John A Stuart

This is a case that is similar to how we view authenticity of swords. Nihonto, made traditionally, by a Japanese smith under license; or a non-traditionally made analogue made in China from powdered steel. Which is authentic? Obvious, eh? Single malt Japanese whiskey, mimicking Scotch whiskey, or Scotch whiskey made in Scotland under license. Champagne made in Champagne, France or wine from anywhere made using the champagne method. Look at Bourbon, for the Americans; if not made in Kentucky, it can't be called bourbon, no matter how J. Daniels wishes otherwise. I know where I stand on this; 'water of life' or nothing. Of course this is moot if you are drinking for effect or drinking for taste. After a couple of shots of good Scotch whiskey, everything tastes like good scotch. John

Yes, Ichiryuken, 一龍軒 John

I have a little collection of these monies, with chart, including some various Tsuho. Scroll down a bit John http://www.johnstuart.biz/new_page_12.htm

Maybe the Kyoho period smith from Iyo province. John

I'll never be that big a boy. Oh, how I wish from time to time. ¥10,000,000 John

I stand by my reading. John

I wouldn't mind having this kozuka by 石黒政美 Ishiguro Masayoshi, and the composition is nice. That it is shibuichi is a bonus for me. Workmanship; hmmm, 7/10. John

Interesting. John

Yes, that's right. Baku and Hu, but, Hu after a vowel turns into Fu. John

Bakufu 幕府 Fujiwara 藤原 Where did you get Okina? John

It wouldn't bother me over much. Yokotani Eisei, 横谷英精 John

Showa Tsuchinoe-U Shun; Spring of 1939. John

There was that suggestion. I thought they meant 玉 I hadn't thought 球 nor 珠. I wonder what this is supposed to mean? John

Here is a pic that has Kiku-Ichimon something. I don't think it is a legit or even a real mei, but, what is the last kanji? 菊一文 is readable, 珏 is unlikely, but, looks like what it is. Curious. John

If you go by one name for it 鉄管 it means 'iron pipe'. It is a weapon of course just as is, well, an iron pipe, but not nihonto. John

No. The critical thing is 刀 which denotes an cutting edge. Although 鉄剣 has sword in the name it is a sword-like shape and not one in reality. Just like a tsunagi is sword shaped and not nihonto. John

#1 for me. John

Maybe, and this is best I can make out; 天正藤原政希 Tensho Fujiwara Masaaki. John

It looks like Norinaga, 憲長 John Dated 1943

The only reference to Zhu-cun is this; "Du Jianhui, Zhu cun lu: Zhongguo beifang xiangcun kaocha baogao [Recording My Residence in a Village: An Investigation Report of the Rural Life in North China], (Kaifeng: Henan University Press, 2009, 2010, and 2011) (forthcoming, China Review International)" If it is in Henan, it makes sense as it was occupied by the Japanese, 1938-1945. So, perhaps not Manchukuo, but, Henan. There is probably dozens of Bamboo villages. John

Maybe something like, 竹村 'Zhu-cun, Zhu village' or Takemura if a place in Japan, 駐 'stationed in' 箚 'communications' 隊長 'captain. John

Fresh and wonderful. John

大庭彦一郎 Oba Hikoichiro John

No worries, a good laugh, eh? John

Yes Toshimichi 壽道 John