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G'day Guys, I eventually was able to find a copy of "Nippon Toh". I scanned it using my phone in three parts. I am no computer wiz, so it is a little messed up. I will see if I am able to upload it to the forum. Interestingly the photo used as an example of "Masamune Den" actually shows itame hada. Cheers, Bryce

Kanzan sayagaki were often faked and he even commented on such in one of his lectures. Sesko - Fake Kanzan Sayagaki

Always been the case above 5 to 6 mil yen

So, there seems to be no real equivalent in Japanese terms? it’s purely a Western collector’s thing ? Thank you, everyone. I might start collecting the more interesting interpretations; could turn into a fun little collection.

In Japanese (translated) descriptions, I have never read these terms, so I don't think there is a problem (until we create one).

Congratulations! I love the design with the blossom and haiku, great work!

Type- Tachi O-suriage Mumei Double papers NBTHK KO-FUJISHIMA NPO-NTHK Shodai osafune moromitsu Eiwa 1375. In shirasaya and beautiful sword bag. Nagasa- 73.66 cm Deep elegant sori Hamon- Gunome Hada- Itame Lively hataraki Very visible ashi. Lots of sunagashi and kinsuji . Two piece Gold habaki. This is a lovely long example. Lots of activity to study and enjoy. The kissaki is elegant and small as one would expect from this era. Very nice polish and condition. Shipping from Canada. Will ship to USA and Canada. Will accept bank draft or bank money order. $4900 US obo , plus shipping

Katana Ubu nakago Mei translation- forged with care by Minamoto Yoshitsugu on a lucky day in the 9th month of man'ein 1860 year of the monkey. For Tsubosaka Morinobu from Matsunomoto the province of Harima. With use of water from the famous and blessed Tenjin'yama spring located on the property of the sword owner. NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Era- 1860 In shirasaya and beautiful sword bag. Nagasa- 70.7 cm Hamon- strong sugu ha A stout blade, very thick. High/wide with ample Niku. Itame hada, mixed with Mokume with chikei. Kinsuji on both sides and kissaki. . Mune machi is 5/16 , gold and silver two piece habaki. This is a big strong special order piece. No fatal flaws, polish is perfect. Located in canada.44will ship to USA and canada. Will accept bank money order or bank draft. 4900 US obo plus shipping

Suspect it may have been dumped by someone who was hoping it could go Juyo, being ubu zaimei Ichimonji, and decided to cut their losses when it failed a couple of times. But for someone who cares more about the historical value/significance, it could be a good pick up - assuming there aren't bigger flaws being hidden by the photography.

Brian that is a good point, I didn't think about the reference aspect, that was selfish of me. I have replaced the original link in the katana post and it seems to be working and here are the other 2 links to the albums. Officer sword NCO sword I hope these can help others in the future! Cheers, Gregg

There are 3 Richard Fuller and Ron Gregory oshigata paperback books that I’m aware of. I have one of each in my library. They are well known books, but hard to find. Swordsmiths of Japan 1926-1945 is 275 pages. The Oshigata book is 144 pages. Showa Swordsmiths is 80 pages.

double publication of a blade by Moritsugu Norisada Besides the illustration in John Scott Slough's Book "Modern Japanese Swordsmith 1868 til 1945 Oshigata Book on pages 137 u. 138 here in in Fuller&Gregory Oshigata book 106 Oshigata from 1985 on page 113 u. 114 an interesting oshigata of a gift sword to the governor of Burma

Dear friends of tosogu, A few months ago I started a little project about early European Collectors of tosogu. I wanted to understand the start of the "japnonisme", to people behind the first collections, their perspectives and networks they operated in. My goal is to make this knowledge accessible and build a series of essays to share. Please take a moment and have a look: https://tosogu.eu/essays/ It's not complete, so I invite you warmly to share your feedback, discuss with me and help to find some blind spots Also I would be very happy to identify objects of these provenance, understanding the symbols, markings or numbers used by the early collectors. One example I can share is the tsuba (sign. Sadamasa) from the Fahrenhorst Collection: https://tosogu.eu/walter-fahrenhorst-the-collection-that-came-home/ Thank you for your time and help already. Regards from Frankfurt, Alex

Congrats Manuel! Being recognized even with Nyusen means your work is accepted as traditional and of a certain standard. We all wish you congratulations.

Deleting the pics renders this thread pretty useless. It would be nice if you would upload at least 1 or 2 pics of each here directly. Not because anyone thinks any less of someone with fakes, but because it may help someone down the line looking at something similar. We have a nice reference library growing here, and I am sure we have saved more than a handful of people from wrong purchases.

Dear Jonathan. Just a couple of things to consider. The last photograph in your first post shows what looks like a hamon with no discernable activity and spots in the top of the gunome. Both these features might be seen on an oil temepred blade, specifically Showato. However your sword has yakidashi, a feature that I have not noted on Showa blades. You mention that the sword does not have masame hada which puzzles me, certain specific schools do have this hada but from Shinto it is usually evident in the shinogi ji whereas other forms of hada are evident below the shinogi. If you can discern ko itame hada on your blade does this run over into the shinogi ji? It might be useful to know what you can see in the boshi, is it midare komi? With the sword in hand what activities can you see in the hamon? For an oil quenched sword one would expect none, but that could also be a feature of a Shinshinto sword so this may not help. All this assumes that the sword did not come with papers but if it did please tell us what that says.I am looking forward to other opinions on this one. All the best.

盡忠報國 on the tang

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/137238358374 looks like top of the range!

I didn't really dig into the lore behind this inscription. I'm not sure who it is intended for, and why there seems to be multiple items with this same inscription. Maybe they are a kind of commemorative item from the master to his disciples or colleagues as he was winding down production?

Oh man... I hope the old man was better at his main line than he was in his trades! Thanks for your time guys.

Kyō-kinkō?

NMB Cross-Reference Shinogi ji inscription Gunto

My pleasure @The Blacksmith Russ! Thank you very much for the kind words. I still consider it a "work in progress". For what it's worth, and for those interested. Currently I am collecting each variation so that I can take more standardized "professional" looking photographs. Hope to update the document to the "Second Edition" around its 1 year anniversary. -Sam Here's a little sneak peak of the "work in progress". Had to shrink file size for this post, and I am still fine tuning stuff

Oh happy day… After quite some time of research, visiting a lot of dealers and talking with a few more experienced nihonto addicts I succeeded in buying a really nice papered Den Enju katana. I have to shoot a couple of photos during the next few days but for now here are the first quick impressions (no hagire to be seen on the photos, just a few tiny hairs from our cats Enjoy!

Suriage and osuriage has never really bothered me. I'm sure my collecting budget has something to do with that. Of course, I wish all swords were ubu. I also wish that I was taller I think it's interesting for what it is. That said, I'm not sure I would ever shop for, or buy something like this. -Sam