JonP Posted May 30, 2012 Report Posted May 30, 2012 Any insights into when this sword might have been made etc. The writing translates as a number or "Manroku is an old word that signifies propriety, justice, or fairness; Kogo dai jiten (Shogakukan 1983) 1547." It certainly is beautiful now it has been polished. I'm having problems uploading more than 1 image so will try and post seperatly. Quote
JonP Posted May 30, 2012 Author Report Posted May 30, 2012 Another image of Man roku. Sorry can't get it to upload images. I'm happy to email them to anyone at aiki@paradise.net.nz Shame as it is such a beauty. Quote
Jorgensen Posted May 30, 2012 Report Posted May 30, 2012 Have resized and posting these pics on behalf of Jon according to above posts. Quote
JonP Posted May 31, 2012 Author Report Posted May 31, 2012 Thanks very much for that help posting the images. I am very happy with polish I got from Kam at jingokustudios.com The detail that has come through just amazes me. Hopefully someone might have some clever thoughts on it. Cheers Jon Quote
kusunokimasahige Posted May 31, 2012 Report Posted May 31, 2012 For those of you not knowing the polisher : http://www.jigokustudios.com/polishingnihonto.html I wont comment on this polish. KM Quote
cabowen Posted May 31, 2012 Report Posted May 31, 2012 About all you could say is that it is shiny.... Quote
Brian Posted May 31, 2012 Report Posted May 31, 2012 Directing my thoughts on the sword itself.... Might be looking at Mino school....Shinto maybe? Very tentative call. I don't think the kanji are something to get caught up with. They look very poorly done, maybe by an ex-owner who wanted to name his sword? Not the name of a smith. Brian Quote
JonP Posted May 31, 2012 Author Report Posted May 31, 2012 Thanks Brian, something constructive at last. I suspect you are right about the Kanji as it does seem quite crudely done. That some historical owner might have written this name as maybe a sentiment into his beliefs is what I find the most interesting. As a martial artist of nearly 30 years the impression I get from the feel and heft of this sword is battle. It is not for decoration it's for cutting off your enemies heads. So getting caught up in the polish is far from my interest. Thanks again, Jon Quote
Brian Posted May 31, 2012 Report Posted May 31, 2012 Jon (please sign all posts) That may be true, but as an educational forum, we do have to remind people of the standards they should strive for, and teach them how to recognise a good professional polish. We do not want to be teaching them that hard, etched hamon are desirable. Afraid having these things pointed out comes with the territory, otherwise we are only encouraging amateur polishes and that isn't what we are here for. That said, I think the point has been made, and I'll ask others not to harp on about it further. Point made? Brian Quote
hxv Posted May 31, 2012 Report Posted May 31, 2012 Brian, Would you say this sword is o-mokume, chu-mokume, or ko-mokume? Or am I off course all together? Regards, Hoanh Quote
JonP Posted May 31, 2012 Author Report Posted May 31, 2012 Not sure what you mean by "Jon (please sign all posts)" I put my name on the last one. I'm afraid I'm not up with your etiquette. Jon Quote
Brian Posted June 1, 2012 Report Posted June 1, 2012 Jon, We require every post to be signed with at least a first name...first 2 posts here aren't signed. Not a huge deal. Add it to your signature in your profile, and it will automatically sign all posts. Regards, Brian Quote
runagmc Posted June 1, 2012 Report Posted June 1, 2012 Would you say this sword is o-mokume, chu-mokume, or ko-mokume? Or am I off course all together? Regards, Hoanh Hoanh, itame w/ some mokume is probably specific enough... Quote
JonP Posted June 1, 2012 Author Report Posted June 1, 2012 Any thought on the rust on the tang, age etc. Or the shape of the curve, it's very straight compared to my Teruhide blade. Does this give any indication of age or province of smith. The scabbard is made for the blade but the handle mounts are WW2, I guess some soldier carried it but if so how did they stop the scabbard being damaged. The 2 pin holes only mean something about its use and history. There are many interested things to ponder here, maybe someone has some insight of interest & value. Jon P Quote
hxv Posted June 2, 2012 Report Posted June 2, 2012 Jon, Can you give some measurements? Looking at the picture gives me a sense that your sword is somewhat short, maybe 24" to 25" nagasa, but definite measurements are always better than guesstimates. Anyhow, I'm a beginner, but I'm willing to peek over the fox hole The two mekugi ana just means that the sword was mounted at least twice in its lifetime. With the nakago not looking terribly old, together with the lack of sori, I would guess shinshinto. The saya was probably not original, as far as how the sword was carried in WW2. Somebody probably dumped the gunto saya for a replacement after WW2. Otherwise, it would have been unacceptable as it would not have conformed to regulations. I like your sword. Regards, Hoanh Quote
JonP Posted June 2, 2012 Author Report Posted June 2, 2012 Thanks. I like it too. The blade length from tip to bottom edge of tsuba is 28" The width near tsuba is 1.25" tapering to 1" before kissaki. It is quite heavy & straight compared to my other swords. Definitely the one I'd want to have with me in times of need. There is quite a difference in the mekugiana. The one used now for military Handle looks machine punched as opposed to original that has more age to it. Jon P Ps the nagako looks very old to me compared to others I've been looking at on this site. Am I missing something. Quote
Jorgensen Posted June 2, 2012 Report Posted June 2, 2012 Hi Jon, Nagasa is measured as a straight line distance from the tip to the shoulder of the blade (mune machi) and does not include habaki. Sword became more straight during time as they were more designed for stabbing, than cutting (also most ww2 blades does not have much sori straight). More curvatured sword are better for cutting as most of the older swords are. I would always prefer a sword with heavy sori From the pics I would guess on very late 1600th - early 1800th... -Better I cant do. Quote
JonP Posted June 2, 2012 Author Report Posted June 2, 2012 Thank you for your thoughts and information Mr J. Jorgensen. Jon P Quote
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