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Ubu Tachi This is an Ubu Tachi from the end of the Nambokucho or early Oei. 78.75 cm in length. The sori on this really shows what the O Suriage Tachi looked like before being shortened. It is suggested it may be early Uda or Kai Mihara school , it is unpapered and in old polish and Shira saya I am learning lot from this piece. Many thanks to Mike Yamasaki for selling this to me.

https://www.jauce.com/auction/f1108873810 or https://buyee.jp/ite.../auction/f1108873810 You can save a lot of money by finding the original sale on the Japanese auction sites. In this case buying direct from Japan at 50000 yen it would equal $320.64 USD. Why pay some third party an extra $250 for just changing a delivery address on an item they don't even have? [I really really dislike "Proxy sellers"!]

There are 軍刀修理団（Gunto repair group) formed by 栗原昭秀（Kurihara Akihide), who sent many sword smiths&kendo instructors to the battlefield from Japan. Those guys are fixed tens of thousands of swords for the officers. 成瀬関次 Naruse Kanji(Gunto repair army civilian employee)wrote a book 実戦刀譚(Tales of the Sword in the Battlefield), which documented the damaged parts and causes of the thousands of military swords he repaired. http://ohmura-study.net/925.html http://ohmura-study.net/133.html

I mentioned recently how some French translations describing tsuba images were a little WIDE of the mark [eg. Deer standing on a coffee table!] - well some in German are equally way off. These two guards from an auction catalogue 1922. The translation from the original German read: 1001. Browned iron. Openwork rosettes : bottom right lobster in cut out, with shakudo. Inscribed. Oval, 17th century. 70 mm x 66 mm. WRONG 1002. Black iron. Bottom right Sennin figure with fish. Relief with shibuichi and shakudo. Oval. 17th century. Inscribed 75 mm x 68 mm. WRONG Yes the images are very grainy but the entries should read : 1001. Browned iron. Openwork Wheels: bottom right a Praying mantis in cut out, with shakudo. Inscribed. Oval, 17th century. 70 mm x 66 mm. 1002. Black iron. Bottom right Sennin figure with a Stork/Crane. Relief with shibuichi and shakudo. Oval. 17th century. Inscribed 75 mm x 68 mm. These entries are only numbers 5 & 6 in a total of 72 that need translating - I can't wait to see what comes along next!

You got a steal at $300! I would bet a year's pay this is WWII legit. No one knows why the black (and sometimes red) is found on gunto, but it started in the kyugunto days and continued through WWII. The only thing missing is the chuso. and, no, it’s not navy. It is army.

No it would not be the case of a smith or horimono-shi intentionally running past the ko-shinogi. There's no reason to do that, and it's not something that would happen by accident. The kissaki has been lowered to a degree where the bo-hi runs into the kissaki itself.

Yes, the kissaki has clearly been reduced. This is not how the kissaki was originally structured, however it is also not a very significant problem in terms of the importance of a sword. You can see a similar feature in the tokuju Enju Kunitoki from the Compton collection.

Pure stubborn determination - start with image recognition, but this often only links to European or American sites, so not much use for Japan. Try asking Google by using relevant Kanji rather than English [use google translate - it sometimes gets it correct! ] and then do an image search on the results. However I am also checking some of the bigger auction sites like Jauce.com [same as buyee] every day. Checking "New Arrivals" and also "Time ending soonest" - if you do this each day you know what is going on. [besides I have a packrat mind and always remember a 'face' - just not always where I saw it last ] Start with what you can find eg. Ebay then if the seller is from Japan or one of the proxy sellers is, then there is a really good chance it is listed either on Jauce, buyee or Yahoo JP. I hate to say it but ebay is for the unwitting "foreigners" who will pay much higher prices, as far as most Japanese sellers are concerned. [Some very good exceptions to this rule.]

Because there are tons of sellers on eBay who list stuff for sale that is already for sale on Japanese auction sites. They hope to sell them for a profit, then buy the item in Japan and sell to the clueless buyers on eBay. It's common. Sometimes they don't get the item on auction, then have to cancel the sale. It's basically trying to flip stuff they don't even own yet for a profit.

Inscription: Mei: Minamoto Masao Date: Bunkyu ni nen san gatsu hi (a day in the third month of 1862) https://sword-auctio...kubetsu-hozon-token/

Hi Mat, interesting question. I don't know but could I suggest the answer to your question was 'the best way they could'. As Brian has said...Units were in circulation repairing and restoring 98/95's and in regard to 95's would have included re-matching and renumbering sayas (I have one). I imagine there would be Armourers would look after (just about) all 'military metal' but nothing to base that thought on. Picture of some sword maintenance attached. Not for any real reason....I just like it.

This.

...just some further information for those who do not have this... John C.

Because the hi cuts right through the ko-shinogi. Now hi that go far forward are not that uncommon. But breaking the ko-shinogi is. And it is not that aesthetically pleasing. Which implies either the kissaki was taken back to where it is now, or the hi is atobori. But why would someone do that, knowing it looks odd? Hence the most logical explanation is the kissaki was shortened. And since we can't see the boshi...that is a valid supposition. Doesn't mean it's 100% correct, but it is a completely valid assumption. Are you now going to go searching for as any swords as you can with extended hi?

Nagoya has the different font than Tokyo 1st

I'm interested to see the Nakago. Keep us posted! You may get some flack, but i'd also take a swing at only $300 Best of luck, -Sam

As per the post here: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/48912-mission-impossible/ I was lucky enough to pick up a shin gunto with an older blade yesterday. To find this in SA is quite a find. I have started the gentle cleaning, but thought I would share it here. Not pictured is the nice silver foiled habaki. Tsuka needs a rewrap, but that is fairly common. It has a plethora of seppa, and I'm pleased to see that everything including the locking catch and tsuba have matching assembly numbers of 29. I haven't wiped the seppa etc down yet, I'll be doing that gently to make them a little less dirty. Also, I'm very happy to have my first Gunto with a mon. Yay! Looks to be silver, and I cannot make out anything. My guess is it was defaced on surrender. But maybe there is a mon under there. Don't want to clean it though. Also, although the saya has some finish loss and bumps/dents, I am surprised to see what appears to be brass under the outer layer. This is apparent in quite a few places. Is this standard? Quality of the fittings looks decent. Condition isn't great, but a new find in South Africa really has me glowing. At the Koto/Shinto blade posted in the other thread makes this a real bonus. I'll put it all together this weekend and take better pics of the whole thing. Thanks all.

Not sure why you say that. The blade looks to me like it may be a good Gendaito. Let's see that nakago. Blade may be worth the package by far. Holding thumbs.

My padded gun case is filled with what I am going to bring to the show and/or shinsa. I am very much looking forward to both the show and the NTHK shinsa.

Said forms never materialised, so rang in again to this call centre... Fella with whom I spoke this time said he is going to send me the necessary "Work of Art Form" and "Sword Declaration Form". *** update *** Lo and behold, received said forms. Ticked box on one to state it is of historical interest and on the other form stated it was made pre 1954 and of traditional make by hand. Send them back to Mr. UPS and hoping he actually 1) receives them and 2) does the needful...

The video is intersting. I read the comments for the video on YouTube, and I found that the 3rd and the 4th axes are basically used for root cutting.

越前住記内作 – Echizen ju Kinai saku 鉄地丸形角耳 – tetsu-ji, marugata, kaku-mimi 肉彫透し – nikubori sukashi 梅樹ニ笹虎之図 – Picture of ume trees, bamboo leaves, and a tiger 甲辰霜月 – Kinoe-Tatsu, Shimotsuki (November 1964) 紋洋 – Monyo (神谷紋洋 – Kamiya Monyo)

It looks a bit like hoken (insurance). But that would be odd for an ax. John C.

Thank you so much do you know how common it was to have decoration through the sheath itself

Not even sure that this the right way up but... All the best.

A big Kotobuki tsuba (+9 cm) $545 (offers welcome) More info: https://tsubashi.com/product/a-big-kotobuki-tsuba/ Iron, marugata, hammer-patterned surface with image of ink and inkstone on the front, and ink brush on the back. The design on the ink stick looks to be a stylized kanji for 壽 (kotobuki – long life), and is done in gold inlay. Likewise, the brush on the reverse is also decorated with colored metal inlays. The theme reveals the cultured world of the samurai, who ideally should strive to be as proficient in letters as he should be in the martial arts. Condition of this tsuba is very good and is very heavyIt has little stylistic surprises like the word “Kotobuki” which is almost hidden in the design on the ink, and the way the seppa-dai covers the inkstone in a way that gives a feeling of depth. The tsuba looks black and a bit glossy, as if it were a kind of ink stick itself. Mei/signature: Mumei School/province: Unknown Period/age: Edo Measures: 9.05 cm x 8.75 cm x 0.60 cm 249 grams Certificate: No Included: NO kiri box included

Dear friends, What do You think about this Tomotsune tsuba? Thank You. Kind regards

If it helps, here are HiRes photos of the blade that is Den Soshu Yukimitsu https://eu.zonerama....ihonto/Album/8848611

I wonder if they were done using a press ie the wood blank was heavily impressed/compressed (the kamon could be in either high relief or sunken) and then lacquered over. A similar technique was used by the Chinese on horn to make a variety of things that at first glance look wonderfully hand carved.

https://www.collecto...om/si/_bf_77186.html Damn, just noticed it's from here in Johannesburg, so shipping is wild

According to records the range of Seki Token Co from lower 82K-100K,This one is outside the range #130557（not 5 digit),but it looks legit to me。

I’m no photographer and don’t want to teach granny to suck eggs but just using my humble iPhone and iPad I’ve had some considerable success so I will try to explain. I think one mistake we make is to position the sword so that TO OUR EYES it looks perfect, the hamon shows through the Hadori, nioiguchi shows, even jinie etc. We point what ever camera we are using and click. But the image is nothing like what we could see. For the camera to capture what we see it has to be EXACTLY from where our eye is looking at the blade from the same angle, not a millimetre out. As we know you only have to tilt a blade fractionally and the lighting changes and the details all disappear. A method I have used is to get the sword roughly in a suitable light/position (daylight is sometimes good) where the light reflections pick up and highlight the relevant detail. Then do not look at the sword, instead look at the actual image appearing on the camera screen. Then manoeuvre the blade (helps if someone else can help do that) until what you are trying to capture appears on the camera screen as opposed to in your direct eyesight….then click….several times. Yea that sounds obvious I know but if a talentless erk like me can get some great images just using something basic then….. Dunno if that makes any sense whatsoever.

Hi everyone, sharing another post for the kanji flashcards. I have received an additional order in, and the cards are in three study categories: Mei (names) - the more commonly seen kanji used in swordsmith's mei, including examples of mei containing that the featured kanji - 152 cards Kuni (provinces) - the reading of the Japanese province names, with information about the provinces and some reference information on related schools and representative smiths - 90 cards Nengo (time periods) - the kanji for time periods from the late Heian period to the present, with reference information on each time period - 144 cards My hope with these is that everyone who uses the cards can have a better understanding of the fundamentals of reading Japanese sword inscriptions and kanteisho, and this will unlock access to Japanese language references for the study of Japanese swords. These cards are now available for $25 each plus shipping. Please email me at raymondsinger@gmail.com if you would like to order a set. And if you learned about the cards through this post and place an order, I will donate 5% of each sale back to the NMB. Best regards, Ray

These are super cool.

Looks like a modern repro.

Hi Adam.... I would hazard a guess and say that it does not belong on an IJN tassel. I believe antique dealers call it 'married'. Whether it was 'married' period or post war..........IMO I think the later. Rob

Antique firearms are a rabbit hole that I have thus far resisted the temptation to explore... for the time being! One impractical hobby at a time for me No sooner did I scan the docs and send them back (along with pictures, descriptions etc) did I get the same email and forms from someone else entirely. Agent A quickly came back asking for the forms... again. Pointed out that they were attached but nonetheless in the name of expediency re-sent only those forms. He did confirm (!?) that they'd been noted as received and if anything else required, they would be in touch.

Imported antique firearms with UPS and the forms usually do get sent via email. The problem i had, i didn't have " open office" or what ever its called to complete the forms, so bought then cancelled it. At least they are shipping swords and making the effort to do it right, perhaps something they need to become more accustomed to, by the sounds of it.

Hi guys a friend of mine recently acquired this Japanese axe which I think is a carpenters axe, it has a couple of kanji stamps any assistance on what they mean is gladly appreciate and your thoughts on what the axe is for. cheers Chris H

Ok, wee update. Shipment arrived in UK, at Donington where it is in "import scan" state. Was supposed to arrive today by 12:00, but doubtful. I called UPS and to my surprise got through to someone, who put me in touch with someone in the broker team. They made some cryptic comments and said they'd send me some forms via email for customs, which would help "speed things up". So far I haven't received anything. I did offer to stay on the phone so I could ensure the email arrived correctly however the agent declined.

Moriyama San above may be referring to the shape being closest to the middle top ax/axe here: "日本製斧" 【通販モノタロウ】 最短即日出荷 (monotaro.com) It does have massive kasane, though, and that top edge bend is impressive. See one in this video. 'Wa-ono', i.e 'Japanese axe', from around 5:30 mins in... The three lines indicate 御神酒 omiki, sake offered to the gods.

HAGIRE over the full length of the YAKIBA if I understand correctly? That would be very rare, and I would like to see that. Generally, HAGIRE are the result of tension in the metallic structure. Tension comes up in the differential hardening process, and HAGIRE are often seen immediately after YAKIIRE, but may even show up much later in time when and if the blade is exposed to mechanical stress.

The reality is a lot of folks will never get a chance to buy a sword "in hand" for many reasons. Though im not saying that is not the ideal way to buy a sword, of course it is. Scarcity being one of the reasons. Take the UK as an example and compare what's available here compared to online in Japan or the US. There is no comparison and prices at the main dealer here seem sky high and none of the blades have papers, the least said about the quality of polish the better.. You could wait forever for a blade by your favourite smith to come on the market here. Many of us don't have the luxury of taking expensive trips to Japan to view swords in hand, buying swords is expensive enough. You have to ask dealers about condition and ask for more images if necessary. If any dealer declines your requests then walk away as it is possible they are hiding something. Bought quite a few blades from Japan and only ever sent one back, even though the dealer said no returns. Rust marks in the bo-hi which were very difficult to see in images, though i should have asked, live and learn. Would also state that if you don't know what you are buying, you will never truly appreciate it. Dont just buy for the sake of owning a sword, learn what appeals to you, then buy.

Bonus shot. I am loving this gun at the moment, despite the damage and the previous owner having removed all the patina with..., I am guessing 'Brasso' or equivalent cleansing powder liquid. The sakura ‘za’ are cloisonne, which first drew my eye, but it is the blend of iron and brass that also interests me. Notice how the long sweeping neck of the match serpentine is iron, but it has a shinchu head (pinch flap section). Although classed as a 'snapping' matchlock, the spring is relatively weak and the fall of the serpentine is gentle. The pan itself is unusually shinchu (more corrosion resistant), set into an iron barrel. Not sure if I've ever seen this arrangement before. Shinchu sandwich with pan and cover! The sear is hidden inside the lockplate, but the little 'ibo-kakushi' outside is in the shape of a Takeda Hanabishi Mon. Another unusual feature is the lack of a slit in the stock below the ramrod. This is sometimes seen in Satsuma guns, but would have required drilling out the length of the stock from the muzzle end. PS Triple clicks. Photo can be clicked, and then the plus sign will magnify it once, (move the cursor outside the frame to get the plus sign) and then clicked again you can get a giant size. On my PC anyway.

Horrible cheap fake. It is so far away from the real thing. Sorry.

Please note - pre-registration for the event has closed. Timeslots will be mailed out this week. You can still submit swords at the show. Come see me in the shinsa room after 13:00 Friday I am sure we can fit everybody in. -tch

Whilst we are with the Naginata ladies of the Chiyoda Castle...... Their tradition is ably continued by the ladies (and token gentlemen) of the Yoshin Ryu who give a spirited performance of their School's core curriculum.

Utagawa Kuniyoshi Fashionable Octopus Games c.1840