Kantaro

Hello, can anyone translate what is written on this wooden paulownia box? (It is for a Tsuba) Thanks!

"This seems a Heianjo tsuba that has been altered not for a naginata but a wooden 'bo-ken' - the symmetrical hitsu look added at a different time as well - nice inlay but very confused history. Something for a tsuba collector but not suitable for remounting on a sword I think. I have not seen very many Heianjo with that Kiku-gata shape, they are usually just round." This is what Dale told me about it a few weeks ago before he dissapeared... I do wonder if anyone has or has seen something similar?

Firefighter?

Nice one Jacques. It reminds me of this strange one I have seen. What do you think of it?

Good question indeed. How did these Naginata tsuba look like?

Wow...

Wow, nice piece with an interesting release latch Thomas, never saw that before! Thanks for sharing. (But indeed it is a Type 19 with fighting blade.)

Nice one Conway! I like it, and the price seems OK. But is the locking mechanism missing? I see the botton but not the rest??

I found this one on Ebay but it has no locking mechanism... https://www.ebay.com/itm/304951168087 or this one... WWII Japanese Samurai Sword * GENERAL GRADE * -PLIMPTON COLLECTION—PUBLISHED | eBay nope no lock either... mumble...

I have been scanning the net but it seems difficult to find one...anyone has an example of an army Type 19 parade sword with a locking mechanism and 2 hangers? I found this topic hereunder from 2020 and the sword Dave showed had a botton for locking. The one Bruce showed had none...but it seemed a policesword. Here on the picture you can see a rare ARMY general officers parade sabre with a spring clip retention...so it does exist. aha...now I am talking to myself.

Thanks Conway! Indeed I was talking only about the parade swords. Any one has an example of an army one with a locking mechanism?

Are there Type 19 dress swords with a lock? Thought I had seen one with 2 rings and a lock...mumble. Thanks!

Welcome George.

Thanks for your reply Neil, Unfortunantly the antique codes, even today seem not to be known by Belgian customs at all...100 or even more than 250 years old always seem to be 25-30% costs/VAT. They seem not able to learn. I even wonder why Japan still asks to put these codes on the parcel. "Sword fittings", as description, even a tsuba or a silk bag or a copper seppa or a piece of wood or a piece of rope, identified by this name are send back the same day they arrive in Belgium. One of my parcels from Japan was lost at the Belgian customs for more than 40 days and only was recovered by miracle after a complaint with BEpost and JPpost. Nobody seems to be able to educate them and nobody cares. This is unfair and ridiculous indeed and this is why I am maybe going to get another hobby. Kind regards.

Dale has serious internet troubles, I hope he will be back soon.

Can anyone translate what he is saying to the turtle? Thanks.

I still like it.

MASAYUKI (正行), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Masayuki” (正行), real name Miwa Tomoo (三輪友雄), born August 8th 1895, he worked in Seki as guntō smith. Got confirmation that it is this one. Gifu is the modern prefecture name of Mino. https://www.warrelic...nto-original-786933/ https://www.ima-usa....riant=39369770532933 Thanks!

The horror...

Nice find David! I like it.

The first one seems too young (born in 1938...) so I suppose it is the second one? And no mentioning about "Mino Kuni"? Anyone knows?

Bruce do you know if he is in Markus book?

I do agree with you Colin, but I hope you understand my point of view that it would have been worse if this tsuba was already sold in the past.

Interesting is that this item was not sold yet in the past. That is a good sign. But it is strange different sellers from Japan try to sell this the same time. Are they the same?

Looks fine to me but depends what you mean with "worthy"?