Rog

Thank you Brian. As you obviously perceived, I just want to double check the integrity of the business rather than get burned.

Thanks Stephen, I did a quick search and did not find anything relevant, might have missed that one - I'll look again. P.S. thanks for the reminder about the nail, I've got one that needs to get pounded asap - - - OUCH ! ! !

Re: http://new.uniquejapan.com/home/ Looking at a sword on this site that I might purchase; but, want/need to know about them prior to sending fund$. If anyone has done business with them I'd greatly appreciate your input - if need be a private message can be sent to: michelesangel@yahoo.com Regards & "thanks",

Derek - yes I was trying my hand a little humor, hope it came off as such. But, thanks for your reply. Although admittedly I am a complete novice at this I was aware of the term and meaning. Chris - I appreciate you referral, especially since I have used his services in the past. He performed a polish on my personal favorite wakizashi. If I chose to, I could shave with it and have the smoothest shave ever. I have a scar on my right thumb to prove it. Foolishly rolled my thumb over the edge while wiping it off and paid the price immediately ! ! !

Not sure if I'd want to use it to prop a window open, then I'd just wind up spending the whole day killing flies and mosquito's with my wakizashi ..... although I certainly could use the practice !

My most recent rescue acquisition was obviously not cared for in any kind manner. It was headed for a most certain death at a steel scrap yard. This sword of little notable significance and produced by as yet an unknown smith no doubt was carried into battle by its owner and quite possibly with that soldier at the time of their death. With that in mind I feel that it is owed a great deal more regard than it has been given, and I'm curious as to what others feel would be inclined to do with such a sword at this stage of its life.....

Gabriel, no apology necessary - though I gladly accept. I certainly hope that someone is able to find more information regarding this sword and the smith. At this point I'm going to move on to over to the General Nihonto Related Discussion section, and place another post with an issue as it relates to this sword. Thanks as always to all.....

Another kind soul has given me this translation 必 勝 武 三 郎 助 治 Hisshō Take Saburō Sukehara That would translate as "Certain Victory, Take Saburō Sukehara" where Sukehara is the smith name, Saburō is the smith's secondary name / "third son," and Take is the family name. Thought some might like to see this, and perhaps weigh in if they see something different.

Here is what I hope is a photo with an easier viewing of the mei - - - (used the old baby powder technique)

It most definitely was not treated with any great care. I'm guessing that it had been in it stored spot for many, many year - quite possibly from the day it was brought back and placed there... Took another photo of the mei in hopes of clearing it up a bit. I'm going to get the rest of my camera equipment out and try to shoot each character separately and load them later.

Now I know I'm having a really really bad computer day - - - you are correct that it is a Katana - 27" (and I knew that even as I typed differently) and with that said it's obviously time for some much needed eye-shut................ will try again at a later time and date!

I'll definitely check this out - resizing is something I rarely have to do, so I'm not real familiar with that process. Thanks Rog Ok, so here goes trying to post a few after resizing with IRfanview -

I'll definitely check this out - resizing is something I rarely have to do, so I'm not real familiar with that process. Thanks Rog

Interesting ! ! ! Guess I'm just not having a good day at the 'puter... I signed out of the site and then came back onto here and clicked on the link and it shows my email address all filled in - - - they must have down their "Cookies" thing-a-mi-jig-thing presto-pop-o there it is stuff, in any event I've edited my original post and added the email address. Thanks folks - sorry for the confusion. Mow I just have to figure out how to get my photo's down to spec.

??? When you opened the link - did it show my email address (michelesangel@yahoo.com) in the top box and the empty password box below... ? thanks!

If you click on the link I provided the site should open to the Sign-in area, then just click-n-paste the password.. the album is - Estate Wakizashi . . . again, just double click on that album to open it, there you should find about 44 photo.

Greetings everyone - - - it's been a while since I've been here, certainly hope everyone is still doing well..... Came across a Katana at an estate sale and could not contain myself, something said take a chance - the low selling price no doubt. Anyway, I need a bit ( no make that a lot ) of help translating the mei. Well I've tried to upload just the photo of the mei but can't seem to get it to resize less than 1395; so, I've uploaded a series of photo's of the entire sword at: http://www.shutterfly.com/lightbox/view ... 30d33b21f1 michelesangel@yahoo.com the Password is - 14daM0ney$ The album is: Estate Katana - just double click on this one. Any and all information is as always greatly appreciated ! ! ! Regards, Rog

Just recently I came back to the forum to renew my quest for information regarding a wonderful Wakizashi that I acquired some years ago. In keeping with my own desires and a comment by Keith G. I have done a lot of reading and searching this past week. Sadly, just today during my search I learned about the passing this past year of Cary Condell (almost a year to the day). I can't say that I had the pleasure of knowing Cary personally. Just that when I first acquired my Wakiashi I was put in contact with Cary by another very helpful gentleman by the name of Jeff Castaline. Now, neither Jeff nor Cary knew me from a bag of beans. They only knew that I was in search of information and floundering. They could have turned me away, and maybe I would have carried on or lost interest. But because of the dedication these men have to this avocation they freely extended their hand and shared their knowledge with a mere novice. This sharing, generous and selflless act of helping another is largely responsible for keep me searching (as time permits) for all those facts, figures and details that one can find. So I guess what this post is trying to convey is: "THANKS"! To all the Keith G's, Cary Condell's, Jeff Castaline's, Dave Hofhine's, Dr. B's, Curran's, Geraint's; and, all the others who have posted information which has been useful in some way to another member. My time may be tomorrow, and I'd be remise not to let you all know that your efforts were appreciated.....

as I so far understand these matters you are correct, I just wanted to make that clear in case/before it became an issue...

Perhaps I should state at this point that the current Saya with this particular Wakizashi / Tsuba has no Kozuka/Kogai - see photo's... Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Just found this posting so I apologize for coming to the show late - I came across another similar dvd: NOVA: Secrets of the Samurai Sword (2008) and I'm wondering if anyone has seen this video and what their review of it would be? I've also just ordered the DVD Art of the Japanese Sword and await the experience it has to offer....

Well now, here comes the reason for my confusion and reason for asking - - - web search definition, and other sources definitions = sekigane: a) the small bits of soft metal added to the nakago ana to fit the tsuba to a sword b) The sekigane was a very popular way in which to adorn the Tsuba. The technique consisted of carving out designs and filling them up with gold color material. Some of the designs were basic shapes. In other cases the adornations took on the form of known figures such as flowers, animals, etc. c) Soft metal plugs inserted in the KOZUKA and KOGAI apertures on iron plate tsuba. Sometimes used instead of the term KUCHIBENI for the plugs at the top and bottom of the NAKAGO ANA. d) Ategane - A metal plug placed inthe Kozuka or Kogai-ana. Also refered to as Ume. So with all this info and similarities/synonymous terminology why would one be confuzzzed.... Anyway - thanks to all for the info! P.S. Keith G. - - - Why would I want to do a lot more reading? I came here and searched you out didn't I..... But yes, a lot more study is in order as time permits.

In the top image (#41) there is an insert shown in Kozuka hitsu ana (hole on left side) adjacent to the left side of Nakago hitsu ana (blade hole) - while there is no insert in Kogai hitsu ana (hole on right side). (*my apologies if I've goofed up the terminology) ??? I'm curious as to what that inserted part is and why it was made and inserted. Also, though my research I've come to believe that the face/front of this tsuba is actually the second photo shown. Even though it appears that the top photo shows more wear to the tsuba, seemingly indicating that that was the side facing the Tsuka more times than not. Thanks for any and all info - and I hope this post is clear in content, if not please correct me! Rog

]Just came across this message post. I too have a Wakizashi - signed: Ise no kami Fujiwara Nobusada. Still trying different techniques to get quality photographs of the blade. finally got the photo's up - phewwww..... anyone wishing to see my photo's in person just send me an email