Hector

Hi, I am considering this katana tsuba (around 8 cm in diameter). I like the simple tsukashi, surface steel structure and even color but have no idea what the actual design symbolises. So all thoughts are most welcome! Best, Hector

It states that this young man is "the first non-Japanese swordsmith". That was Keith Nobuhira Austin. Keith Nobuhira Austin | NCJSC

An unread book is just a block of paper. F. Scott Fitzgerald

Sorry, I've been kind of guilty of this recently. I posted about an old sword magazine I found and also asked advice on a wakizashi which I ended up buying. Unfortunately, I haven't posted updates or photos of either yet because the end of year vacation has seen me on the move between various friends and relatives. As soon as I'm back home, I'll update those two threads with pictures.

Hi Mal @mecox, My wife is also Showa vintage so, as you undoubtedly know, it's best not to argue with those ladies! 😂

Well, I just asked my Japanese wife "Look at these three kanji and read the name out as you see it" 信四郎 Reply "Nobushiro".

Thanks Piers - but he appears to be a tea master. 🤔

Thank you so much for your help, gentlemen! It does indeed seem to describe the tsuba within the box. However, it's strange that it doesn't have the 'twisted rope' mimi associated with the Tochibata school. Unsurprisingly, I'm not familiar with the appraiser, Sōkan.

Thank you Dan! I could certainly see a familiar style in this example.

This is inscribed inside the lid of a tsuba box and I'd like to know what it says to see if it actually corresponds to the actual tsuba or whether it's been swapped out. Thank you, Hector

Please don't be offended at the directness of some of these replies, Glen - it's just the style of this forum and these are all good guys. The trouble is these obvious Chinese fakes show up on here every week, often with an accompanying story claiming some provenance from WW2. If you were given this sword by your son's friend, I'd advise keeping quiet and accept it as a well intended gift. If, however, you spent good money on it, I would consider having a word about getting reimbursed. Best, Hector

Hi George, Using the best translator I have at my disposal, this is the result I got. Best, Hector

Another Yuletide tsuba I'm mulling over. it's .....well, square. In every sense of the word. I'd like to know whether you think this is as it is because the craftsman just couldn't handle cutting out curves or that it represents some abstract design - whether simple geometric shapes or perhaps a hidden martial philosophy (like the Yagyu school with its triangle)? Best, Hector

The guy with the big, round drill has produced another masterpiece - this one looks like a bubble bath. 😳

@Curran and @Michael 101, thank you both for your insights - they're much appreciated! Another point which seemed suspicious to me was that the lines in the design - which you would expect to be chiselled - seem to lack any evidence of chisel marks in close up. Even a brass kiseru (pipe) I own with an engraving of a tiger in long grass shows clear chisel marks as shown below.

Just came across this copper(?) tsuba online and, while I like the 'old wood grain' design, something seems off. In particular, I can see what appears to be a casting defect on the seppa-dai and possibly lines of air bubbles on the inner surface of the mimi. All opinions appreciated. Best, Hector

Quick update; it arrived this morning and I'm extremely happy with it! Cons first: It is in very old polish with some tiny and insignificant 'spider web' rust spots in places. The hada is also cloudy for the same reason. There is a small fukure on one side but it's certainly not a dealbreaker and I could see it in the seller's photos - so not a surprise. Pros: It is massive! It's one of the most intimidating blades I've ever held in hand. As Colin said above, “lethal and menacing” sums it up perfectly. Apart from the forementioned old polish and tiny kizu, it's in extremely good condition with no hagire, chips, bends or other damage. The hamon is just as stunning in real life; at first glance, it appears to be nioi based with patches of tight nie but I'll have to put it under a good light source and look at in depth. The Kanzan sayagaki seems genuine and matches the blade's dimensions (I think - I'll be asking for your opinions on both its authenticity and correct translation). Photos to follow later. Best, Hector

Thank you Jussi! I only just logged back on and saw your comments (and the other very encouraging remarks above😊). Now I'm a little blown away to be honest; so the sayagaki could be legitimate and, if it and the blade match, then the smith is actually well known? 😳 Wow - that is entirely unexpected!

Well spotted!!! 😀

As some here know, I've been looking for a sword and I'm one of the overly optimistic (as in 'dumb') fools who trawl Yahoo auctions. As I learned more by asking lots of questions, I decided to look for a blade I really liked the look of aesthetically and could afford to take a hit on financially if I messed up. I did as much research as I could based on the seller's images and dubious sales spiel, took my chances and ended up winning an auction about an hour ago. (Two members here kindly helped me to translate a difficult phrase which gave me the final nudge.) It's a mumei wakizashi - the worst choice possible if you ever want to sell, Iknow. It supposedly has a sayagaki by Kanzan Sato but I accept that is probably fake. This reads "Yamashiro Province, Sanjō Resident Yoshikuni Hitatsura Wakizashi One Shaku Two Sun Seven Bu Five Rin" - the latter part of which accurately duplicates what is on the torokusho at least. Talking of the torokusho, I was pretty confused when I couldn't see any prefecture name on it because I know I will have to re-register it. However, after doing some more online research, it's apparently because it's dated Showa 26 or 1951 and early licenses didn't give the prefecture name. As to Yoshikuni (if it even is his work), this was all I could find out about this smith. Yoshikuni 義国, 1624, Yamashiro. Mei: Sanjo Horikawa ju Fujiwara Yoshikuni 三条堀川住藤原義国, Yamashiro Sanjo Horikawa Yoshikuni 山城三条堀川義国, Horikawa ju Yoshikuni 堀河住義国, Bungo (no) Kami Tachibana Yoshikuni 豊後守橘義国. Student of Mishina Kinmichi and Horikawa Dewa Daijo Kunimichi. Why did I risk it? The hamon, pure and simple. As long as that is not a drunken polisher's ode to hadori I'll be happy. I really don't care about the sayagaki's authenticity or who actually made it - I lucked out on the price (suspicious in itself) and just hope it looks half as decent in hand as in the auction photos (attached). Wish me luck. Best, Hector

That is so helpful guys - thank you so much! It ties in perfectly with the blade I'm looking at. @eternal_newbie"....has spots of hardening all over the surface but not enough to be considered fully hitatsura" is actually a spot on description as there are only stray areas of hardening. Thanks again! Hector

Hi, I'm trying to decipher the sayagaki of a hirazukuri wakizashi. I've managed to work out most of it but this phrase is alluding me. I know it refers to the temper pattern but the exact nuance does not translate (I tried using auto translate but answers ranged from 'flaming' to 'total destruction'!) 皆焼き脇差 Thanks, Hector

After looking at many genuine examples, both here and online, I think this may actually be a genuine sayagaki by Kanzan. However, it is only the blade inside which counts as, from what I've read, Kanzan signed so many shirasaya (and that's not counting all the fakes out there) that his sayagaki are very commonly encountered.

I apologize for the bad call! The ersatz habaki and odd hilt binding threw me totally off. As I said, I am learning myself. It's a really nice present for your father!

Thank you so much for checking your chain hangers Ian! I think this interesting new subject is something Bruce @Bruce Pennington might like a record of. Best, Hector