mike yeon Posted October 1, 2007 Report Posted October 1, 2007 Hello Everyone, I recently picked up a blade in gunto mounts that had a wooden tag which I assume is a surrender tag of some sort. The blade is a very nice koto Kaga Ietsugu katana (ubu/signed/69.9CM nagasa). I'm selling the shin-gunto koshirae (not a fan of military mounts) but was curious as to what the tag said. I would very much appreciate it if someone can help me translate the information. Much thanks in advance. mike Quote
mike yeon Posted October 2, 2007 Author Report Posted October 2, 2007 Also, here's a picture of the gunto koshirae that came with the blade. It'll be up on eBay this week. If anyone is interested, please feel free to PM me with questions or an offer. It's in good condition. Some of the olive paint is worn off. The handle wrap is in great condition. No loseness or fraying. There is a wooden tsunagi for the koshirae. I know very little about wartime fittings but I feel it's a good example. Not sure what it should/will fetch in auction. Thanks for any interest. mike Quote
Nobody Posted October 2, 2007 Report Posted October 2, 2007 I would very much appreciate it if someone can help me translate the information. [address and name] 富田林町青葉丘 (Tondabayasi-cho Aobaoka) 濱谷輝雄 (Hamaya Teruo) [notes] 家宝品に付き特に ? 考慮 ? 下 ? シ - As this is a family heirloom, please handle with care. （駿河）家次 - (Suruga) Ietsugu Quote
k morita Posted October 3, 2007 Report Posted October 3, 2007 Moriyama sama, 家宝ニ付キ特ニ御考慮被下度シ( kaho ni tsuki toku ni go-koryo kuda-sare tashi ). Quote
Nobody Posted October 3, 2007 Report Posted October 3, 2007 Thanks Morita san, Now I can see the all characters after your reading. :D Quote
Darcy Posted October 3, 2007 Report Posted October 3, 2007 I want to say thank you to both of you for your generous translation assistance. It's always been very hard for us, and it is nice to have real expertise for us all to rely on. It's educational for everyone. Quote
Brian Posted October 3, 2007 Report Posted October 3, 2007 Indeed. I can only agree with what Darcy wrote. It is much appreciated by all on the forum, and from the pm's and emails I receive, we are all indebted and grateful to all those of you who work so hard sharing the knowledge you have, whether it be languages, metalwork or research. These thanks also go out to all of you out there who assist with any info you provide or with the actual running of the board itself. Brian Quote
pcfarrar Posted October 3, 2007 Report Posted October 3, 2007 I'm selling the shin-gunto koshirae (not a fan of military mounts) but was curious as to what the tag said. I presume you will keep the tag with the sword as it would be shame to seperate the two. It is the only link to the swords past and a possible avenue for research into past ownership. Quote
mike yeon Posted October 3, 2007 Author Report Posted October 3, 2007 Thank you very much Moriyama san and Morita san. I agree with Darcy and Brian. You gentlemen add so much value to this forum in many ways. I am going to keep the tag Peter and try and research the information. Spoke with Mr. Benson yest, sending the blade off to him for a polish. I'm fairly certain that this blade is the kaga aoe ietsugu. Not sure which generation but the suguha hamon makes me lean towards the nidai. Thank you again all. I appreciate the assistance. mike Quote
Stephen Posted October 3, 2007 Report Posted October 3, 2007 drop me a line on selling the mounts, i may buy them on the outside chance you may want to sell the tag latter...i agree with Pete they should stay together. Did we ever see the blade?? would like to see it as well,,,not sure if you showed it on anoter post or not. Quote
mike yeon Posted October 3, 2007 Author Report Posted October 3, 2007 Hi Stephen, I'm likely going to hang on to the tag. As for the mounts, Eric M. (cadelaria2007) is selling them for me on eBay. I purchased the blade from him and he's offered to help me sell the koshirae. He's actually picking them up in an hour or so. If you're still interested minus the tag, please PM me with an offer. Here are a few pictures Eric took of the blade. Looks a lot better in hand. Everyone, please feel free to drop your comments/thoughts/opinions! mike Quote
mike yeon Posted October 3, 2007 Author Report Posted October 3, 2007 Out of polish and tired. We know it's out of polish, thus sending it to Bob. The blade is no spring chicken but it's far from tired. What makes you say that? mike Quote
Stephen Posted October 3, 2007 Report Posted October 3, 2007 any tiredness, to my eyes it does not look that old...more like shinshinto, say hi to Eric for me. NOT SWORD RELATED on the outside chance got any playoff tK for the Yanks???? :lol: Quote
mike yeon Posted October 3, 2007 Author Report Posted October 3, 2007 Hey Stephen, You're right, the blade isn't tired. Not sure how Jacques could come to that conclusion... It's definitely koto though. The patinia on the nakago is glossy black. Came out lighter due to the flash and lighting. The upper area of the nakago is not as dark because the hamachi was moved up about an inch. As for tickets, I'll see what I can do. No promises but let me know when you'll be in nyc, and let's hope the Yanks will be playing all month. I'll definitely say hello to Eric for you. Good guy to deal with. mike Quote
mike yeon Posted October 3, 2007 Author Report Posted October 3, 2007 I forgot to mention, another koto indicatior is that it's got fumbari like a tree stump... mike Quote
mike yeon Posted October 3, 2007 Author Report Posted October 3, 2007 The koshirae is up if anyone is interested. As mentioned, Eric M. is hosting the auction on my behalf. ebay item: 270172781521 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0172781521 Thanks. mike Quote
mike yeon Posted October 3, 2007 Author Report Posted October 3, 2007 Thanks for the link Brian. Quote
Jacques Posted October 3, 2007 Report Posted October 3, 2007 Hi, Why i say that this blade is tired? it seems to my eyes that it was some suspect zone near the yokote and on the first pic in the middle of the blade like loose grain, also the shinogi-ji has ware. I should like a pic of the whole blade and one of the nakago without the habaki. You ask for some judgement, i give mine and it's only mine. Quote
mike yeon Posted October 3, 2007 Author Report Posted October 3, 2007 Hi Jacques, Kaga blades and blades of ura nihon schools in general exhibit a coarse/rough hada called hadatatsu. It can look loose. There's a good example of a Kashu blade on Moses B's site that exhibits hadatatsu. Shinogi ware also do not indicate a tired blade. There are many fine blades, koto, shinto, shin-shinto that exhibit ware. There is no shintetsu showing so it's healthy enough for its age. It's difficult to judge a blade's "tiredness" through pictures. One must really see it in hand. mike Quote
Jacques Posted October 4, 2007 Report Posted October 4, 2007 Hi, It's difficult to judge a blade's "tiredness" through pictures. One must really see it in hand. Right, mostly when pictures are not so good :lol: Quote
mike yeon Posted October 4, 2007 Author Report Posted October 4, 2007 Don't blame pictures, blame lack of knowledge. We're all students here. :lol: mike Quote
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