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This book looks like it was first published in Taishō 15 (1926), with this edition being printed in Shōwa 9 (1934). I don't know what year the last edition was printed. According to Google AI, copyright protection in Japan was extended to 70 years beyond the death of the author. I don't know when this author (YOSHINO Takejiro) passed away, but his works might still be protected.

I got informed that the tsuba i submitted to the 2026 NBSK tsuba contest ranked Nyusen. It was my first time attending this competition so overall it's a positive result. Let me introduce my work: The omote depicts plum blossoms, traditional symbols of resilience and elegant beauty, as they are the first to emerge at winter’s end, often pushing through the lingering snow. On the ura, I have engraved the haiku: 見らわても 見らわなくとも 花は咲く Mirawetemo / Mirawanakutomo / Hana wa saku (Whether seen or unseen, the flowers bloom) This serves as a gentle reminder to the bearer: one should act with integrity not for the sake of recognition, but because it is one’s nature—just as a flower blooms to fulfill its purpose, regardless of an audience. The intentionally naive, almost childlike rendering of the blossoms and calligraphy creates a deliberate juxtaposition against the raw strength of the iron and the tsuba's martial function.

I apologize for the late post. I was able to ask someone else a few questions, and they said these are fine. 「い」or「つ」？ → 銘作も「い」らぬ　meisaku mo [i] ranu the part marked ‘軽る’ →「軽る ／＼（Iteration mark）」 I’m so relieved now！ From now on, I’ll only post things like this that I don’t have to worry about (such as classical waka poetry).

The most common material used for inlaid eyes in Japanese Art is translucent horn often with a darker pupil. Found on metalwork, netsuke, Shibayama, okimono etc. This is what this eye looks like to me. I’ve made 100s of them! Quick pick of something similar….

Here is an interesting Type 95 Guntō, with some "bling". I'm sharing here rather than the 95 threads, because these unique features are not factory original. Note the Habaki, leather hanger, and most interestingly those "monkey-knot rope pattern" mekugi and grommet screw. https://www.ima-usa.com/products/original-wwii-Japanese-army-type-95-nco-aluminum-handle-katana-sword-with-rare-leather-hanger-matched-serial-79051?variant=41101181190213 Already sold, not sure when. -Sam

My problem with this is that the NBTHK has started just throwing into one single basket anything that is kinko and comes from that area. Kozenji and Owari Goto level workmanship vs Nagoya mono . Since 2014 or so, increasingly it is simply labeled "Owari kinko" way to dumb it down. ... way way down.

Thank you, yes they have to be traditionally made. It took several weekends to make, I don't really count hours since it's an hobby and what matters is just the final result

Actually it was my web browser that was out of date - I've updated it and everything is working again. ...so here's the NMB thread referred to above:

No, it's a different problem - I get no copy/ paste options either with my mouse or keyboard right now. It's happened in the last couple of days and I can't work out what's different - it's a pretty old computer though and not running the current version of windows so it may be that.