Mark

not about smiths, or signature. Just lots on the different types of NCO swords, military dirks, Showa era swords (the mountings not the blades)

mumei wakizashi nagasa 20" I can see most of the temperline, the boshi is hard to see as someone had cleaned it. No fatal flaws, some nicks, a bit tired, scuffs and stains. The shirasaya works but not sure it is original. There has been talk about people wanting genuine swords that are not expensive so I will give it a try. Not a treasure but a genuine antique hand made sword $350 + postage. best to email me at nixe@bright.net

picture is not in focus. maybe Seki Amahide

it may have a few things not in the big Dawson book but unless you are serious about unusual gunto the Dawson book should cover most

I agree with most of the above. One thing I would mention regarding shows (please note I am not neutral as I manage the Chicago show) is the opportunity to see a large number of actual swords in one place. If you walk through one of the US shows you will see more swords than at any other place (within the US). You can ask questions, many dealers will take the time to educate newer collectors. The NBTHK (AB) usually puts on a great display and/or educational program. When I started I learned a lot more at shows than I could from books, I had the opportunity to use what I read in the real world. While I think it is a challenge to get a new generation interested in swords and the costs are difficult I do see young faces at the shows. For those of us sitting behind tables at shows we need to remember we need to encourage new collectors and take the time to nurture, or at least cut them some slack with the beginner questions. I was encouraged to see a number of new, young, faces at the last Chicago show and I (well my family really) try to make them feel welcome when they show up at the door. At every show Grey Doffin takes time from the show to put on an educational lecture for newer collectors. We should encourage that and contribute ourselves.

I agree with Brian, hard to be sure from the pictures. If it is genuine it is very late and low quality so not very valuable anyway so no big loss

as Chris points out -- it could be a rusty 76 Chevette worth $50 or a 63 Corvette all original worth $50,000 hard to know from just a name, there were many smiths who used that name

Peter Any sword in Japan must have what you call a registration paper, it is required by law. The registration just says what is on the nakago, it does not say if it is genuine or gimei just what is there. A sword by a famous maker is worth a lot of money if genuine and it is easy to get a paper in Japan, so if it does not have a reliable paper that sort of speaks for itself. It is not a Showa sword, if made by Kajihie it would be made in the later 1800's

Joe can you post a link, save us trying to find it

I think you can ship to Italy but I have had negative experiences with the Post in Italy so I would not send it unless I can fully insure it and get good tracking.

Tom thanks for pointing that out, it gave me some direction! I reread the book and think I found what you mention on page 173, it looks like the difference between the kanji for no and tsu is the addition of two small marks like "

I was reading Markus Sesko's Tameshigiri book, it was very educational. I think learned something but thought I would follow up here and make sure I understand the Japanese translation correctly. In the book (and other references) Futsu Do Kiriotoshi, or Futsu Do Saidan, or Futsu Do Setsudan are translated as "two bodies cut through", or "Cut through two bodies". But in the past it was explained to me that those terms meant one body was cut through using the second cut or denoting through the chest. I remember when i was in Japan the word for numbers changed based on the usage. Can anyone expand on the terms and explain how two bodies verses second cut are differentiated.

George where are you located? Maybe there is a group or show in your area. We could try and give an idea of value but a hands on examination would be more acurate

Martin mentioned the province where it was made, the last two kanji are the makers name, check the kanji page above, they are quite easy to find and you will enjoy the research. let us know what you find and we can provide more information

I found it in the book Peter mentioned

Peter thanks, I see it now, I had checked the book but the ribbon color threw me, I can see the medallion is the same. appreciate all the help

I thought if no one recognized it at least the label on the box or inside the from cover might say what it is then I could search that

I have a Japanese badge or pin, I have never seen one like this before, came anyone tell me what it is or is for? thanks!!

Jeremy he is in Japan for DTI so is probably busy and it may be difficult for him to get to email

hard to read, maybe Tadamitsu? Shape is not common but you see it, unfortunately it looks like someone damaged it with a poor polish and the lines have been ruined (unless it is lust the picture)

if sent to the US using US mail (Express) there is no duty, my understanding is there is no customs duty on antiques, when I have gone to Japan I brought a bunch of stuff back and had a letter saying they were antiques, when I explained this to a supervisor (some of the customs agents are not up on rules) they let me through - no charge. When I have items delivered from overseas there is never a duty is sent by normal mail but if sent through a shipping company (Fed Ex and others) I have got an invoice for duty, it costs more to dispute it so I just pay

you can pay 2015 dues anytime. You can use Paypal and Chris will note you are paid for 2014 so will know it is for 2015, if you mail a check it would help if you note it is 2015 dues but we can figure it out anyway. Brian, for the JSS/US if you do not get them after the strike let Grey know we will figure out something to get you what you missed, especially the special Higo tsuba issue

Grey and I enjoyed the show, here are 2 pictures of our tables and 2 of the show, sorry if one is fuzzy.

Harima (no) kami, the rest is right. you should check it carefully with references, there are a lot available, even on line, for this maker

Brian and all nothing wrong with it other than what you saw. I am quite sure there was no hagire, I would have noted it, I had it at several shows and no one looking at it in hand said anything about possible hagire. It was a real, antique, handmade blade, probably Koto but I am not going to restore it, just merchandise. I had it at several shows as I mentioned, I think I was asking $295. I put it on eBay as an experiment to see what happened, someone had suggested it may be a good place to sell lower end swords, guess not (at least not for me). I have some other swords like that, maybe I will list them here in the future, but one reason I did not is time and aggravation. I am leaving for the Phily show tomorrow and will take most of my stuff there (if you are in the area it should be worth visiting). I don't think anyone missed a treasure (but you newer know, I am told o sold a couple of great swords at a recent show for less than $500 each), it just was a project. It was paid for and in the mail, I did not recognize the buyers name so do not think a NMB member.