iowa1111

Just obtained a new wak, and having problems with translation, the characters seem a little different in script. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Joe H

Sorry, not to be so not informed, but when exactly did star stamping begin? I have a Kanehide blade from Oct 1941 without a star stamp, but am fairly sure hand made? Thanks Joe

No worries Stephen, you know as well as I any work to turn up in iowa in nice, master or not. There is definitely a residue at the end of tang, paint or other. I would be surprised if a signature is under it, I will need to inspect closer. Thanks Joe

Here are some more close ups. Thought I would see you there Stephen, maybe next week I can stop over. Thanks Joe

Sorry got some more Thanks JH

More pics Thanks Joe

I recently attended an auction-I have been gone a while and do not run into much in my area. This kind of stuck out for me- so I purchased it. I am posting several pictures because I would like the forum to make judgments on it. So far- Mumei tang-wood saya wrapped in WWII Leather saya. tsuka is wrapped in WWII tradition, but non WWII fittings. I believe blade and fittings were reto- fitted for WWII gunto. Tsuba is very interesting and uncleaned, I can see faint inlay with the proper light, opinions? I have my own opinions on this, Early Edo? Heianjo? But implore the board for theirs. I will post further pictures if requested in second post. Thanks Joe

My father asked me for some assistance on a recent purchase and I thought I could help, but cannot. I could use some help on the mei to help him out on his acquisition. I will also try to get some good pictures of the blade. Thanks Joseph H

So, just to clarify. A 1941 Kanehide with the inspection marks on the mune with a date and a signature, should pass mustard as a nihonto? Or your most reasonable assumptions?

Any ideas when the "star stamps" started being placed on blades?

Thanks for the information. And it does put my mind at ease, at least some. I am considering a polish and will only move forward when I am sure that is a Gendito, I have been hopeful since Kanehide did not recieve his rjt mastership until after the date on mine, which is Oct 1941. But I have not moved on it because of the stamp mentioned. Thanks

Just a question, but would a principle inspection mark, and no other marking, other then signiture, indicate a hand made or non-traditional make? I have a Kanehide with the principle but no others?

I am sorry for my confusion here, I was absolutely sure that the image I posted a few days ago was exactly like the one on my sword. After, a few days of thinking about it I thought I would give it a second look, and I was absolutely incorrect in my memory. There were actually two markings, and they do not look close to the one I posted. I do not even think these are stamps at this point, but can not find any info on them. Here are two images of what I found. I thought my memory was better than that? Edit Admin - rotated pic so we don't have to stand on our heads

Stephen, I apologized, I cut that image off the interenet becuase I did not want to break down the sword. It is an exact replica of that stamp. The tang on mine is the first two images I posted 3 weeks ago. I was being a little lazy, but remembered the small mark, so I thought I would look into it and see if anyone else has one similar, or information on the stamp. Or when stars started appearing on tangs?

I just remembered a small stamp that is located on the tang of this one. It is like the photo, does anyone have any other info on this. What I can find only states that it may be the Seki Token Corporation's trademark or accepting stamp. Also, should I beconcerned since there is no star stamped on the Tang? Thanks