Meiji H

Hi Piers Yes, if i can get it for a good price. I'm not going to go crazy in case it is a gimei, as I am now aware there are quite a few around, but will offer my max. I will post on this thread if successful.... already nervous...

Many thanks all. My Great Grandfather lived in Edo (Tokyo) at the Ministry of Public Works, he was Surveyor-in-Chief to the Emperor of Japan. He and his wife learned Japanese and had a great respect for the culture. Both were great friends with many influential Japanese officials but in particular Hirobumi Ito, Yoso Yamao, (both members of the Chosu 5 who spoke good English ) also Sano Tsunetami and General Saigo Tsugumi the brother of Saigo Takemori, 'The Last Samurai'. Saigo Tsugumi is in the picture above in military uniform.

Hi Ray, based in Inverness, many thanks for the recommendation , I'll certainly do that. New to the forum but very keen to learn. For us Scots it was very much Thomas Blake Glover opening up the culture of Japan to Scottish entrepreneurs and businesses back in 1850 / 1860 , a fascinating period of history often forgotten, but one where the first items of Samurai Armour ever came to light in the UK. My great grandfather ,from Iona, working in Japan as an engineer / surveyor from 1868 to 1876, visiting curio shops and purchasing Yari and Katana and various other items that I remember seeing in my youth. Meiji H

Hi Jean C, Many thanks for this . Unfortunately the Wakizashi is not in my possession so I cannot get any more photos. However, I'm going to make an offer for it and if successful I will post more details with the proper lighting and background. Can I take this opportunity to thank you for your invaluable assistance and swift responses. I have to say I have looked at various posts in the forum and everyone is so helpful and understanding. I will catch up on some reading so I can be much more proficient with the terminology; I have Paul Martin's, Japanese Swords and Armour and Colin Roach's , Japanese swords, so I'll read these first. Any other suggestions welcome. My thanks once again you have been most helpful. Colin H

Dear Jean C san, many thanks for this swift response and the wealth of information, quite amazing! My apologies for the spelling of Wakizashi , I do know this but seem to have made an error in my haste. I have not got a good photo of the Wakizashi as you describe with a black background, but attached some which show the other side of the tang, the hamon is visible, which looks like notare, as is the kissaki. sorry I'm on a steep but very enjoyable learning curve. Regards Colin H

Hi, I,m looking to purchase a wakazashi that has a signed tang, can anyone help with the translation please. any help appreciated. C