xxlotus8xx

Thanks Grey. So I guess the flower was a common cutout in many schools? Upon browsing through that link I posted earlier (which was an excellent collection) I did see a lot of simular blossom cutouts in tsubas. Here is my next challenge though. Since the sword is totally disasembeled I am close to taking out the meuki (which are not menuki) to see what they really are. They appear to be WW2 Japanese military insignias but without seeing them in full it's hard to tell. I can see a cut in the leather wrap on the tsuka where the menuki's were inserted and the wrap sewn tight again. Sooo...would I be hurting anything if I took them out? Stephen?

Hmmm?? I'm confused.... :?

And yes it fully states in the link that it is Kamakura school. Not period. My apologies.

Go easy. I am a total newbie/novice but fully enjoying the research and learning experience. :D

Thanks. I did find this just now which states Kamakura Period. http://www.scholarsresource.com/browse/work/2144654500 As for the F/K the sword and fittings have been through a lot. It could account for the "bad cuts". This website is actually amazing. http://www.scholarsresource.com/browse/ ... 5?page=851

Greetings. I am trying to figure out the period/craftsman/any info that this tsuba was made. I think the flower is a lotus but I am not quite sure. Overall it "feels" very old but I am no expert. I did find one exact match from a dealer in Japan but she was not very interested in talking history. Here is the link to the tsuba and Seppa. Seppa has a Mt Fuji engraving? http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/451 ... 3e4b_b.jpg If anyone recognizes the styles on the other fittings that would also be helpful. Kashira Pic (Looks like there were gold inlays at some point) http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2686/451 ... 652d_b.jpg Kojiri Pic (Snowflakes?) http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/451 ... 6bc4_b.jpg

Once again this msg board proves itself by far to be the most responsive and informational. Thanks.

What period was hamon introduced in forging techniques? Reason I ask is that I am comparing the characteristics of period blades and I do not see promiment hamon until late Kamakura. But all the photographs I am seeing are black and white and it's hard to tell if the hamon is straight and short or just nonexistent. Thanks!

And whats up with the background? Indoors? Outdoors? A painted sheet? But a nice photograph none the less.

Wow. VERY nice! Congrads!

Greetings!! I will keep my question simple in fear of putting my foot in my mouth . Did the forging techniques of the mass produced WW2 blades produce hamon lines? The reason I ask is my robot internet trolls have produced what appears to be a WW2 Japanese blade but my newbi'ism always leaves me in doubt. I am fairly sure I can purchase the blade for a VERY reasonable price. The blade itself looks fairly beat up but not totally unrepairable. Pics (Not so good) are here http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxlotus8xx/4684360884/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxlotus8xx/4684360582/ Once again the expertise of the board is greatly appreciated.

HAHAHA...Well I didn't get the blade for the size of the Tsuka. Funny thing is when I do dget the Katana the first thing my friend said was "Sorry about your *BLEEP* size".

I figured it would offend a few people but really. Relax. It was for entertainment purposes only (aside from the 4 mat challenge). Let us not take ourselves to seriously as that path will lead only to the deadly sin of pride . I think yoda said that once...

Entertaining to say the least. And had a lot of fun making it. If any group would find it entertaining it would be this group. And no worries...The blades I used were more or less blades for backyard slashing and not collector blades...

Yes I agree. I have done quite a bit of research and I read that somewhere as well. For the blade to be in THAT good of condition if it did date to Soshu Yukimitsu swordsmithing would be nothing short of a miracle (but one can always hope). However the outcome of the Mei authentication my overall curiosity over the subject has provided a wonderful hobby to pursue. And I look forward to the SF Shinsa coming next month!

Thanks guys.... I have passed the point of no return. I am completely obsessed in history and research in Japanese sword and sword history. As well as Japanese political history because I see they are all intertwined. and have already made some significant investment in books and such. And really...thanks!!! I found the inspiration here on this message board and a rewarding hobby this is becoming!

Ray, the Japanese have been faking signatures on weapons, armor,etc for a very long time, so you can get a sword that is an authentic antique that had a fake signature from the day it was made several hundred years ago. It was the equivalent of wearing fake designer items in our times I would say. It seems to me that it was no small task hundreds of years ago to forge a sword and especially a sword that would stand up to the test of time. Why on earth would someone go through all this effort just to sign with someone else's name? And being that the swordsmiths and lineages are well documented it also seems like there was no excess of swordsmiths.

Good morning. There are some high res pics I posted here. http://www.flickr.com/photos/xxlotus8xx ... 719267187/ Most likely I will register for the SF show today and look forward to finding out more details and history of the sword. Also remember I am a complete novice in this subject matter and a lot of the references I don't understand. So just remember there are children in the room...

This has been very helpful information. It sounds to me like the bottom line is to get this in a professionals hand for inspection and certification. And in August that opportunity might present itself as I live in the SF Bay Area and can attend the show mentioned. I will take some more pictures and post them and look forward to more correspondence. I sense a high degree of professionalism here... Would it worthwhile getting the blade polished? (Professionally of course). It can surely use it. It even has bone nicks still. Honestly this sword sat idle since my grand dad returned home from the war and has never left the saya until a few years ago.

And thank you as well for the reply. I think the possibility of it being faked is small as granddad told me the sword was taken during one of the 4th division marine pacific island campaigns. Unless the Japanese were faking tang stamps. As I mentioned to Steven I will send him some better clear close ups when I get home. Thanks again and you guys rock!

Greetings, I have recently began researching a Gunto I inherited from my grandfather who served in the Marines during the WW2 Pacific campaign. He was in many historical battles including Iwo. Parts of the Gunto seems to be unique. More specifically the Tsuba. the menuki's and translation on the stamp on the tang. Any help in pulling some history from these would be great! If the pictures are to big for uploading they can be found here. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=9 ... f4fc020650