Mark

I added pictures on another thread http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/17023-help-please-with-translation/ as I needed some translation help. It seems whatever it is it is worn off in spots and still there in spots. I hope the pictures show it clearly enough

I have a wakizashi, ( I posted about the lacquer on the nakago in another thread). Anyway I can read Tamba (no) Kami Yoshimichi but not sure the first 2 kanji above Tamba. Also the other side has an inscription, maybe a strange date, or something else. Any help with the first 2 kanji and the other inscription appreciated. I showed both sides of the nakago horizontally but did the inscriptions that I need help with vertically to make it easier to read Thanks!!

tried acetone, did not do anything. I think this may have been on the nakago for a long time p.s. thanks to administrator for editing the title

I have a Shinto Wakizashi, it looks like someone, a long time ago, coated it with paint, probably old lacquer, maybe urushi. Anyway i want to remove it. I tried soaking in lacquer thinner, no help, tried carefully using "stripper" and still nothing. For the blade it can be removed by a polish. But the nakago is an issue, i can't figure out how to get all the lacquer off the nakago. There are parts where it is gone, maybe rubbed off but some spots are here and very stubborn and i do not want to disturb the patina. Any ideas how to remove very old lacquer?? I know some old tsuba were lacquered and maybe it is good to leave those as found but for the sword i would prefer to remove it. Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated

Mr Celto Please note forum rules require you sign all posts with your name. Welcome. Yes it looks like a tachi. The blade appears unsigned but the mountings are tachi type so the sword as a whole can be described as a tachi but the blade itself is a daito or long sword currently mounted as a tachi. It is hard to say a lot, other than it looks "real", from the pictures. It probably dates to 1800's or earlier. Where are you located? Any chance you are within traveling distance of one of the sword shows?

sounds like you are having a hard time... The makers side is not too hard, although the last kanji is hard to see in the shadow. Here is a hint that may help, if you work it out you will benefit from learning. The first 2 kanji are a province, you can look up provinces in kanji and figure out which one, there are not that many. The third kanji is Kami meaning lord (title) so that goes with the province, 4 and 5 are a clan name, there are only a few and this is the most common so you will find it easily. The last 2 (6th and 7th) are the makers name, the first kanji of his name is one of the most frequent so easy to identify, the last kanji is hard to see in the picture, I could make a good guess but with the title you can check a list a titles and see who had that title and used the first kanji in his name... You will find doing it you will learn and help you do it the next time. Someone may just post a translation but I think it best to try and learn first. The other side will take some time and it is hard to see clearly, but the name side is the most important as it gives you a direction for research let us know how you do and we can guide you some more

maybe Tadayoshi saku

you can just snipe, there are plenty of programs available that way you do not have to be at your computer or post your bid early. If someone did as you suggest (raising bid and them removing it) it would be easy to spot and the buyer is notified when outbid and when the bid is removed. Ebay has plenty of problems but that type of shill bidding is usually caught quickly

fake or original what? Papers? they look fine. Blade? It has a paper so the NBTHK thinks it genuine

looks like "Den Edo Ishido Sakon Korekazu" (circa 1660 lots of info available, Ishido school Shinto working in Bizen Den), I am sure you know the date and length

my guess is Sukesada. looks like someone put a hole through the second kanji on purpose

might be away on vacation or traveling so not listing at present, I am sure he will be back. He is a member here so maybe he will comment

maybe a transitional blade? Made so it could to be mounted in late '44 mounts with 2 holes, or the earlier gunto mounts?

when I started I bought inexpensive swords, learned from them and sold them. I found when I sold them I learned a lot because people showed me EVERYTHING NEGATIVE about the sword. It was very educational. When I was comfortable knowing a $1000 sword from a $300 sword, I moved to $1000 swords, Eventually I figured out the difference between a $2500 sword and a $1000 sword, so I moved to more expensive swords. I recommend buying at a level you are comfortable, learn and eventually sell. When you sell you get a real education in the value. Move up as your comfort level changes. Apply the lessons learned from selling when buying the next sword, I figure that is how I pay for the education. I have made money on some swords and broken even, and lost money on plenty.

You could make a donation to the board in his name, it is the NMB that makes it possible and I am sure Kunitaro-san would appreciate the thought

Echizen Ju. Resident of Echizen, usually the smiths name is on the other side, probably shinto

Rich Not sure I understand your question. David seems to clearly say the sword is signed by Munetsugu (a famous maker from the mid 1800's) but he says it is a WWII sword so not made by the person whose name is on the tang. The blade/sword is a "real sword" but no one knows who made it (or at least nothing is stated about who made it). So it seems David is not sure who the maker is. Many people would try and pass this off as a 1800's sword but Davis is being honest and fair so I would think his description is also accurate, I am sure you will get what he represents it to be.

could be gimei I guess, it seemed to look natural. Anyway it would be nice to know what the first 2 kanji say

here are a couple, blade is dated 1533, sorry the overall picture is out of focus but at least gives an idea of shape If anyone has any other ideas about the place of kanji at the beginning of the mei please let me know

Ed & Robert Thanks, I will get some pictures tomorrow, blade is not in polish. I think the "town" name coming before the Province threw me off, I had seen Shu written that way before but would have expected BuShu XXX Ju so thought maybe it was something else

I have a daito, I read the makers name as Chikashige (please correct me if wrong), but I am having trouble with the rest of the mei, can anyone offer some help Thank you

My thanks to Mike Yamasaki and the NBTHK (American Branch).. What a lecture and exhibition! About a dozen high end tanto laid out for hands on examination, everything from Koto Hasabe, Nobukuni through high end Shinto, toped off with a Kiyomaro. Having the chance to actual handle and examine these treasures was a treat and my hats off to the owners who generously allowed them to be used. Where else can you walk up to a table and pick up a real Kiyomaro and spend time learning from it. Mike's lectures are always educational, he walks the attendees through the kantei process so you learn how to determine quality "hands on"

I submitted 5 blades. 4 signed 1 mumei, I was sure 2 of the signed blades were good, I was pretty sure one was gimei but wanted to verify, the mumei blade seemed to have the quality to pass and the last signed blade I was not sure either way. 4 passed, the one I thought was gimei failed. I took some blades for others and, not to share anyone's business, I think the pass rate was over 50% and although I did not spend much time looking at the swords I did notice a couple that clearly looks gimei. Overall the "mood" or buzz of those who submitted seemed satisfied. I remember shinsa and this time there was a marked difference for the better. As Tom mentions in his thread it seems collectors are learning and submitting better quality and the results reflect that.

sunday at noon, still going strong

some of the tables and people