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see you all next week. Stop bye and say hello to Grey and I Mark

Hello! I would assume Mito school The shape, the non-standard holes of the hitsu-ana, and, of course, one of the favorite themes of the Mito school - dragons and tigers.

May be among this Mon: https://irohakamon.com/kamon/shikaku.html

This is quite an unusual one. Sorry for the poor quality reproduction. Does the design hold some particular symbolism?

Some Tanaka tsuba My papered example but the colour is way off. Very late so nowhere near the craftmanship of the earlier examples: Museum pictures from my book and there more shown with both sides of the tsuba:

Zodiac animal group…..Japanese tourist Meiji.

2 Men smoking…..what Piers said Kingfiser with fish on lotus leaf…..looks resin fake Toads on bamboo shoot….modern Chinese fake Dutch/Mongol archer…poor attempt at a popular Edo subject. Modern. Possibly Chinese but more likely Japanese tourist. Shishi (seal?)..low quality modern. Looks resin but apparently has cracks so not sure …..imo….from images.

They are all from one collector. I've picked up couple of blades, and he rolled out quite a few okimono and netsuke...

The British Museum is hosting a Samurai Exhibition from Feb through to May 2026 in the Sainsbury Gallery. Looks like they have done a lot of work on this one and it should be a goodie for those who can mane it. There will also be a book for sale for those interested. For more info there is a nice write up on it by Jimmy Chen: https://www.thecollector.com/samurai-british-museum-book-review/

Yagyu or Kanayama or… Owari? Size is 69 X 64 X 5. Strong tekkotsu at mimi. Not papered yet.

Some like this one are a lot less of the sandy variety. TH to Yagyu. Theme is the 4 Classes of Japanese (Edo) Society This one might have been a special commission. Very unusual theme, and not evident it is Yagyu at first glance. The mimi and other evidence points to Yagyu. Tsuba really need an angled view for kantei traits.

Kirill, the first one has all the marks of a late 1800s Meiji okimono, the central nerve channel being used to pay lip-service to netsuke. Good work, the artist was possibly a netsuke carver first before the end of the Bakumatsu and changes in fashions. The second one (stork?) is hard to make out; if it is not resin it could well be a legit boxwood netsuke. The third one, bamboo shoot and toads(?) gives indications of later Chinese work, the signature written typically in a ‘casual’ manner to suggest Japanese, but not.

Hrushev: If the blade is hand forged, it's a nice Chinese made blade. It just isn't a Japanese katana. John C.

Dear Mike. The habaki is definitely on the wrong way around. If you slip the two pieces together and try then it should fit and provide a shoulder for the tsuba. If it really wont fit then it might not be the one for the sword as these parts are made very specifically for each blade. All the best.

Also agree with Curran and Okan. To me, it looks mostly like a late (modern?) work "inspired" by Owari sensibilities. The workmanship and finished look of the piece, though, do not conform to Owari sukashi, Kanayama, or Yagyu, in my opinion.

It is a modern Chinese fake

My opinion is that it is None-of-the-Above . It doesn't fit the textbook definitions of any of those schools. Quite a challenging thing.

I agree with Victor. The Mito umbrella is huge, with a lot of spin off Mito influenced schools. This feels more in that direction. For me, the plant leaves on the Tiger side point that way. This is probably Mito+(School#2) work, so probably a Mito spinoff school. It looks like it will clean up nicely with a little TLC. Maybe some "in a museum drawer" neglect, since the rust is older and yet more prominent on one side.

Ah, thank you. *The second one could start with Yoshi spelt not the standard 吉 with 士, but with known variant 土 on top. Borrowing -hisa from Ray above, Yoshihisa? 吉久？

Hi all, Just like to share my recent acquisition, a unique Mitokoro-mono by the 5th generation mainline head of the Goto school, Tokujo. He was the eldest son of Kujo, born in 1549 and passed away in 1631. After serving Oda Nobunaga, he became the court chisel master for Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Exhibited at the Tokyo National Museum. Enjoy!

depicted Kotani Yasunori san with Medal and one of his special sword's oshigata

Hi NMB experts, This mumei tsuba get some tanaka school features from my point of vew. Do you agree with me or do you see other influences ? Thank you

Thank you very much for all your answers and your good advices. Mito school it is, as a conclusion!

https://www.jauce.com/auction/v1172904922 back again from 19th April 2022 - [https://www.jauce.com/auction/f1048239985] where it sold for nearly half the new asking price. https://www.jauce.com/auction/d1216400857 sword rack/Kake https://www.jauce.com/auction/c1215355128

Generally they tend to be more sandy, like this one. This one passed Hozon to Yagyu last year. Chrysanthemums in a Bowl of Water, or something like that. Fluidity in life? Good mindset for fencers.

Unfortunately, I agree with the above @Hrushev, and I’ll relocate this thread to the fake Japanese sword section. For some info on how to spot fakes in the wild, this is a good link: https://www.jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html Sorry for the bad news. Sincerely, -Sam

I can see where the Yagyu vibe comes from - Yagu often have that half melted [yakite] look to them. But I don't know enough to say it is.

Here is a rare opportunity to acquire a masterpiece tea bowl by one of Japan’s most captivating potters. There is nothing I could possibly say about Shogo Ikeda that already hasn’t been said. Known for his Oribe and Kohiki works that display power throwing and dynamic, expressive brushwork that is unmatched among contemporary potters. Simply, his work exudes strength, creativity and technical proficiency that culminate in some of the best pots I’ve ever had the pleasure of owning. This stunning black Oribe tea bowl was inspired by Momoyama period masterpieces, most notably the chawan known as “Fuyugare” (Winter Withering). The main design is a plant that is neither a bud or in full bloom, but rather a withdrawn in between from when days get shorter and the frost strengthens its grip. The execution is powerful and beautifully reflects the stark but beautiful winter months. The dark glaze shifts from glossy to matte black, and a masterful purple tone where it interacts with the iron rich clay underneath. A highly sought after kiln effect that requires the utmost skill to pull off. A healthy size that befits the style, this bowl measures 13.2cm at its widest by 9.5cm tall and is perfectly balanced with a slightly low center of gravity that allows it to naturally settle into your hands. Includes its original signed box, which features one of the artist’s famous decorations. In this case, a silently robed monk sitting cross legged with a bowl of tea to ward off the cold. Also has the cloth and paperwork from the artist. Please let me know if you have any questions, thanks for looking! Asking $750 shipped to the USA international buyers please contact me for a quote. **Will donate $100 to NMB if sold here.

Menuki might be ox herder from Ogata Korins painting.

Definitely a Chinese fake, the damascus patterned blade is the most obvious red flag among many many other issues.

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Did a little bit of reorganizing today and pulled these out...all from jizai okimono.

Agree with @Curran...

Hi Ryan, No that’s it! Make sure all the details of the registration card match the gun, and send off the change of ownership paper to the Education Board of where the gun was registered, or do it online. It also asks for the previous owner’s name and address and contact details. You will need to keep the reg card preferably with the gun or within reaching distance, and you’ll need to keep the gun well wrapped if ever you need to carry it somewhere. Also if the police find it in your car for example you’ll have to provide a good reason for its presence.

Hi, for sale is a Mumei Koto Tanto. On the Sayagaki it written Taira Nagamori/平長盛. The old NBTHK Papers attributed to Chikushi Ryokai, translation from the board: Certificate for a kicho token issued on April 20, 1975. 短刀　無銘（筑紫了戒） - Tanto, mumei (attributed to Chikushi Ryokai) 長六寸九分 – Length, 6-sun 9-bu It is very thin and nagasa is about 21cm. Price 700 Euro (including shipping inside EU) For any questions or offer contact me via pm Regards Oli

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Not as clear as the previous one. Perhaps Toshihisa.

It's not the ww2 smith, if that's what you are asking. I believe this blade is older. John C.

I made a purchase! I made a 3.5 hr drive and viewed multiple swords in hand at a member of this forum's home. I ended up purchasing a 26 inch Daito papered by the NTHK-NPO in 2019 to 7th generation Masahiro 1573-1590. But the blade has the potential to be much older. According to Soshu Den Museum records. Masahiro did not sign as such after 1553. When he took the name, Tsunahiro. The form, length, and grain patterns and activity do not really match later Soshu works, but earlier. The nijimei signature is, as well, non existent in Tensho Masahiro swords. It has a partially polished out Buddhist prayer horimono. A previous owner (whom sold this blade on this forum 5 years ago). Thought the horimono might have been engraved in late muromachi period. I am under the impression that the NTHK-NPO may have classified it as a 7th gen. Potentially due to having lack of reference for anything older. And chose a "safe" designation. I checked Soshu Museum's records. The mei, as well as the forging patterns they desrcribe. Do line this sword up better with 2nd generation Masahiro (1393-early 1400s). Or something made in the 1400s. I would think the Japanese NBTHK would have a far better reference collection to nail down the date better. But also, I not doubting the NTHK's expertise. Just curious why a Masahiro blade would get made in such an old style, with a Mei that hasn't been used for generations, in Tensho? Maybe special ordered that way? There are a few ware up front. Which would knock it down a peg or two. Some signs of use. And it has a few smudges that may polish out. But overall, I am very happy with it. Late 1500s or late 1300s. It's is a very nice work. And a great first blade *i may add some more photos if interested.

Beautiful quality box. Meiji period lacquer can be staggering quality and imo is vastly undervalued given the degree of artistry and mind boggling skill involved.

This one is for ninja.

No idea what I bought... makes me feel like an average forum poster!

Piers, Nope, these came from Texas