Ed Hicks

Tosu Ju Masa ____ Saku translation needed. Thanks for any help with this. Ed

Peter, You've made some astute observations that aren't readily apparent to many collectors. I believe the gunto swords sold in this sale would be easily dispersed among collectors and dealers in short order. There is a larger demand for military swords now, but I am unsure about current values. Online auctions have driven prices higher and there is definitely a leveling off recently. Collectors' markets seem to be down overall if not seriously depressed in many areas. I still hope someone who bought swords in this sale will share their new purchases. It's just normal collector curiosity to wonder what was in that pile! Ed

I'll have to leave it for now, but the tang will clean up somewhat. The engraving/stamp is really intriguing. Hopefully, one of the experts here has seen something similar. Shots of the entire cane with a substantial folding spring out guard. The blade is a bit tired as are most sword cane blades, but it's better than most I've seen.

Better images

Antique Sword cane blade with lacquer mei and bizarre stamp on tang that I've never seen...photos are from an iPad and I'll post better ones soon. The tachi mei looks like Kaneyoshi with three kanji above....the untouched stamp (lacquer?) on the other side looks like a flower or a mon, any ideas? Thanks for looking. Ed

Thanks, Steve, that makes sense. I guess it's just advertising. The lacquer was decent quality work when new, but it's now sadly about shot. The sword is a good o-suriage koto blade. I'll post photos in the Nihonto section soon. Ed

Unusual plaque with kanji attached to a sword cane hilt...First character is the number three I believe and I have no idea what this one reads. Thanks for looking. Ed

Thanks, that's far more dramatic than I anticipated. Ed

Japanese banner kanji translation needed (2 characters)...A WWII souvenir that I doubt is Samurai related, it may say sushi bar for all I know. Thanks for the help. Ed

So far no word from anyone who was there...If someone has details to share please post them. That sale likely had some decent if not great swords in the mix. It would be nice to see what came out of the hoard. Ed

I ran this tanto through the Tampa shinsa and it came out Tensho Yamashiro Umetada bori. Ed

Apparently it's still going on through Sunday...I hope someone on the forum can report on it.

https://www.estatesales.net/TN/Memphis/38104/1123233 Has anyone been to this sale?

Percussion Japanese Pistol, possibly a European import or a Japanese copy...signed on the strap.

Rabbit, Dragon and Tiger Kodzuka...I have no idea what maker or school, but it's nice. Ed

The blade has a kinzogan mei to Mitsuyo and passed the recent Tampa Shinsa with a decent score. I'll try to post better photos soon.

I can't say where the ashi are now or then whenever they were removed. It is possible the saya had a cover of some sort. I can't see removing the ashi for any other reason. And who could make a set for this sword? Ed

An old friend picked it up for me and brought it to my store when he travelled though my area a few years back. I'll post better photos when I get back home. Ed

Umetada tsuba

Imperial Household Sword

Tanto with Dragon and Bonji Horimono Horimono...Kinzogan mei Umetada

Thanks, Joe, I misread the Mori character. The blade I saw was suguha and of good quality, but the condition was really rough...Ed

I hit the wall with this one...Ikkansai Gendaito translation needed...I have Ikkansai Shige Kuni YOSHI___ Saku , but I am not sure of the Shige. Thanks for the help. Ed

I have no images of the blade yet and the owner asked my opinion on this mei. I know little about Tadahiro and this isn't close to any I have referenced so far. Opinions welcome and thanks for looking. Covered in grease...The blade is well made and I thought it was a gendaito before I removed the tsuka. The hamachi has not been touched and the blade appears to be in its first polish. Tight hada with active suguha Hamon. I'll try to post images if I can get them soon. Ed

Thanks, I failed to recall what or when I had asked originally, senior moments happen with more regularity as you age apparently...It's Deja Vu all over again...I appreciate the swift reply. So far I've found no reference for this smith. Blade is of good quality, but condition makes it difficult to discern much without a polish. Ed