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Chris: I would guess that it's possible. July/August of 1944, the Japanese were still trying to hold on to Guam, Tinian, and New Guinea, among other fronts, as well as Peleiu in September. In addition, Operation Ichi-go was still going on, with over 400,000 troops fighting in China. John C.

Here is a really fascinating thread from Nick Komiya about the Type 32 Gunto production. It includes a document on a change in tassel production which I thought was interesting and attached below. https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese-militaria/system-kaizen-behind-type-32-gunto-production-1930s-788442/ I have two tassels that I beleive display the before/after of this change. Left tassel looks greasy from antique leather conditioner. Regards, -Sam

Your tsuba is signed Shozui . Shozui 1696 - 1769 is a very famous and much faked maker who founded the Hamano school . Your tsuba looks to be a quality piece but not in Shozui's style. Ian Brooks

Good afternoon and happy Friday NMB! On offer today is a sublime piece of Iga ware modeled after the large, iconic flower vases of the Momoyama period. Shinya Fukushima is the youngest working member of the Fukushima potting family, currently led by his older brother Kazuhiro. They work out of the Mukai kiln, which is in its eight generation and has been operating for over three centuries. He has quickly made a name for himself via solo exhibitions, and the piece here was the representative for this vessel type at a recent one in Tokyo. This small vase measures 9.5cm tall by 7.1cm wide, a perfect size for a shelf or countertop. The weeks-long firing has bestowed all of the desirable kiln effects onto the piece, with each one working in perfect harmony - flowing natural ash glaze of a stunning jewel-like greenish blue, sunset orange clay flavor and dark purple scorching where the heat was the most intense. The form is classic Iga with a different, yet purposeful demeanor from every angle, and is accented by triangular lugs (or "ears") at the sides, which radiate strength and balance. In perfect, unused condition with its original signed box, cloth and paperwork. $150 shipped to the USA, international buyers please contact me for a quote. Payment to be made via PayPal F&F but will accept Venmo if necessary. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional pics, thanks for looking!

Wakizashi attributed to the second generation Omi no kami Fujiwara Tsuguhira.

I like them both — each set has its own character. And yes, according to the origami, it’s a joint work made at the same time. Sokujo and Teijo were cousins. Sokujo lived a very short life and passed away at the age of 31. His son Renjo was four at the time, so although he was the intended successor, uncle Teijo stepped in to take over the mainline, raising and training Renjo until he came of age. Renjo, assumed the position at 25, becoming the 11th-generation head.

Patina on copper or brass does not give the purple/black of shakudo. The core in mine was/is copper or a brass and all three were covered in shakudo. Metal ie gold has always been expensive and what better way to make it appear as solid shakudo- gold/ copper/ other was a lot of work- well done too- only after years has the edges been exposed where the lead solder has been attacked by the environment. Consider the effort to make 4 piece tsuba- against the solid expensive version- labour was cheap- few stiffens of rice! I have made shakudo quite a few times and had varying success but not what I would consider as good shakudo! Ive tried 3,5 and 7 % gold but its still brown after patina. The pieces I have from the old tsuba colour very well and show the darkness straight away and with obvious age they would be better. I have a couple of brooches I made for an exhibition in the late 80s using shakudo- my shakudo!!!- and they are still brown- oh and I am using Japanese patina! I am certain the ones I have pulled apart are shakudo. More to it than copper and gold. Cheers Mike

I have several examples of tsuba with stacked sekigane in my collection and I always consider this a good thing as these tsuba are of a good enough quality where they have been taken care of and fitted for a blade more than once.

I'm considering updating the forum to the latest version, which is a complete revamp of the current software, and has been in development for a number of years. I'm currently trying to raise the $600+ that would be needed to get someone to assist, as it is a huge update with lots of new features and benefits. Frankly, we'll have to do it eventually anyways, as this version 4 won't be supported forever, and it will allow us to improve a lot of things. That aside, I don't have a date yet when we will do it. But there is one thing that I need to warn all members about. Most forums nowadays, across most platforms, are moving away from logging in using your username. This is because usernames are visible to everyone, and it is a security risk when hackers etc use various methods to run common passwords etc. The modern convention is to have everyone log in with their registered email address, and their usual password. This is because emails are not visible and are far more secure. So I am putting this out there now, so that people can start transitioning from logging in using their username, to logging in with their email address. YES...I know how many people can't remember their emails they used, or have changed it by now. Hence why I'm giving everyone plenty of warning to see what your email is here, so you can use to to login. Or update it if you like. Your forum email address is in your profile. You can find it here: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/settings/ Make sure you know what it is, and probably best to make sure you know what your password is, or reset it if you don't. For now, you can log in with your username OR your email address. But eventually that username won't be a login method. Your username will display as it does currently, no changes there So please start transitioning over, and post here if you have any questions.

Come on Bob, that is just my worthless oppinion but even if a well known idiot like me can tell this is a signed text book example then why would a much smarter person not? On a blade like this there is no room for questions, uncertainity nor interpretation left. So why care for papers? As I said before I am an idiot but not so dumb as I would waste any money or getting confirmed by whoever to what is obvious.