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I'd suggest you wait for all the possible info before you start considering any of the offers I am sure will start coming in Lovely looking kabuto. But I don't know much. There are others here that will be able to give you good info though. Good luck.

El, I saw nothing in either Fuller's nor Dawson's books that specified Swedish rail steel, just simply "imported western steels". What I DID find was a reference to it in Leon Kapp & Yoshinndo Yoshihara's book "Modenr Japanese Swords and Swordsmiths, From 1868 to the Present.

http://ohmura-study.net/006.html 刃物鍛冶の名人・千代鶴是秀は先述したように、スウェーデンのダンネモラ鉱山の鋼を専ら使い、国産の鋼は切れ味が悪くて使わな いと明言していた。 刀匠で後に刃物鍛冶になった長島宗則は「大正頃のヨーロッパの鋼は素晴らしかった」と述懐している。 河合綱商店が和鋼を基に成分規格を提示、スウェーデンのダンネモラ鉱山が産出する地鉄を使って英国のアンドリユー社が成分調整 した鋼を生産した。 千代鶴是秀が先鞭をつけた東郷ハガネの鉋（かんな）は、戦後僅かに残った在庫を使い、現在も鉋の最高級品として販売されている。 The master swordsmith 千代鶴是秀 Chiyozuru Korehide, as previously mentioned, exclusively used steel from the Dannemora mine in Sweden, and clearly stated that he would not use domestic steel due to its poor cutting performance. The swordsmith-turned-blade smith, 長島宗則 Munenori Nagashima, also reminisced, saying, “The European steel around the Taisho era was outstanding.” 河合綱商店 Kawai Tsuuna Shoten established a composition standard based on traditional Japanese steel (Wakou) and produced steel in cooperation with the Andrew Company in the UK, using base iron sourced from the Dannemora mine in Sweden. The 東郷ハガネ "Togo Hagane" planes 鉋( kanna), pioneered by 千代鶴是秀 Chiyozuru Korehide, were made using the limited post-war stock and are still sold today as top-grade planes.

Cross-Reference Translation courtesy of @Nobody. 氏房 高山刀鍛錬所作 – (Ujifusa, Takayama-To Tanrensho saku) – Made by Ujifusa at Takayama-Sword Forge. Garage Find WW2 Okinawa Sword

News Flash. A shot term display, 4 days only. Thursday the 3rd through to Sunday (inclusive). A selection of quality sword fittings, lacquer and kabuto. At the following location :- ARTVISORY GALLERY 31O Toorak Road, South Yarra. Melbourne. If you are in Melbourne it's worth the effort. Here is the online catalogue. Samurai items start at number 72. https://issuu.com/ar..._and_creation_online Mark

In the Nihonto Meikan, Heianjo Yasuyuki, around Kanbun. Yamashiro. In the Toko Soran. (Same characters, 安幸)

Hamfish, that is a separate bill for the box fumigation check. (Not customs or anything you may have paid to Japan.) Australia normally does not allow wooden products in, and after inspection may choose to destroy or fumigate it if necessary. A quick glance will probably tell them that the box is not a bio threat, but they will want to take their standard 100 dollar fee for whatever process they choose to list. And your box together with bio certificate will then be legal in Oz!

@Doctoe JonJon, this paper has information on these swords and Masanao smith.

Hi everyone, I run a small auction house, this is my first time posting and I think it's quite special. We randomly had a guy come in and drop off a Hitsu with a complete suit, Katana, Jingasa and fan (not sure the name). We have sold quite a few suits for a local collector with the information usually being provided by him. I think this suit is waaayy better than anything we've had before and I'm wondering if anyone has any information about it. The silver inlay and chased bronze scream high quality. Check out the photos and if there's anything else you want to see let me know and I'll add it! Hope this is allowed, here's the link to more photos.. https://drive.google...HC1jqUMG?usp=sharing Thanks, Angus

What appeals to you in tsuba? Collecting any art form is an adventure in seeing, so it is about developing my eye and my taste. i have been doing this for a long time and I am still learning new things Since this is a Japanese art form, then I think learning the Japanese standards for quality is important My focus is, what is good quality and taste from a Bushi perspective? What we know about Bushi taste comes largely from Akiyama Kyusaku, who was a Tosa Samurai that was assigned to evaluate sword fittings for the Tosa Daimyo. After the Meiji Restoration he continued to study and write about sword fittings and published a lot of his ideas in a journal called Token Kai Shi. His last student was Dr. Torigoye Kazutaro, the Mentor and Sensei of Robert Haynes, who translated much of the Akiyama and Torigoye aesthetic ideas in Tsuba, an Aesthetic Study. Sasano Masayuki was also heavily influenced by Akiyama and published several work in English. Tsuba, an Aesthetic Study separates tsuba into Tsubako (mostly ironsmiths) and Kinko (mostly softmetal carvers). The tsuba of the Bushi were mostly made by the Tsubako. I usually do not have much interest in the Kinko, especially Edo period machibori, which was marketed to the Chonin class, the commoners below Bushi in status, but some wealthy enough to own short swords. The urban Chonin had their own aesthetic ideas, look up "iki" and "kwaii" and "kabuki" to get some sense of that. What appeals to me are the tsuba that I think would have been chosen by warriors. These will be rather quiet, sober and serious and are well made and strong. They may also show the influence of Wabicha (a type of tea ceremony) and may express Buddhist concepts, but not necessarily Buddhist symbolism. They can be very low key and it takes study to understand this type. To the uninitiated some of them look like iron mud pies. Regarding the quality question, there is an essay by me in the Downloads section that goes into what is quality in iron (Tsubako) tsuba.

There is plenty about WWII sword production and numbers. The part I sent was all that I could see about using Swedish rails.

Just an opinion but the story sounds a load of hyped up rubbish. I’m not qualified to comment on the validity of the Mei but to me it looks like a tired blade (no hamachi). I think they are trying to make it sound something very special when it is possibly simply a boys day sword (iwazashi?). Of course I could be wrong, but if it was my money I’d pass.

A small update on the Tachi vs Katana mei chart - I did a survey of NMB posts for Takayama forge blades and all of them were Katana mei just like the Toyokawa arsenal blades, which makes sense as a few of them have Toyokawa anchor stamps on them. Still a complete mystery as to why they used Katana mei whereas Tenshozan used Tachi mei. TACHI OR KATANA MEI SHOWA KATANA MEI TACHI MEI 1935 1 1937 1 1939 4 1940 21 1 1941 21 1942 1 ND 64 1 SEKI Large 1940 4 1941 7 1942 37 1943 19 1944 6 ND 109 1 SEKI small 1943 1 1944 1 Star 18 (8 Star) 1945 10 (2 Star) ND 1 NA 1941 1 1942 8 (1 Star) 1943 48 (2 Star) 1944 15 1945 1 ND 3 FUKU 1 GIFU 1944 1 1945 18 ND 1 SAKA 1943 2 1944 5 ND 7 Ko 1935 1 1942 3 (1 Star) 1944 1 (1 Star) ND 2 1 YAMA 1943 4 (1 Star) 1944 1 TAN 1940 1 1941 1 1942 3 ND 14 STAR 1941 1 1942 5 16 1943 20 49 1944 5 61 1945 2 19 ND 6 14 Toyokawa 21 1939 1 Kiyomichi Takayama Forge 34 Tenshozan 28 All Dates

New sword listings added to St. Croix Blades eBay Store. PLUS, 3 more swords going live Wednesday evening (12 hours from the time of this posting). https://www.ebay.com...icSeller=1&_saslop=1 You don't have to have an eBay account to buy--when you see a Japanese sword you like, just let me know here and I will pull the listing so you can purchase it direct. Thank you. --Matthew Brice www.StCroixBlades.com

Peers, thank you for all your responses, so far! I had no idea there was a sub culture of Nihonto collecting; until my certificate was called into question. Really appreciate all the details about my katana and or it's authenticity that everyone has shared. Nonetheless, it was a dream of mine since I was a kid to purchase a real samurai sword from Japan. Never thought I'd have the chance to goto Japan and make it happen, but it did this year! I felt by purchasing from Tozando it gave me the best chance at securing a real Nihonto (made from Tamahagane) which I believe did happen. The katana sure doesn't feel or look like a steel, replica and or Iaito; especially, the hamon pattern. For me, if the sword was created by Tamahagane and it is as old as it's claimed to be, the signature authenticity is irrelevant, for me. My dream was accomplished. No plans to sell, I'll probably be buried with it Yes, the habaki is there. The Saya was badly damaged in shipping. Tozando asked that I send all of the pieces from the handle and the Saya for them to repair. For now, all I have is the blade as displayed above. When everything is returned and put back together, I'll ask Tozando on the certificate, why it wasn't resubmitted. Attaching below are all the documents that I received with my purchase. Maybe it'll shed more light? Thanks again for sharing the knowledge! Katana_jpavicic.pdf

Thank you Piers

Yes its got habaki. See 1st photo

Sold, please archive.

Old green papers are as you were told unreliable. That being said this is not a smith prone to fakes, I would rest easy that this is authentic. Looking forward to more pictures, and please don't lay a freshly polished blade on a bare table top - too many chances for a scratch... -t

I beleive I have the orientation of the writing correct in these photos and have a picture of the sword and sheath as well. Thank you for all the insights, fascinating to learn

What a wonderful response. It's hard to argue against your thought process and to not think in probabilities. I especially echo your nostalgic reference to Darcy. His educated and insightful contributions are sorely missed.

Unclear, perhaps a surname. Mine (三根) or Miroku (三禄) might be possible.

1. You are correct, this first purports to be by the famous Gassan smith Sadakazu 2. The second is gimei (fake inscription) of Etchu Norishige

All of your photos are upside down but this appears to be at Takayama-to blade by Masanao. https://www.google.c...rome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

This is an beautiful gendaito by Hizen Yoshitada which really shows the tradition of the Hizen Tadayoshi school in modern times. The Tadayoshi school was one of the preeminent groups of swordsmiths working during the Edo period, and maintained the high standards of quality during that time. This sword is by the gendai smith Kinoshita Yoshitada, who was a rikugun jumei tosho smith during the Showa period who won 1st seat in the 1941 shinsakuto competition. The hada is a fine ko-itame absolutely covered in ji-nie which reminds of the konuka-hada the Tadayoshi school was renowned for. The hamon is a beautifully executed suguha with deep ashi and yo (again, in the Tadayoshi style). The sword is in shirasaya with koppa-maki and has a gold foil habaki. The nakago is well signed and has been maintained in excellent condition. The Yoshitada also has an accompanying shin-gunto koshirae with smooth green saya. Mei: Hizen (no) kuni junin Yoshitada kore o tsukuru Nengo: Showa ju shichi nen ni gatsu Nagasa: 60.8cm Moto-haba: 3.2cm Sori: 1.4cm Kasane: 0.78cm $3,600 + shipping & PayPal

Wouldn't put too much faith in what is written in that book regarding all the steels, much of the knowledge regarding blades has been well and truly eclipsed. The Japanese produced their own high purity steels, there are some rather comprehensive articles on the various steels used below: https://ohmura--study-net.translate.goog/006.html?_x_tr_sch=http&_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB https://ohmura--stud...en-GB&_x_tr_sch=http

Reading a book and taming a tiger at the same time while sitting under a tree. $350. Payment via Paypal.

I am so happy to see this tread up and live again. Archery theme too! Just a great balance of exhibition. As an archery aside: A favorite of my small collection are Goto Tokujo father and Goto Kenjo son pair of goto kozuka of arrow design. Poem is Taira no Tadanori's death waka.

Today we installed a another display at the Japanese Consulate here in Melbourne. This consists of Edo Period archery and other samurai artefacts. The display is in partnership with the Melbourne Kyudo Kai who are showcasing contemporary archery equipment. It will end on 31st of October. Local collectors are welcome to attend. Please check their website for address and opening hours. Mark

At the Consul General's request we installed two armours at their private residence to assist in celebrating key dates, namely the new year and the upcoming Emperor's birthday. We will leave these installed until the end of February. We are extremely happy to facilitate their request, they are exceptionally nice people and art and antique lovers. Mark. FYI, armour on right is early Edo period ans the left is mid Edo.

Hi. Happy to announce that we installed a display àt the Japanese Consulate General's building in Melbourne today. Mark https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02eXwmsuSR9XrbVMxGoUhR1HqergEbAHVSDYxznZbRyxT7Kt7Qh6zJ5rHBkbZf43y5l&id=100064849561761&sfnsn=mo&mibextid=RUbZ1f

後藤廣正 Gotō Hiromasa See the link here http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/31377-help-with-possible-purchase/

Hi. Well we have installed another display here in Melbourne. It is a small display but nice swords and fittings are there for the publics enjoyement. I will attached more detailed photos and descriptions of what’s on display later. Again Colin has done a great job. Interestingly the display is at the Box Hill Returned Servicemas League or RSL. They are a progressive club and are interested in Swords As Art theme. Melbourne collectors go and check it out. As with all such clubs you need to sign in. It has a nice restaurant attached too, so maybe you can include lunch. Colin or I would be happy to meet any members of the message board at the RSL to discuss the display. Cheers https://g.co/kgs/gxgK75

I am pleased to announce that a major display of swords, fittings and armour has opened in the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Colin has excelled himself again to now have TWO major displays running at the same time at two of the leading galleries in Australia. New South Wales and the National Gallery of Victoria. I was lucky enough to be with Colin when the display was installed and saw how painstakingly demanding he was of himself to get the display right. It looks great and hope that Australian Collectors can get there for a review. This display opened on October 25 and will go for 1 year. Please note that the Display at the NGV will finish of the 4th of November, so Melbourne collectors don't miss out. Thanks again to Colin for presenting another quality display, great to be part of it. Regards Mark

Greetings, Here is an update of the Bushido display at the National Gallery of Victoria (NVG). The feedback from the Gallery has been excellent, the display being a very popular attraction. Floor talks by NGV staff have been a hit, covering many aspects of samurai life. Colin has made himself available to collectors for a meetup and chat at the NGV. Anyone from the NMB who would like a personal tour of the collection can pm me and I will arrange a time and date to meet Colin at the Gallery. This is a great opportunity to get a first hand explanation as to why some swords are viewed as Art. Regards Mark

Hi everyone, I am very happy to announce that the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) has opened its 'Bushido' Exhibition which will run from July 4th to November 4th. Congratulations go to Colin McDonald who was the man behind the 'swords as art' display at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and now the National Gallery of Victoria. The NGV website link can be found here. http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/whats-on/exhi ... he-samurai I know Colin worked hard on his part of the display. We hope you can get along and if you are based overseas feel free to ask questions or request photos. Kind Regards Mark The first pic is Colin himself talking to a collector (we hope) of the future.

On Friday the 9th of September at 1pm Colin will be at the Art Gallery to give a talk about the items on display. Hope to see you there. I have attached some pics and have many more. For Members unable to attend who would like to see an item in more detail please ask. There is a list above this entry of items on display. Regards Mark

Hi Lorenzo, here are the pics for you of the masataka koshirae. Very sorry for the late reply. If you want higher resolution pics pm me with your email address. The fuchi gashira are by 4th yasuchika. The other mounts are by an artist we have no reference on (forgot to take a pic and will do so in the future). The mounts (tsuba and kozuka) are also dated to 1829. It is felt the sword is actually by Suketaka but the NBTHK attributed to his grandson Masataka, we accept what they say but beg to differ. As you see they are very unique mounts. Again sorry for the lateness to your request. Kind Regards Mark

silver kodachi.

A Koto Mino Senchuin Katana. The Koshirae is great with a snake skin saya, very rare and unusual.

Hamilton Art Gallery

Jean, this is Akasaka Senjuin Katana again. It is the best pic of the hamon I could get at present. I should have added earlier that you are correct in that you see some togari ba in the hamon. Circa 1450, Hozon Token.

Koto Kanabo Masatsugu Katana. Tokubetsu hozon. It is thought that this sword is his earliest known work.

The Juyo Token Kuniyasa was found in 'gunto' mounts, although the saya is from the edo period. Almost all the swords you see in this display have been found here in Australia, and sent to Japan for restoration. This is what we aim to achieve, to find 'art' swords here and have them restored to the highest level. To have them beautifully displayed is the pinnacle for me personally and the fact that a Juyo Token was found(not by me) in the rough should be encouragement for everyone.

The Kuniyasu is Juyo token, this sword caused a lot of excitement in Japan and as a result was published in the NBTHK Journal. This sword was being used by the returned serviceman to cut the grass and bush on his land. Yes........true story. A great find (not by me) and an amazing sword to study. The Nakago is perfect. Here are the details. The 44th Juyo shinsa Heisei 10th year (1998) Published NBTHK monthly magazine Heisei 11th year (1999 6th month) no 509 pages 17-18.

Here is a Horikawa Kuniyasu Katana (top) and a koto senjuin katana bottom. The Kuniyasu is a wonderful sword with a text book nakago. The senjuin katana has a fantastic hamon.

Please ask questions if you have any. Mark

Hi. The talk by Colin was well attended and received. The day prior the display was changed and the following pictures are as it stands now. Sorry for the poor quality pics, the display looks fabulous. Regards Mark.

We have also done some displays in large country city art galleries. In 2006 we did displays in Benalla and Hamilton Art galleries. This photo is part of the display in Benalla. It is great that we could present swords as art to country districts as well. The displays have been very popular and well received. Art lovers are interested to know why swords are 'art'. Lectures have been presented on occasions explaining this very topic (not by me). Mark

Hi all, the next sword is a wakizashi by Kashu Iyehira, circa 1650 with a gold inlay cutting test and NBTHK hozon papers, a very nice sword indeed. For the Kodogu collectors the Kozuka 2nd from right is an 'O-kozuka' and you can see that very same piece in the Naunton Collection, item 3898. Sorry I don't have a Jpeg of it for those without the reference book. Regards Mark