DaveM4P99

Hi All - what can I expect to pay for a new Saya and Tsuka? Nothing too fancy...Probably just a simple wooden one like the one "falconj" just posted a photo of (no tsuba or other fittings). And what if I went with the military style, and got a tsuka with wrappings and fittings (re-using my old tsuba, habaki, and end-cap)? I was quoted approx. $1,500 by a local nihonto antiques store, for a new saya and tsuka, if they re-used my fittings. Is this about right? Should I be posting this in the other forum section? Thanks! Dave

OK understood...And I did not mean to offend with any of my comments. Well...It does sound like, so far, I have been lucky, and that Mr. Hofhine hasn't encountered any blistering or other fatal flaws that he couldn't deal with...and that the blade is taking well to the polish...despite the pitting and rust. I guess we will see. I will post detailed, macro pics of the blade as soon as I get it back...and you guys can tell me how it turned out.

Chris - I assume this is a photo of you with David Hofhine? http://www.swordpolisher.com/photos.html Do you not trust his work?

I guess it is semantics...If not being "formally" trained makes someone an amateur...then I guess he is an "amateur." But does that automatically make him incompetent? He sounds like he knows what he is talking about...and has been doing it for more than 20 years full time. http://www.swordpolisher.com/whychoosedave.html Seems pretty honest to me...And more than 1 US collector has recommended him to me directly... Just because the French first made Champagne, doesn't mean they are the only ones that can do it...or even the best at it. And just because someone didn't do an apprenticeship in Japan doesn't mean they aren't a master of the craft. But listen, I am not defending my choice one way or the other...I am no expert...and I haven't gotten the blade back yet...But it seems to me that some people here are a little "elitist" in their thinking, and are maybe trying to defend/justify their overly expensive Japanese done polishes to themselves, when they could have gotten the same done in their own country...for less money...since they wouldn't have to pay all of the crazy Japanese fees. Or they could have gotten it done by an accomplished "amateur" instead of paying a premium for a name. Anyway, if someone here would like to see pictures of the finished job, I'd be happy to post them for "approval." If not, I thank everyone for your time.

Well I hope that is not what I am paying for...but I think that is what you are inferring. :? Either way, I think I am doing a good job of taking care of this blade, and I have confidence that it will turn out great...or at least as good as it can be. Next step...a new saya and tsuka...I contacted Nihonto Antiques in Long Island (New York), and am waiting to hear back on pricing for the work.

OK excellent info. Thanks. How much is a complete rebuild of the tsuka going to cost? Again, nothing too fancy. And again...I don't think Mr. Hofhine is an amateur at all, even if he didn't do an apprenticeship. He still uses 100% traditional methods...and his "before and after" photos speak for themself (according to some on this site, and on other sites). I am still quite intimidated by this whole process...and nihonto in general... -Dave

Understood and thanks for the input! Although, I don't think Mr. Hofhine is an amateur at all, even if he didn't do an apprenticeship. He still uses 100% traditional methods...and his "before and after" photos speak for themself (according to some on this site, and on other sites). I completely understand why one would do a finish polish last, however, I would rather get it all done in one step...and just make sure the saya maker, and I, are extra careful with the finished polish. Any thoughts on who could make a saya and rebuild/remake the tsuka? Maybe someone close to New York City? And how much should it cost? Thanks! -Dave

OK great. Thanks for the info! It makes total sense that a shirasaya and a tsuka are constructed together. Any referrals as to who would do the job?? I don't think I want anything fancy...probably something similiar to WWII style...since that is how I best relate to the history of the blade. I know, it's not fancy, but I think it is what I want. And maybe they could re-use the handguard (tsuba) and butt-cap (Kashira?) ?? Someone mentioned I may need a new copper Habaki also?? What is wrong with the one that is currently on the blade? Will that not work with a new saya and tsuka? Sorry for my ignorance...trying to learn!

Well, he is very strict about packaging...I had to package it up very carefully and very securely for shipping...I followed his instructions and made a very sturdy and protected board mounting...so I am not worried. http://www.swordpolisher.com/Shipping.html

Thanks for the comments and interest everyone. I will post pics soon. I am definitely not be putting the blade back into the old WWII shirasaya...it is very dirty inside and has a lot of rust remnants. I don't know if I will get a shirasaya made just yet...mainly because I don't want it sent away again. I will do it eventually but is there a way I should keep it protected until then? I will definitely take very good care of it. And any ideas on a tsuka rebuilder? Maybe one in NYC? Will a tsuka be tough to make since the tang is so deformed from rust?

So a good update - An email from David the polisher... So he is continuing to the full polish now! I will post pics as soon as it gets shipped back to me. Next step...finding someone to rebuild/repair the tsuka...Anyone know of someone in New York City???

Hi all. I haven't posted in a while, but here are some close up pics of the blade. The "macro" close up setting of my camera, along with the flash, is probably making the damage look a lot worse than it is...but there is definitely some shallow, yet smooth, pitting on the blade. No cracks or fatal damage that I can tell though. The scratches seem to be magnified a lot as well, and I assume they are scratches caused by the inside of the Saya (sheath). I don't keep it in there anymore, don't worry. For now the blade is well oiled with mineral oil, awaiting its full polish in about 11 months. The polisher is David Hofhine. http://www.swordpolisher.com/ He was reccommended by a few very well respected members (and sword collectors) over at the gun/military forum ar15.com - And his work on facebook and his website look great. He says he uses all traditional Japanese methods, and has even re-polished blades that came back from Japan and weren't done well. So I trust him, but that is all I really have to go on.

Oh I totally agree. The blade has a great deal of historical and sentimental value to me, and the fact that I know how it was captured during WWII makes it all the more interesting. I have no problem paying for a full polish if it is going to improve the sword at all, since it means a lot to me. It is, afterall, a true nihonto blade made by an accomplished swordsmith over 200 years ago...I feel like it deserves to be restored. I just hope the polisher can make it shine again...but I have no expectations since the blade is pitted in some areas. I assume pitting in the blade is difficult to remove and polish out? And yes, the polisher I am using comes highly recommended, and does it all by hand using traditional nihonto methods.

According to the translations I got on this site, it was made around 1780 by Tegarayama Ujishige. It was an older family blade, brought to war by a Japanese officer in WWII. That is why the Nambu Type 14 pistol is in the photo...the sword and pistol were both captured from an officer on board the Tachibana Maru - a ship carrying weapons and soldiers, but was posing as a medical ship. So I believe it is an older, traditionally made sword, not a mass produced wartime blade. Here is the full story: My grandfather, who was in the air force, was best friends with one of the chief surgeons in the Pacific theater during WWII, Lt. Col. Eugene F. Melaville, who gave him this sword and pistol after the war. He always said it was captured from a Japanese ship, but we never knew the whole story until I did some research and found a collection of war diaries at the US Army Department of Medical History website. To paraphrase the war diary story below: Around August 6th 1945, a Japanese hospital ship called the Tachibana Maru was captured by two US destroyers. Shortly after, a US boarding party discovered that the ship was carrying 1,600 Japanese soldiers and tons of weapons and ordinance. The ship was part of a last ditch effort to repel Allied forces. The diary describes the capture of the ship, and probably how Lt.Col. Mellaville captured the sword and pistol (bolded) http://history.amedd.army.mil/booksdocs ... pter13.htm ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––- Morotai Island, Indonesia, Tuesday, 7 August A Japanese hospital ship was captured in the Banda Sea and brought into Morotai Island, Indonesia. With Col. Hollis Batchelder of the U.S.S. Mercy to assist, I was dispatched to Morotai by special plane, arriving at Morotai at 1600 hours. We reported to Maj. Gen. Harry H. Johnson, Commanding General, 93d Infantry Division. He is National Guard from Houston, Tex., and a forceful pleasant Texan who gave us real southern hospitality, and as good a steak dinner with hot biscuits as I have ever had. Colonel Jackson is his chief of staff. Wednesday, 8 August Went with the division surgeon, Colonel Melaville [Lt. Col. Eugene F. Melaville, MC], to see the port director, Commander Harrison, who gave us permission to board the Japanese hospital ship, Tachi Bana Maru. This ship had been intercepted in the Banda Sea on 3 August. A destroyer flotilla had gone out for this purpose. Verne Lippard [Lt. Col. (later Col.) Vernon W. Lippard, MC] just came up to tell me the radio announced that the Japanese have accepted the Potsdam ultimatum. 38Medical Department, United States Army. Cold Injury, Ground Type. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1958, appendix H, p. 533.886 After boarding the Japanese hospital ship with a walkie-talkie [radio], they [the boarding party] found contraband and summoned an armed boarding party to take charge. There were so many Japanese (1,600) on board that they did not dare go below to search. The exterior of the ship was marked according to the rules of the Geneva Convention. The patients were sleeping on mats spread on top of the cargo, which was mostly contraband and consisted of boxes and bales that were packed with rifles, machineguns, mortars, grenades, and ammunition. Boxes were marked with large red crosses. There were no seriously ill patients aboard, and all personnel walked off the ship. About a dozen were examined on the dock and sent to the 155th Station Hospital with diagnoses of beri beri, malaria, and fever of unknown origin. There were no wounded, and there was only one surgical patient with an infected leg ulcer. The patients, about 1,500, were said to be the slightly ill. On the whole, they appeared healthy and well nourished. We visited a compound where 97 officers were interned. They were polite, said they were satisfied with their care, and that no one was sick. A visit to another compound of enlisted men showed several sick men. The chief surgeon of the ship said that he did not know that the boxes and bales contained contraband. No records were available to prove whether these had been bona fide patients before embarkation, and the confusion on shipboard was such that records could not be located. Looting by sailors undoubtedly caused part of the confusion. The ship was in a wretched sanitary condition. The stench was terrific. Clearly, this is a violation of the Geneva Convention. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––- So I assume after boarding to inspect the Tachibana Maru’s crew, Lt. Col. Malaville “confiscated” the sword and pistol from a Japanese officer. I can only imagine him touring the ship amongst all the confusion and looting sailors, and claiming this prize for himself. -Dave

Hello everyone. I have this sword which means a great deal to me, but it is pretty badly rusted and shallowly pitted in some areas. Here is the "mei" This is the translation I received on this site: Here are a couple wide shots of the blade: Anyway, I sent these photos to my soon to be polisher (12 months more to wait), and he says it may be tricky to remove all of the rust and pitting, but he's still willing to give it a try...What do you all think? Will a full restoration and polish for $78 an inch be worth it? Will it do this blade justice and really improve it? Or will I be disappointed? Thanks! -Dave

Hi everyone. Been a while since I updated this thread... So I am still on the waiting list for David Hofhine to polish this sword. I intend to do a full polish to bring out the true beauty of this piece. I do believe everyone here correctly identified the "mei" as "Banshu Tegarayama Fujiwara UJISHIGE" I found this website http://www.japanszwaard.nl/uk/zwaarden-consignatie.html that has a sword with the exact same mei...It is the 3rd sword down on that page...and all the characters appear to match mine! Here is a photo of their sword's mei that was translated by them as "Banshu Tegarayama Fujiwara UJISHIGE" Here is my sword's mei: It looks like they indeed match! Even the rust covered parts are easier to make out when compared to a matching mei...So it looks like "mdiddy" here was correct in IDing the sword as 3rd Generation Ujishige. Anyway, I look forward to posting photos of the finished polished product in a year or so!

Haven't posted an update in a while...but I figured I would let everyone know that I am on the waiting list to get the sword professionally polished. More than 1 person recommended this person to do it: http://www.swordpolish.com/ ...so I am now on his 2 year waiting list...a long time to wait, but I hear he does the job right. A practical polish/restoration is around $38 an inch, and a full polish and restoration is $78 an inch...not sure which one I will do yet. How much does it usually cost to restore/replace the Tsuka?

Haha thanks for the offer Doug. And thanks for the info Bazza...I can't wait for my trip. So regarding the restoration of the sword, how do you all feel about this polisher? He was recommended to me by a couple people... http://home.att.net/~hofhine/ He seems to know what he's talking about...and seems to be quite accomplished. His price for a full hand polish and restoration is $78 an inch, or a "foundation polish/martial arts practical polish" is $38 an inch. This does not include the restoration of the tsuka/tsuba I don't think. Thanks all.

Thanks for the info Doug! I will look into those tourist sights for sure! I can't wait to see tokyo and okinawa...I am sure it will be a different and interesting world. No worries about being teachy...it helps a lot...I really don't know much about Nihonto at all...But I am learning fast. I will try to take better photos with better lighting very soon. Thanks again.

Hi all...Sorry for the delayed response...I have been busy travelling. On a side note, I will be visiting Tokyo and Okinawa in March...Should be a great time. Any recommendations of things to do/see? Any sword related things I should see? I definitely plan on seeing the WWII sights in Okinawa (bunkers, suicide cliffs etc.) How about good places to eat? I do like sushi a lot. So a little more info...The blade is approx. 23 inches or around 58-59 centimeters. The tip appears to be in good shape...no cracks or chips of any kind. This is the mid section...despite the rust, the blade has no chips whatsoever, and is still very very sharp...it slices through paper towel or thin cotton towels every time I apply mineral oil.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this translation? So what do I have here? I am never going to sell it ofcourse...but is this a common sword? a rare one? worth anything now? worth anything if restored and polished? Thanks again to everyone.

I think the flash of the camera is making it look a lot shinier and "cleaner" than it really is. It is pretty much completely brown and rust colored still, but now you can see some more of the characters. I really just concentrated on the very loose flaky rust, which didn't take much work at all to crush off...I don't think any damage was done. I don't plan on cleaning any more though...I don't think any of the other characters were preserved under all that pitting and rust anyway. Mdiddy - Thanks for the info and translation so far! Can you provide me with an internet link to that research? Or is there a book I can buy to match up the markings? Thanks all. Edited to add: This looks VERY similar to my "mei" - http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/wakizashi/08660.html

As far as I can tell, there is nothing on the other side of the tang...That side is also pretty evenly rusted, but I can't even see a hint of a "mei." On second thought...let me work on the other side as well...maybe there is a mei under that rust...

Ok so I spent a few hours each night for the past few nights crushing away with a plastic hammer and mineral oil. A lot of the crusty active rust has come off, revealing some of the "mei." It was pretty amazing...I would smack an area of the tang a bunch of times, and with each smack, the character would come clearer and clearer... I am having some trouble revealing the bottom 1 or 2 characters (not sure how many there are under there). No matter how hard I smack the bottom of the tang, no rust comes off, and no characters come clear. Also, I am not sure if there is a character at the very top of the "mei" - Do we know how many characters there SHOULD be? Anyway, here is my progress so far... Is there a character on the very top here? I can't tell really. Do we know how many characters should there be? BEFORE:

Ah ok thanks for the additional info! It looks like my family friend Lt. Col. Melaville was called to board the ship on Aug. 8th in the port of Moratai Indonesia because he was the division surgeon and was told to investigate the so called "sick and injured" soldiers. The Tachibana maru was supposed to be a medical ship, but they found an arsenal of weapons and soldiers. Really interesting story for sure.