pcfarrar

There's also a paperback version, without the pictures. I've seen that one at militaria fairs in the UK for peanuts. Think I have a copy somewhere in the house.

I'll post some decent photos up when I can. Thanks for the help.

Thanks Chris, is it likely to be completely traditionally made or water tempered western steel etc?

It doesn't seem to be Kawamura Kanenaga and definitely not Watanabe Kanenaga. Amaike Kanenaga seems like a possibility? There is an oshigata on Rich Stein's website: http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/oshigata/kanenag4.jpg

An interesting gendaito turned up today out of the woodwork at Preston militaria fair. It has a pretty wild choji hamon with lots of sunagashi between the choji peaks, and clear ko-itame hada. I was surprised to discover that it was just signed nijimei Kanenaga (no stamps) and dated 1943. Anyone have any thoughts which Kanenaga this is? I was surprised at how nice the sword is (it's also in early war good quality mounts) and really though it would have had a star stamp before removing the tsuka. Sorry for the poor quality of the photos, only had my phone with me at the fair and the nakago was covered in crud. Thanks, Peter

A friend has a small yoroidoshi tanto (approx 1cm kasane), that is signed Masanori. It looks shin-shinto, and has quite a distinctive choji hamon where the peaks are bent in an inverted L shape. It is mounted in a nice Higo style koshirae with a poem inscribed on the saya. Anyone have any ideas which Masanori it might be? Thanks, Peter

When I've bought swords from Aoi in the past and had them papered you just have to pay the pass fee so it's only something like 25,000 yen. Really is pretty insignificant compared to the cost of the sword. In the UK having papers does help assist with customs clearance if you run into problems. Customs will accept them as additional proof of the sword being genuine etc.

Why? Additional cost is peanuts with the sword still being with Aoi, so might as well have them especially as Aoi will give you your money back if it fails.

You should get Aoi Art to put it in for NBTHK Hozon papers whilst the sword is still in Japan.

Hard to see but they are usually signed along the lines of Yamashiro Tenpo.

From J Gilbert's website: Q: Is there a story behind the squirrel and grapes motif? A: I don't know of any textual reference, but squirrel and grapes is a very common kodogu motif. People in the US often mistake the squirrel for a fox. I can understand that, since Aesop’s fable of the fox and grapes is more familiar in the West. The squirrel and grapes motif probably entered Japan in the Nara period by way of Tang China via the silk road. It may have originated in Greece. It’s a popular decorative motif, but has additional connotations for sword fittings. The squirrel and grapes motif is a visual pun for perfection in military achievements. The Japanese word for grape is budo, and that is of course a homonym for "way of the martial arts." The word for squirrel, rizo, is also a homonym with the kanji that mean something like "setting high ideals." Once you figure that out, it's pretty easy to understand why it was such a popular "picture." It was very common in late Muromachi - Momoyama Heianjo zogan work and remained popular at various times through the Edo period.

Assuming it has no kizu or problems for a civilian mounted katana the price is quite fair.

Parcelforce customs normally isn't this fast, must have got lucky.

It looks Shin-Shinto to me, it's only slightly suriage, note how the hamon terminates just below the machi.

These books are pretty much essential in eformat. Keep them on your phone/tablet and you have a great database for searching signatures at shows,auctions etc.

Bought :D Just noticed there is an oshigata from a sword that I own.

David, Would advise you to use Paul Martin for shinsa services. There is no one better, he has good prices, and excellent service. Peter

Looks great, bought :D

Thanks for the help Chris, most appreciated.

Just a bump to see if anyone has any info on this smith, or can help at all with the missing sections of my translation.

Legend in Japanese Art revamped and updated would be a useful publication.

A friend has the gendaito pictured below signed XXXX XXXX shin shi Minamoto Munetaka Tsukuru Kore, unfortunately the nengo is obscured by rust making the exact date difficult to see. It also has a "Shin Gane Iru" hot stamp. I haven't been able to find anything on this smith in Hawley's or Sesko's. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks, Peter

Unfortunately this smith isn't mentioned in Markus' Swordsmith book. Are they any other Japanese references that might contain information on this smith? I've checked the usual Toko Taikan, Fujishiro, Koza etc.

I was waiting for the NMB version of Markus' book.....if someone could check for me that would be great. Would the horimono be original to the blade or a WW2 addition? It doesn't seem to be hiding any forging flaws that i can see. Also I found a wakizashi by the same smith: http://www.e-sword.jp/sale/2013/1310_2006syousai.htm And a naginata with identical mei: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Japanes ... 1277950706

I guess its either NAO201 or NAO203 in Hawleys. I've checked all my references but they don't have anything on this smith. It's a decent blade, has a three friends of winter horimono. Just came out of the woodwork, was brought back by a Royal Navy Rating from Changi prison at the end of WW2.