buchtas

yes that is correct, this is the top view, for the time those are the only 2 pics I have

Hi, sorry, my question probably got lost while writing the text, but my question would be probably both, but specifically about the NCR swords. And maybye I would need to understand the rarity of such swords I get that they are really scarce but I have no frame of refference for it.

Hi everyone, before I start I want to mention that I dont have pictures, YET. Point of this is to start the discussion on this and lay some questions I have. I might ask questions that were probably answered here (YES, i did went through number of old posts) ALSO, this is important, one of the swords in question is one that is mentioned in this article that I found references to here in some amount: http://ohmura-study.net/308.html Sword described in the articel is currently on public display at Military history institue museum, VHU in Prag. It caught my attention while I was checking/doing maintenance on the exhibit pieces on display. When I focused on the details i noticed that its fittings are adorned with NCR symbol. Later I went on the forum and to consult head of the restoration department (my boss) and I found that yes it was on display at the Prague castle in the Theresian palace years ago (this is where the Omhura study connects to this) And after that I found out that this sword came in in high quality presentation brocade case, with another identical sword (just differently colored tassel) and also with high quality binoculars also NCR marked...... And judging by the way it is made it is most likely Japanese made. Again I dont have photos of the whole package yet, but the case is period correct to the pre war era (aging of the brocade confirms this) But I want to throw the question out to the open if this is something that was done or is it one of a kind something. To add, It came to the museum as a diplomatic/political gift from Vietnam if I remmember corectly. And as mentioned in the linked article one tassel is cream white/brownish pink and the other one is dark blue/brown. I have examined both of the swords previously, them being 2 of the 6 Japanese swords in total in the collection I am often drawn to them while visiting the depository, They are not "resoted" nor rebuild or rewrapped I believe that they are unaltered original condition, they are also near mint condition. blades them selves are, I think cloudy? I guess a bit faded or tired, not damaged or corroded thankfully. I have aded a picture of the kashira because before I talked with my boss i intended to post it here for identification. On a side note 40 years ago he did identify it as a railways sword, correctly, but since Japanese swords are not plentifull nor a main object of research they are left unstudied and labeled just as "katana" I intend to change that and provide the curator of the edge weapons collection with correct inforamtion he can add it to the information card of the items. Anyway I hope this is not boring and again I am so sorry for the lack of photos, it will be rectified with my next visit to the collection depository. Any piece of inforamtion to the debate is more than welcome, Best regard, Martin

25, started 2 years ago but interested in nihonto close to a decade

Hi everyone, few days ago I got an offer to buy a sword in shirasaya, it is aorund 350 euros. thing is they claim it is signed Kanemoto. Seller sent me a description they claim came with a sword from the previous owner from Japan along 12 other blades in 1991. This is rough copy paste of is there: KANEMOTO 兼元. NAGASA 54,3 CM, SORI 2,0 CM, MOTOHABA 2,6 CM, Lenght with TACHI MEI 67,5 CM KO HADA ITAME WITH MASAME HAMON IS SAMBONSUGI AND HAS ASHI, YO, AND SUNAGASHI ACTIVITY So my question with translation would be if it really is KANEMOTO, i have found this one by searching the kanji characters provided: https://nihontoclub.com/smiths/KAN1570 or https://nihontoclub.com/smiths/KAN1569 Tang photos are not great but hope they will be somewhat readable to someone. Blade it self is tired but overall not that bad. Therefore I am humbly asking for translation of the tang if it corresponds with what info (and "attribution") was provided. Thank you for your time. Best regards, Martin

Yeah, that is what i thought, mainly because of how the material was worked, filed down, etc..., I can see that but was not sure if this is modern modern or something from last century. You learn something new every day Thanks But i assume that this is probably something better than averge cast replicas of today.

Hi, everyone, I was browsing my go to auction site for some bits n pieces unrelated to nihonto and stumbled upon a seller who is offering mostly WW2 Japanese military stuff, in description he states that items are either imorted form Japan or from his personal collection, but whatever. What I found is quite nice tsuba, seller states in the description that it is 20th century, fair enough could be. I just wanted some opinions of the amazing people here what do you think? Does it look authentic? Is it really Meiji era tsuba or otherwise? I mean it looks really nice so even if it was contemporary i would probably get it. It is priced around 40 Euros. Any opinion is welcome. Best regards, Martin

Here is my Cuckoo tsuba, I absolutely love the scenery and the bird with cresent moon on top is just a cherry on top.

Thank you so much, interesting smith indeed

Oh, I see, to be honest as much as I love kyu-Guntos I havent seen any with older blades disassembled.

Hi everyone, finally after a long time I got to dissassemble an Austrohungarian saber "gunto" with Japanese blade. This is a continuation of my previous post from Link here Today I pulled it out of display and removed the blade, and well it was a day of surprises. I assumed that it would be held in place by a pin, in this case 2 part gold plated brass screw but to everyones surprise it was also held by a tang screw.... Yep you heard that right, this blade was fitted into the original fittings of the navy saber, which meant (unfortunately) grinding some material away from the tang and cutting a thread onto it, (yes, threads are cut directly on the tang, it is not welded on) So after removing the pommel screw, then I was able to access the tang screw and remove the blade. Sorry for the long text here I was carried away, I will post everything into a general discussion thread after this. Anyway back to the signature, it was amazing feeling when I found a signature there, at first we theorized that it was ordered to be made but after removing it, I think this is a older blade than late 19th century one, in my humbke amateur opinion. Also note: all of the mekugi ana are punched not drilled. Anyhow, I would love to ask knowledgable people of this forum if they would be able to translate the signature if possible. It is a very interesting piece, we hoped that signature would help us fins the history behind the piece but now I think looking at the state of the tang that it might be older piece and was aquired for this purpose and not custom made for this with dedication on it. But it is what it is. Sorry for the long post, will rewrite for general discussion with more details. Thank you for your time. Anyway, have a great day everyone, Best regards, M

Thank you very much, will go through the post

Hi everyone, I have my first nihonto still on the way home, but I want to start looking for a Naginata Naoshi, I just fell in love with them. Anyway I want to scout the waters and prices, I do not know what they generally go for, that is why I am here. My budget would be prefferably around 2000 Euros, If I would be really REALLY interested, i might squeeze my wallet up to 4000 I dont care about smith or papers. All I want is true Naginata Naoshi, prefferably from before Edo period (if it is really nice piece i would fall in love on the first sight, I wouldnt care about the age either ) regardless of lenght, shape, school, hamon, level of polish etc... A study blade I can always go to and enjoy looking at is the goal here. Looking mainly in Europe but if the blade is worth it and a great deal i dont care where it comes from. Thanks in advance for anything, even info on current prices. MP

Lovely sword and beautifull hada. What was the price if you dont mind me asking? As a beginer I am interested in getting to know the prices

Talking about preservation/use of the blade and comapring to other tools, vintage cars etc. If I am not mistaken, swords that are centuries old are usually altered, shortened, reshaped etc. And I dont see the nihonto community scoffing at those types of blades, why is that then? The same blades were used by generations descending from the original owner of the blade or someone that made the adjustments. And if someone wants to honor the craftsmanship of the blade and use it for Iai with the respect and experience of years that is part of the baldes history/future. Same with antique firearms, they are collectible and worthy of preservation, but taking it out to the range and make it roar with fire and smoke once or twice a year does not hurt it, especially black powder guns. And the feeling of using such piece is just off the charts. I also understand the preservation point, as someone who works at the museum as restorator/conservator. Getting to handle and work on pieces of art is fullfilling but occasionally swinging a sword i get my hands on, or just trying the antigue flintlock mechanism... it is tempting, on some pieces i wouldnt dare of course, but there are some that wont be harmed in anyway since I know from experience what i can do to not hurt the item.