Ed Hicks

Translation help needed...Suke Tada (?) Daito. Thanks for looking. Ed

Thanks, the mei matches nothing I have in my references. Ed

Fujiwara Naokatsu mei...First, this is the only image I have so far...Haven't seen the blade, but I assume it's bogus.

2

Boxed Contemporary Iron War Fan translation needed...I assume this is some commemorative object, but I can not read the kanji other than the date. Thanks for looking. Ed

Chris, I agree they are usually lower end swords with the occasional flashy work like this one which is a mid grade gendaito. Ed

I have owned a couple of Masa Yasu swords with different signatures and just saw another recently...Slough's book shows three totally different signatures...Any idea how many distinct variants exist...I assume there may be helpers signing some since they are so different...The sword I saw has a wild hamon with extremely active nioi and is of very good quality. Ed

http://www.warpathmilitaria.com/engine/inspect.asp?Item=232&Category=All&Filter=Gallery Thanks, Brian, it is mine...part of a very interesting grouping liberated from Mussolini's home (link above to more details)...No way now to know if it had been a gift from the Japanese government or just a nice piece obtained some other way...It had a marble base when picked up, but the soldier discarded that along with Mussolini's office desk phone since they proved too heavy to carry. Ed

Martin, what can I say? I am not a bird man. Thanks for the correction. Ed

This bronze is part of a group of Benito Mussolini's personal items removed from his desk in his office at Lake Garda as souvenirs by a 10th Mountain NCO in 1945...I assume it was a gift from someone, but I have no idea if it was presented by the Japanese Consulate or from some admirer...Either way it's quite a striking piece. Meiji Bronze Eagle Mei translation needed...I read it as Toshi Masa...If not would someone please correct the translation. Thanks. Ed

George and all who replied, thanks for the advice.. I have several sets of complete mounts languishing that would benefit from an inexpensive tsunagi and nothing that requires a custom made one... I'll try a couple ideas presented here and see what happens. Ed

On the way, thanks. Ed

Another unusual request...Source needed for ready made Tsunagi...I have had custom made ones for swords, of course, but I have several sets of old mounts that need tsunagi for display and other than butchering a tree or two to make my own would anyone know of someone who offers such a thing? It seems that spare mekugi and tsunagi are items commonly needed and someone must make them...Sources, ideas? Could be an opportunity here for an able craftsman. Thanks. Ed

Brian, Like many here I have sold on ebay for years and have always offered sales to foreign buyers, but within the last year issues have complicated many sales...USPS no longer offers enough insurance options for most swords sold to most countries and there is very little recourse when something goes wrong (I have two losses and damages in dispute currently, one box with a sword was bent nearly in half in Europe and returned)...Add non-paying bidders and paypal issues it can be extraordinarily frustrating just working a deal...May be just me, but I have had three missing or damaged swords going to Europe just last month. Ed

Ken, Does your version have numbers or just the grid? Ed

If anyone finds a source with photos, price, availability please post it for us...seems it would be useful to all collectors and dealers. Ed

Barry, That sounds like an elaborate set up...in hind sight after over 35 years collecting, this sword board makes perfect sense for quick and accurate measuring of all sword angles, something that is difficult to do well with just a tape measure...Properly designed it seems there should be quite a market for it...Has anyone ever seen similar item used or sold in Japan? Ed

Recent Tampa shinsa process and questions. Chris Bowen and Anita (I hope I have her name right) did outstanding work in Tampa shepherding all the folks who submitted swords and fittings through the shinsa...at times I am sure it was similar to herding cats across a hot parking lot, but it appeared quite well orchestrated throughout the weekend...Especially helpful were Chris' comments when writing up the results as each item was passed to its owner...Learned a lot and I hope to see another event there soon. While watching the process I noticed the young Japanese lady who initially handled the swords use a wooden board (I assume to measure swords quickly) laid on the table in front of her...I couldn't see it clearly and wonder if there is such an item sold in Japan or elsewhere just for that purpose...It seems a clever way to measure blade length, sori and possibly other measurements. Ed

Thanks, John...I have no references that show him other than koto. Ed

Chris, I've translated swords for 30 years and am now having brain freezes...it'll happen to you some day! Ed

Katana and Tsuba Mei Translations needed....tks. Ed

Chris, That was fast, thanks for the translation...It makes more sense now. Ed

Swords Scrolls box lid title translation needed...I assume it's a title...The box has beautifully made scrolls with full length oshigata of major koto blades...Thanks for the help. Ed

A few more pages

There appear to be many styles that don't fit one school and I initially thought it was a pattern book, but I can see how it may be copies of existing tsuba...Lots more pages to this. Ed