Lindus

Most collectors of Japanese swords and Gunto in particular would "fall off their bikes" at the sight of such mint pieces but to have General officer to field officer tassels as well...............! Must be a good story behind this ??????? Roy

Once again many thanks Moriyama San Roy

Two more for my favorite charity, any help with ID and translation would be "smashing" Roy

Menuki look like pressings?. Is that sharskin and not Ray?. Roy

Thank you Moriyama san, the print will be on sale for charity soon, your help is most appreciated. regards Roy

Bought this in 1970,striking but I suspect not a master piece. Genuine wood block with bleed thru etc,my question is who did this and what does the script say?. Had to lighten the caligraphy as it is black on black. Print size 40cm x 26cm Thank you Roy

Looks like a decent genuine "Buy" Roy

Nihonto............................................................. Roy

Nice one, have had several of this type, can add little as have found virtually no info but am sure Ian will fill you in on this. The last I had was signed by a miochin late chap, sadly did not keep a record way back. Roy

Be carefull of some replies,they perhaps do not know re Lemon juice etc. looks OK to me. Try the last stage polish, will not harm the blade but is good for the soul and will bring some results. Roy

Did not like to say Ray just in case you were into straw Roy

:D Friend bought one from India, when it turned up it was like a large brown golf ball............... Roy

Easy to remove without damage,put a little penetrating oil on and then gently heat,it should come away without damage to either blade or Habaki. Have done this many times. Roy

Possibly refers to a chapter in the Genji Monogatari?. Roy

Dread to think what UK health and safety would say about that . Splendid stuff though, would love to goto one of these exhibitions. Roy

Just a thought, all the Mantetsu blades I have had , the mei has been a master piece, so different from all other blades so as to make them un mistakable. Roy

Just found the answere, the notes were for the proposed books he later wrote You can see from the illustrations in the published books that they are hand drawn. That aside interesting stuff Brian if you want to remove these go ahead Roy And to add "More haste less speed" I have just found Arco publishing final pre publish proof copy Roy

Still finding old stuff tucked away & today came across two note books, seem to date from the 1920's. Hand written in tiny script with all publisher seals,Dates & Art signatures all drawn by hand, pretty impressive work. The question is are these pre publication work or perhaps crit's by Turk for Strange?? Examples shown below. Roy

Tried to do this but the "edit" on the auction was not there. Roy

Hi KM Let me have a link to the dogs, have a chap who is looking for tired or broken swords. Regards Roy

For some reason I could not open your file Brian, if others have the same problem I have put the whole lot on a web page. Please feel free to copy if you wish. click the link below. Roy http://collectorsloot.homestead.com/Sur ... -care.html

Mei reads...Bushu Shimohara Hiroshige {1716-80} And whats wrong with shrunken heads may I ask sir they go well with our members of parliaments shrunken brains. Guess from the fingers comment you were in Vietnam at some period. Yes,my proud possession, came after a joker phoned me to say he had a Japanese sword for sale,asked the length,reply "short" so my rule in those days was ,dont ask to many question prior to getting there. Also tempted me with an "Antique Japanese Armour". The Armour was a WW2 Japanese sniper body armour and Helmit, the short sword.................. Roy

PM sent Brian with scans of all,let me know re quality but should be good. Roy

Forgot to mention there is six folio pages. Roy

Perhaps some of you may have seen copies of this paper but if not it may be of interest. In brief it is directed to " The commander,The allied land forces,Siam" fro Japanese Major General Ohara,18th area army. Major R.S.Kaye of the 9th JAT regiment,Indian army requested that this be "FWD for info of all sword holders" HQ 7th Indian Division,SEAC,May 3rd 46. Overs several pages it covers The subject of Japanese swords, Description of types. How to look after the sword. How to care for the sword. How to keep the sword. Etiquette in handling. And how to appraise etc. Some years ago when it came with a gunto I found this a most interesting document as the British forces were being instructed via the IJA through their high command on how to appreciate and care for surrendered swords. Have scanned just one page,did not want to fill NMB with page after page as it may be of little interest, let me know, if you wish to see the whole thing and print off then I will put a page aside on my web site. Roy