Ron STL

Thanks Steve, maybe someone will recognize it. Need to see who this Joi is related to the top Joi. Ron STL

Hi, looking to identify this maker and also what the motif might be. Tsuba and f/k appear by the same maker. Thanks for any help available. Ron STL

Thanks Markus, for the thorough explanation. Ron STL

This horimono with red lacquer was examined this week on a koto era mumei katana recently acquired by a friend. I would call it a rain dragon and ken. I don't recall every seeing this horimono on a sword before. It looks original to the sword and has been polished quite a number of times. I wonder if there is a specific name for this dragon. More important, does this design if horimono point to any specific group of swordsmiths? Any information would be important. Thanks Ron STL

Thanks for this excellent information guys. I passed this on my friend who is equally thrilled to learn about this little tsuba's background. Ron STL

Okay, I see part of this (missed Shoami, thinking Masa...), but I don't fully understand the other side ending in saku koreo. Was hoping to get some thoughts on what the design might represent. Just an interesting little piece, I think. I have another tsuba of very unusual and puzzling design that the NBTHK shinsa couldn't understand, no opinion, so perhaps this might fit that thinking, too? Mark, your reply just came in and yes, an obi knot make good sense! Good eye, Mark! Ron STL

The photos show a rather small tsuba of an unusual shape with a long mei that I haven't been able to translate. It was recently purchased by a good friend. I see a Masa-somebody in the mei but suspect there might be two makers names on it. The tanto sized tsuba ia unusual and may represent folded paper (?). I had hoped to translate it but without a solid name to go on I'm at a loss. Any help on this would be wonderful to get. Appreciate the help. Ron STL

Attadhed is the desceiption of a Higo style koshirae that goes with a Naotane katana.. I a;m weak when it comes to translating wat is said about a koshirae origami. If someone could translate what is said on this origami I would be so thankful. I believe these descriptions can be very general, but it all helps is appreciating our collection. Thanks! Ron STLL

Kuniyoshi, yes. Thanks for the explanation on this print. A friend of my granddaughter went on a trip to Japan and bought this, thinking they overpaid not being used to dollar/yen values, and paid $350 for it. Perhaps a bit retail but it's a nice crisp print, framed. This will now direct them to learn about the 47 Ronins story and gain appreciation of the story. Kuniyoshi did such nice work. Ron STL

Hi all, wondering what story this print tells of and who is pictured. It looks like a quality Kunitoshi print if not trimmed. Just helping a friend. Thanks! Ron STL

Thanks Morita san, that's perfect. Thanks evryone. Ron STL

Yes, now that I looked at examples I see the lack of his kao. Also, there seems to be a lot of variances in his handwriting writing sayagaki. I have an ubu Jirotaro Naokatsu wakizashi, a copy of a early Ichimonji blade with his sayagaki. Now I'm questioning I have that right! Yes Ed, this is a desirable yari. My friend was bidding on it so I stayed off of his, but he took my advice to stick with it which he did. I'm looking forward to making a full oshigata of it later this month. Interesting hamon. I hope someone will translate what Sato said on his sayakaki. See nothing there that I can read. Ron STL

Attached is part of a sayagaki on a papered kikuchi yari signed TADAYOSHI, attributed to 6th generation Hizen Tadayoshi. This was recently purchased by one of our local guys. A lovely yari with interesting hamon. I am seeing if anyone can fully read what this part of the sayagaki says, it is beyond my ability. Also, can the name of the person who wrote this be read? Quite possible some unknown fellow but it would be interesting to know his name. Name and kao is totally unfamiliar to me. Thanks Ron STL

Thanks to Bangbansan explanation, I'd say this mystery is now understood. I also asked a Japanese friend about this and he wrote: 旧節句 (Kyu Sekku ) = Seasonal festival day by the old Lunar Calendar, which further confirms these findings. Of course, I will keep all of this with my file on the Toshihide for the sword's future owners after me. There is no way I would have discovered all this information with your help. Thanks! Ron STL

I've attached clear photos showing the complete nakago plus a close-up of the zodiac signs and the confusing three kanji starting with Kyu. Signs: Tsuchinoe and Tora definitely are for 1938, as the Showa 13 date also shows. The character kyu written on origami looks the same 5-stroke form as carved on the nakago. Again, your comments are all interesting and perhaps a clear explanation of its meaning will be found. All part of our learning experience. As you may have recognized, this is the Toshihide originally listed on Danny Massey's site, nihontocraft.com. Ron STL