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Showing results for tags 'katana'.
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I went and did the thing that everyone tells you to avoid doing. I had new koshirae made for a katana. I used a set of tosogu from the Edo Period. The Fuchi Kashira is signed by Yoshikawa Mumemitsu. The Tsuba and Menuki are unsigned but the Menuki are attributed as Denjo by the NBTHK. I’m calling the koshirae “The Chicken.”
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Hello, Am I correct in thinking that this attribution is 美 濃 千 手 院 Mino Senjuin? Thanks for your input!
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So, I've just purchased my first 日本刀, forged by Tanba no Kami Terukado, an early-Edo period smith. As he's my entry point into Japanese swords, I'd like to find out more about him, the blades he produced and (eventually) learn to compare / appraise his work in contrast with other smiths / periods. This is purely amateur research for my own hobby use, I've got no commercial interests and won't be selling anything etc. Any help in corrections, further / primary sources and examples of his work would be greatly appreciated. Profile Considered as a "leading Mino smith" in "The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords" by Kokan Nagayama. "He is listed as working in Mino 1658-1684. He was also considered one of the Zenjo smiths and listed as Seki-Kaji-Toryo ” master of all Seki smiths”. The Tegai influence is easily recognized within this work. " - source: https://nihontoantiques.com/project/wakazashi-sword-fss-697/ Signatures Zenjou no Fujiwara Kanekado 丹波大掾藤原照門 (Tanba no Daijou Fujiwara Terukado) 丹波守藤原照門 (Tanba no Kami Fujiwara Terukado) 1659 on? Together with a few other variations. Active years 1658-84? School Yoshisada (Mino) Ratings Hawley's: 60 points Toko Taikan: ¥2.8M Fujishiro: "Jo Saku" -source: https://nihontoclub.com/smiths/TER16 Notable owners Isami Kondo (a Tokugawa Samurai, a member of the "Shinsengumi", later executed after capture). - source: https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/shop/product/antique-Japanese-sword-katana-signed-by-terukado-nbthk-tokubetsu-hozon-certificate/
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Hi guys, I am looking for an original WW2-era Japanese leather Shin-Gunto 'combat' sword scabbard covering. The wooden saya it will go onto is 26" long, (66cm). The attachment ring is 3" down from the scabbard throat (7.62cm). So the cover would need to be slightly longer than this to fit properly. The cover doesn't need to be in perfect condition. Just looking for one that will display well. Also would like it to still have all or most of it's stitching intact. The tusba is an old Edo period solid iron piece, and is not cut out for a retaining strap. So no need for the cover to have the little brass snaps on it. Pics are from the auction. Just PM me here if you have one to sell or trade, or know someone who might. Thanks!
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Hello again gentlemen! This is a blade that I recently acquired locally. At first, before cleaning it, I thought it was going to be another relatively young blade that has simply gone through a world war and was brought back by a veteran. Beneath all the cosmoline or brake grease (and grass clippings), came a blade with no edge damage and a surprisingly interesting hamon. The blade is 27 1/4" with a very nice o-kissaki point. It has two mekugi-ana, of which both appear to be drifted. The fittings are somewhat plain but have some hint at having some kind of applied ornamentation (cloisonne?) having existed though it is mostly gone, some manner of white flecks that have mostly rubbed off. The flecks appear on the kashira, tsuba, and kojiri. The tsuba, although plain appears to have a shakudo plug in it. After cleaning it, I was impressed and made an offer which was accepted. When I brought this to my local Token Kai meeting, neither I nor Dan could figure out what exactly we were looking at. We spent a good while pouring over the book he brought, trying to narrow its manufacture down, to no avail. There are also a few spots where the hamon lifts up beyond the normal pattern. One notable oddity was that on the omote side of the blade, about 3" up from the hakabi is a set of three circles in a triangular arrangement above the hamon. But most noticeable of all is the CRAZY amount of kaeri. The hardening goes at least down half to two-thirds of the mune towards the habaki. The mune width itself is also rather narrow compared to many other blades I've seen. Its not quite a cormorant neck shape, but it is nearly diamond-shape. I am unsure if the blade exhibits true utsuri or not, but there appears to be evidence for it. I am also unsure if the blade is simply suriage or o-suriage. The sori is interesting too. Therefore, for your perusal, is this blade! My asks are: Probable age/era of production School Possible smiths Ideas for the reason of the strange hamon/kaeri Suriage or o-suriage As always, any and all help and opinions are appreciated! This one has our local TK completely stumped, so here it is! The images are arranged with a link to the imgur resolution, followed by what is a lower resolution image. https://imgur.com/Hj1GCSN https://imgur.com/8561qnC https://imgur.com/TQlpT4f https://imgur.com/9Gz77jo https://imgur.com/iw8vMdz Evidence of what I believe is significant kaeri: https://imgur.com/tpTt2rp https://imgur.com/UKeumwT https://imgur.com/39iTzDt https://imgur.com/BF5K2Dr https://imgur.com/5FTx1sT https://imgur.com/aKDB56h https://imgur.com/3GrrcF9 https://imgur.com/YCNiIaV https://imgur.com/swcjM2C https://imgur.com/mEYn8O8 The image showing the three circles: https://imgur.com/ULFj0N4 Boshi: https://imgur.com/EibDmsK Evidence of utsuri: https://imgur.com/0l2X34o https://imgur.com/MBxdYvx More kaeri: https://imgur.com/d9a1IcQ Thanks again gentlemen! As always, very appreciated.
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I know we have a separate topic of Show Us Your High Class Gunto. But many WW2 swords smiths have made nice traditionally made blades from 1876-1945. With members like "mecox" doing spectacular research on WW2 sword smiths, I think this new topic could throw some light on some sword smiths and their work, and hopefully kindle interest in the blade, not just the Koshirae. You never know, we may find some rare or poorly documented swords and smiths. If your posts could be supported by photos, oshigata, descriptions, and any other relevant information, I think a great reference topic could be established. OK, so here is a contribution to kick things off.... A (Mano) MASAYASU medium-grade grade gendaito, no date no stamps, in early '98 mounts. Mei reads Bishu ju Masayasu. The hada is flowing masame/mokume, with choji gunome midare hamon. I only hope there are better photographers out there! So I would ask the forum administrators to let this thread run, and see where it goes, a lot of time is spent discussing Chinese fakes, and machine made Showa-to, and I am sure this topic will help raise intertest in Gendai. P.S. Hamon looks Suguha in photos, but the Keisho polish disguises the features, easily seen in the hand.
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For Sale: $8750 (plus shipping and PayPal or credit card fee of 4.4%) 1 antique Japanese WW2 Yasukuni Shrine sword by Kagiyama Yasunori available. Yasunori was one of the founders of the Yasukuni Shrine Forge. This is a Special Order katana by Yasunori. This rare Special Order Yasukuni Shrine sword would make a fine acquisition for any collection. This sword is of special importance. The ura/inscription on the nakago reads ‘Commemorating the 2600th year of the founding of the Empire for the Aihara family and their succeeding generations’. This sword was made on a 'Lucky Day in January 1940'. This sword is of an unusual length for Yasukuni Shrine swords. This sword measures 27 9/16” from blade tip to the notch (mune) in the blade spine. A Yasukuni Shrine sword with these features is very rare among Yasukuni blades. The kabutogane has the mon of the Asano Samurai clan. The hamon is more complex than suguha—there are waved features within the hamon. The tsuba has the harp stamp associated with Yasukuni-to. The saya has been protected by the leather combat cover—the saya lacquer looks to be quite perfect under the cover. CONDITION: The blade is in original Japanese polish. There are no nicks. The hamon and boshi are perfectly healthy. The scabbard lock functions perfectly, and the silk sarute is still intact. This is an exceptional and rare Yasukuni Shrine sword.
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Good afternoon all, I have acquired this Katana and would like some assistance in transalting the mei. I have tried to have a go and think the first kanji is Hira and the last one Butsu. Also I think the first one on the saya is either Mitsu or San. Any help would be most appreciated It is not in very good condition and there are lots of corrosion on the blade. Blade is 34" from tip to tip. The pictures of the hamon are all that I can get. The odd thing about this is the suspension ring on the saya is opposite to others I have. Many thanks, Paul
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I'm selling a polished Koto Katana from my collection. The blade shinogi-zukuri with iori-mune and ko-kissaki. ubu nakago mumei with single mekugi-ana, katte-sagari yasurime and ha-agari kuri-jiri. No doubt a Koto periode blade. I would think likely attribute dto Bizen or maybe Bungo whens ent for Shinsa. Itame-gokoro hada thgat ius becoming masame in places with nice and vivid gunome hamon that features some sunagaeshi in nie. Very healthy ko-maru boshi with hakikake and kaeri. House in a Honki Shirasaya. Dimensions Nagasa: 66.5 cm; Moto-haba: 2.9 cm; Saki-haba: 1.6 cm Price Euro 3200.00 inlcuding worldwide shipping or personal pick up possible. Located in Europe so no import tax for European buyers. -
Made by Masahiro. He was at the Takayama Naval Prison Forge. He used prison labor to do his polishing. He allowed the prisoners to sign the nakagos as well. LOTS of kanji on the nakago. Masahiro also had a few other trademark features on his swords—his early swords had a ‘pinched’ handle for a better grip. And he had an extra thick ‘snubnose’ kissaki/sword tip for durability. An additional RARE feature on this sword—note the corded then lacquered saya (or the corded look could even have been milled into the wood). Beautiful! With Naval tassel. Rare sword. $3750 Postage and PayPal fee in addition. —Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com -
Hey guys I would like to have your opinion on the last arrival in my collection, the blade has no paper, the nakago has a very dark rust, very black, is quite deep, which does not stand out in the photos, it seems ubu. the blade has a rather impressive hamon, hard to transcribe in the photos unfortunately. the hada appears to be an itame-hada. For the tradition and the time I have some ideas, but I am waiting to hear your opinions ps: sorry for the bad photos Size Cutting Edge Length 62.3cm(24.53in) Sword Full length 83.4cm(32.83in) Saki-haba 2.14cm(0.84in) Saki-gasane 0.54cm(0.21in) Moto-haba 3.16cm(1.24in) Moto-gasane 0.65cm(0.26in) Shirasaya full length 89.5cm(35.24in) Sori curve 2.3cm(0.91in) Max
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www.StCroixBlades.com has been updated with new listings. https://stcroixblades.com/shop/Japanese-swords/ —Matthew Brice
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Exceptional condition Army kyu-gunto sword with canvas combat cover. Combat covers are not often seen on kyu-gunto mounts swords. The combat cover is in EXCELLENT condition. The blade is an arsenal blade with bohi, and acid-etched yakiba. This is a combat sword. The backstrap has a 3-5-3 kiri mon. A fine piece, in exceptional condition. $1550 Plus postage and PayPal fee. —Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com
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Signed Tenzoshan Naval Forge sword, dated January 1943. Sharkskin saya. EXCEPTIONAL condition. $3500 Postage & Paypal fee charged. Ship anywhere in the world. Thank you! —Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com
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I am looking for help translating a Presentation on a sword I have. I suppose I might as well ask for comments on the Mei as well. I have it as Fujiwara Kuni Tadamichi. The gentleman who read it commented that the Fujiwara should not be before kuni, and the michi kanji is nonstandard. Those who can help, I kindly thank you in advance! —Matt
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Hey all, I’ve been slowly making a little progress in learning more about this sword I inherited. Through the efforts of others in this group, I have tried to put together a sort of profile of the sword and it’s maker. Any corrections and insight would be greatly appreciated. The signature reads “Mitsunaga” who i did find listed in one of the publications as a gunto smith from the Seki province. I’m told his real name was Noguchi Heiichi and he was born July 5th 1918. The list mentioned that the smiths of this area produced both “high and low quality” blades. Generally referred to as “showato” (is that correct?), I found a list that categorized these swords by the quality of their forging. That led me to start to classify each characteristic of the blade. Here’s what I’ve learned so far based on some identifying guides others have made. 1. It seems to be a Shinogi-zukuri shape 2. it had a chū kissaki 3. it has an Ihori style spine 4. If I am seeing it correctly, it’s possibly a omoru boshi 5. if there is one (I’m too untrained to be sure) it would be a masame style hada 6. it’s faint, but there seems to be a present sugu hamon. Oil or water quenched, I don’t know. with this information and the list of 9 grades of quality of these kinds of swords. My best guess would be a “koa-isshin mantetsu-to” showato sword. In other words, Manchurian steel that was partially forged, partially engineered. It would have been differentially hardened, with water as a quenching agent. That is IF I am correct that it possesses both a hada and hamon. I know there’s a size limit for photo uploads so I will try posting some here. I might link to a drive folder for more pics. drive folder with all pics: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-Vh65R2UlgVjcW7VM__7627m5QL_DJ8Y
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$4,500 OBO: 1 very rare South Manchuria Railroad Company Mantetsu World War II Japanese Samurai sword. This South Manchuria Railway Company katana would make an important addition to any collection. The nakago/tang is marked with a rare railroad rail symbol. The reverse side is dated. Here is an excerpt from an article, 'Some of the mantetsu blades made in the Dairen Railroad factory may bear the stamp of the Manchuria Railroad company. These were made in the late 1930's and are considered relatively rare.' This sword was made in 1944. It has the Dairen stamp--with the rare railroad rail stamp beneath it. This stamp is exceedingly rare. The blade measures 26 3/8" (67.0 cm) from blade tip to notch in the blade spine. Condition: This vintage World War II Japanese Mantetsu sword is in good condition. The boshi is visible on both sides of the kissaki (blade tip section). The blade edge is excellent with no mentionable nick. There are occasional tiny finish scratches, and some staining. There is some light pitting on the kissaki. This sword will polish beautifully. The blade is perfectly straight. The fittings are excellent. The habaki and the lock release button are gone. A replacement habaki can be made--let me if you want help arranging that.
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Hello, I'm selling some if my nihontos today, I have a signed wakizashi from the edo period, a katana from the muromachi period, and a cut down katana from the koto period, the wakizashi has a shirasaya. Koto katana- 1400$ Muromachi katana- 900$ Wakizashi- 950$ Price negotiable
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Hi Everyone, Mario here... I wanted to share something with you all because I don't know who else might appreciate it like I do. I purchased my first Nihonto, a couple years ago, and slowly have been working on collecting the fittings to complete the koshirae I plan to build. I found a tsuba that I like, and I also found a quality fuchi kashira set that I really, really like... But I've been struggling to find Menuki to bring it all together. Long story short, I gave up searching and I hired my wife to make some for me. Attached you'll see the wax carvings that will be used for the mold. Once received, we'll go ahead and complete this using mostly silver, and some gold to finish both pieces. Anyway, I just wanted to share, I'll also post pics once they are all done. If anyone else out there was having trouble finding specific fittings, making your own is always an option! -Mario -
Finally some good news from Japan! The two blades (a Katana and a Wakizashi/Sun Nobi Tanto) that I had in for Shinsa since June have both passed for Hozon. I have to get some restoration work done on the koshirae of one of them, and also have to get a shirasaya made as it does not have one. So it will probably be a few more months before I actually have them in hand. I don't have a full report on the details of the Shinsa. I only know that they have passed at this time. I suppose that it will take another month or two before the Origami are actually produced. I have never gone through this process before, and really had no idea how long things take to happen. I will be curious to see the results for the Katana especially as it had two sets of older kicho papers. It was judged as Fujishima the first time and judged as Shitahara the second time.
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Hello. I could use some help translating this signature. Seems to be more on the nakago than usual. Thank you to anyone that can help! —Matt
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I have some books I am looking to sell so I can fund another project. All Pages are in good condition, without issues. Pictures are available. All prices include UK Postage. Books available are; Military Swords of Japan 1868-1945- Fuller and Gregory Hardback- £45 (Dedication written on inside page) Japanese Military and Civil Swords and Dirks- Fuller and Gregory Hardback- £140 Swords of Imperial Japan 1868-1945 Cyclopedia Edition- Jim Dawson- £140 Japanese Sword Surrender Tags- R Fuller- £80 The Yasukuni Swords, Rare Weapons of Japan 1933-1945- Tom Kishida-£45 The Japanese Sword, A Comprehensive Guide- Kanzan Sato- £30 (Some fading to the spine) Modern Japanese Swords and Swordsmiths 1868 to Present- Leon & Hiroko Kapp, Yoshindo Yoshihara- £30 (some fading to spine) Lethal Elegance, The art of Samurai Sword Fittings- Joe Earle £15 Facts and Fundamentals Of Japanese Swords, A Collectors Guide- Nobuo Nakahara- £30 The Craft Of The Japanese Sword- Leon & Hiroko Kapp, Yoshindo Yoshihara- £25 The Connoisseurs Book Of Japanese Swords- Kokan Nagayama- £30 Samurai, A Military History and Samurai, The World of the Warrior- S.R Turnbull- £25 (Selling as a pair) Thank you.
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1 traditionally-made Japanese WW2 gendai sword available. This fine antique Japanese sword would make an important acquisition for any collection. The blade measures 24 3/32” from blade tip to notch in the blade spine. The nakago is signed ‘Nagamitsu’. The hamon is complex. Condition: The blade has an occasional minor scratch. There are a couple of tiny nail-catcher type nicks in the edge—they are so small they are hard to see. The blade is in fair polish. The hamon and boshi are perfectly healthy. —Matt
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Hello. Could someone please assist with translation of the second kanji Aki_____? And if possible, a translation of his given name as well? Thank you! —Matt
