ones) for $150 or so. they were given to military men going off to war by family, friends, workmates etc. They were carried for good luck and many were taken by souvenirs by vets. There is a reasonably modern book dealing with these flags. The book explains all about them. you can probably find it by researching. If i recall it i will add it

Steve-san Thank you. The link was interesting, seems he was a very progressive and kind person. At least i feel a bit better not being able to figure out the inscription myself, it does seem challenging thanks again mark

i have a blade by Enshin, i can read the Date but not sure about the line on the left, it seems to be a "custom order" but i can't understand it. seems to say something about #9 in 100. any help appreciated. i will have it listed for sale in my dealer section shortly thanks mark

maybe SoShu Ju Tsunahiro

it's a common fake

looks real but late and low quality sort or dock work, might be classified as Nagoya-mono

i agree. looks painted gold and silver

Peter from looking at his auctions most low end stuff seems to be here in the U.S. (seems to say shipping from CA), some of the high end swords say they are in Japan and will need extra time for shipment...... So i surmise he has a close relationship with a Japanese dealer, and the dealer ships him bulk low end items to list and sell (including ones described as gendai and shinsakuto) , he also provides pictures/descriptions of higher end swords that are still in Japan and komonjo lists them (or the dealer lists them on his account), if they sell the dealer sends them (either to Komonjo - to be sent to buyer-- or directly to buyer). Just my guess.... whatever he does it must work, he has been doing it for years.

torokusho looks like it has a date, maybe Heisei 16

i lived in Toronto when i was young. You are fortunate there is a active group there. Maybe Barry H can let you know when things open up

where are you located in CA? There are some groups north of the border and a number of NMB members. Maybe some opportunity to meet (after covid)?

a lifetime ago i learned kanji and translation from Grey's kanji cards. If i had a mei i would go through the cards and place ones that looked close to a kanji next to it, then when i was through i would take all the close kanji and eliminate ones until i had what i thought was right, then putting them together i could usually use Hawley's to figure out the mei and what i was missing. also when i had spare time i would study them and eventually recognized what the kanji said.

tricky. hard to know. does the temper turn toward the ha at the machi? if so retemper or ubu and made to look suriage. if not still maybe retempered, or might be made that way in shinshinto and made to look older. Hard to know where the original mekugi-ana was, has it been cut off? i guess it could be O-suriage mumei with mei added later. placement of the mei and the mekugi-ana that are there are problematic. It will take some in hand study, at least you have something to study and learn from.

signed katana mei. does not look 13th century

I have been a member of the Japanese Sword Society of the United States (http://www.jssus.org) for over 30 years, a member of the NBTHK -American Branch, and I run the Chicago Sword Show (http://www.chicagoswordshow.com). I sell on eBay, my i.d. is mark!!1 please check my feedback. I partner with Grey Doffin and many of the items on his website are ours (https://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com). I live in Maumee (near Toledo) Ohio U.S.A. I can accept Paypal, check, or bank transfer (for larger purchases). Prices are in USD (US$). I prefer to use USPS but will send as a buyer requests. Buyer pays actual shipping cost. I will only ship a package with tracking. For international customers: I can not insure a package for more than the declared value (and insurance can be limited by carrier). I try to respond to inquires within 24 hours, but different time zones can impact response time. You can message me here or email me at nixe@bright.net (preferred) or chicagoswordshow@gmail.com There is a 3 day inspection period for any items purchased. A refund will be given if i am notified, in 3 days, and the item is returned, and received, in the same condition.

i think Mino Ju Tsukako Kanemasa carefully made this ..... a bit hard with the rust and someone better than me can correct it

Takes me back........... I never held this sword but i remember seeing it at the Chicago show a long time ago from across a table when i was walking bye. I remember the Habaki and remember it was a navy sword. That must have been 30 years ago? I have seen thousands of swords since and owned more that a thousand yet i still remember this sword. Strange how things stay with you, i can't remember what i did last week but recall this sword.

i agree it is 100% fake, and the type you see that have been made in the past 20 years not 80 years ago, You mention " I got it along with other items identified to this Vet. ( don't know why family would part with these things, but???) " -- maybe they are more savvy than you think. Maybe they kept the real item and managed to off load the box with a modern fake they purchased for the purpose. Or maybe one of the relatives took the real sword and substituted this and the ones who sold to you were not aware. either way it is not what was send back 80 years ago.... --- this is my opinion

he may also mean JSS/US Newsletter volume 15, issue number 6 (there are 6 issues a year) , page 31

Bushu ju yamamoto genki toshinaga think the other side is truly forged/folded 15 times