steve oakley

Hello Seeking some assistance and clarification for what i believe to be a katana muromachi period. I believe the mei is Kagamitsu I was informed that the date is eisho 2 nen 8 gatsubi. Which i believe is August 1505. Please correct me if i am wrong. thankyou Steve

Uwe, Thankyou for taking the time to view and respond. I have found a few of the Kabuto Toppai examples. At least i have a name for the design of the armour to do some more digging around on the internet. thanks Steve

Hello I have no idea about Japanese armour and seeking opinion about the possible age. It was my thinking that the helmet was older period (early Edo?) but the armour was late Edo. thanks Steve O

Like many, I too am awaiting the book from Markus. What I can't find an answer for is who was responsible for placing the cutting test on the mei. The tester or another? Chris, you mentioned that saidan mei recording from the two established testing families can be checked. Is there a particular reference or book for this? Regards Steve O

Hi Hamish Yes the market for these is a dangerous place with the good copies kicking around. I have either purchased an expensive replica or got a reasonably good deal on the original. regards Steve O

Hello I am seeking opinions on your thoughts if this tassel in the real deal or one of the chinese copies that has hit the market of late. It does show appropriate wear but then again this may have been done to deceive. thanks for looking Steve O

Thankyou John Steve O

Hello I have a mei which i am trying to translate. I thought that it may have have included the kanji "Kane". Also the last kanji is saku?? thanks Steve O

Hi David Thanks for looking. Yes that is what the mei reads as Kaneharu but any ideas on which one? regards Steve O

Good evening Wondering if i could get some help on this mei. Have been told it is seki junin kaneharu. From what i can see there are about 20 or more Kaneharu. If the mei is correct as Junin Kaneharu then can narrow this down to a couple. Thoughts on this smith to this mei. If someone has an example of another mei for comparison would be good Kaneharu (兼春), Tenbun (天文, 1532-1555), Mino – Nōshū-jū Kaneharu“ (濃州住兼春), Nōshū Seki-jūnin Kaneharu“ (濃州関住人兼春) regards Steve O

Stephen Yes a koto blade in gunto mounts. The blade has a deep sori. The blade measures 24 1/2" cutting edge, 1+1/16" width, 5mm thickness at the notch, 7/8" curvature. regards Steve O

Hi Chris Thanks for looking, its a gunto that i have had for a while. I was going to send it to Shinsa but funds and time run out for Tampa. Steve O

Seeking some help with last last two kanji. (sukesade) ??? The first kanji may be Suke The second although barley visible maybe Sada. Thankyou Steve O

Jean Gimei, i prefer genuine replica :lol: Besides the cut on this mei is thinner strokes and newer looking. Was thinking that there may have been others that signed this way. Steve

Geraint I was hoping for some other examples of the mei to compare. After i bit of searching, the mei i have found for the 1504 Kanesada is different to the one i have. http://www.sho-shin.com/kanesada.html Steve O