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昭和拾乙亥歲三月吉日 = on an auspicious day in March of Shōwa 10, year of the wood pig 渡邊來助所持 = owned by Watanabe Raisuke

Hello, can someone please give me a full translate of this Nakago from showa period? Thank you.

OK, Thanks, I didn't realize where was a translation section. I agree with it probably being used for just backing.

After consulting my notes: If the blade # did match the scabbard #, it would be the highest serial number brass tsuba that I have personally observed with the Sakura Ichi stamp; but it’s right at that transition in my records, so who knows . I’ve been trying to make out that scabbard stamp. Maybe one of these? 社 社 = SHA 各民間工場 Each civilian/private factory or 江 = e = Matsue Supervisory Unit of Kokura Army Arsenal. (Not sure I’ve ever seen this one) or 仁 = Jin = Incheon army arsenal inspection I’m sure Bruce or Kiipu will be along, who might be able to recognize it. -Sam

Everything looks good to me. Looks like a nice sword. Unfortunate that the serial number has been buffed away. It has the right stamps on the ferrule to theoretically match the scabbard #. But it’s also possible it was buffed intentionally because it didn’t match. Unfortunately we’ll never know, and that may hurt the value a little bit. All the best, -Sam

Anthony, if you want to put the photos in the correct orientation and post them in the TRANSLATION section, you might have more success. First and second photo (not much to read) with a 90° left turn. Third photo with a 90° right turn, but then it is still mirrored (= backside). Forth photo with 90° left turn, but it is also mirrored (= backside). I assume these papers are just a kind of padding or a means to stiffen the object. I don't think they have to do with the armour; might even be printed.

Looks legit with that bohi. @Scogg could say more about if this tsuba existed in this serial range. edit. Found close example tokyo kokura http://www.guntoartswords.com/010956.html Pattern 2 = Aluminium handle - 9mm Brass tsuba - Mirrored ito. and you could learn a lot from https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/29722-type-95-gunto-worksheet/#comments

Hello: I picked up a Japanese cavalry manual from 1912 and thought I would share some pics for those interested. The first is a layout of the cavalry soldier's kit (note the type 32 on the table). The second is one of the pics on riding position. I found it interesting that the artist took some artistic license (licence in UK and Oz) with the horse's eyes. John C.

There is one of just the saddle that I didn't take. But I do have a few others. Note the sword rig. John C.

Or 一的製？(made by Itteki)

This is awesome news Ray! I might have said it before but you have so good voice and presentation it is a pleasure to watch the videos.

Hmmm. It's not easy to explain briefly. The quality of the craftsmanship is very poor. Even the signature is round and not angular / sharp, meaning it was not signed with a chisel. Look online for fake tsuba, you will found examples like yours.

I can't help you with the translation, but both tsuba are modern works. Probably cast bronze from china.

I find this VERY funny. The mon on my Goto Tokujo menuki are also suspiciously close to that of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Talk about casting shade. If I can find it, I am going to link an article written by our esteemed Markus Sesko @Markus https://markussesko.com/2013/04/23/goto-chojo-the-secret-saver-of-the-goto-family/ It makes for great context. Kojo's two kids, older brother Tokujo vs younger brother Chojo = Toyotomi vs Tokugawa

This could possibly be a merit robe from a Chinese secret society (會道門）, such as the 洪門 Hongmen or other 三合會 triad groups. Aside from several names, one of them is 光耀南非“Illuminating South Africa,” which suggests that it belonged to a branch based in South Africa. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hongmen

See this for reference, Keio/Meiji, Yamashiro, Kyoto.

1 antique Japanese tachi sword available. This tachi is accompanied by two sets of papers. Both the blade and the koshirae/mounts are papered. The tachi koshirae is adorned with Samurai family mons. On the saya, gold and silver mons are finely lacquered. Interestingly, the saya hangers are signed. The tsuba is noticeably large–with a handsome aged patina. The mon on the tsuba is described as a ‘whirling log‘ in other cultures. The koshirae is papered. The nakago/tang is mumei/unsigned. The blade is identified in the shinsa papers as a Bizen tachi. The blade has a bohi groove along its full length. The blade measures 27 7/8″/71 cm (as measured properly with a tape pulled tight from the blade tip to the bottom of the notch in the habaki). This sword has a suguha hamon. Included with this tachi and two sets of papers is the wood tachi stand. The tachi stand is adorned with Samurai mons. CONDITION: The sword is in original polish. There are a few areas of carbon staining on the blade. The mounts are in excellent condition. This sword is guaranteed against fatal flaws like hagire, etc. The hamon and boshi are perfectly healthy. On sale through Wednesday, January 21. $4850 plus shipping --Matthew Brice http://www.StCroixBlades.com

Nah, I’ve got a shed full of them. Had to move them out of the house to make room for all the Honjo Masamunes. 😄 Seriously though, Darcy is probably the person to ask as he has a breakdown of Juyo swords by age. In fact it might be on his blog at Yuhindo.