Shugyosha

Hi Ed, Maybe Kanabo Masashige. The first two characters may be Kanabo (金房), but I'm not convinced that I've identified the first one correctly. I can't make anything sensible from the remainder, though some clearer photographs might take things further. Being honest, I think you're going to have to wait for the heavy hitters to contribute. Best, John

I think it's a typo - whoever put the web page together missed a digit in the price, probably a "2" from the front...it'll be an interesting one to watch.

Hi Robert, Sorry, I somehow missed that it was a wakizashi... In other news, there's a Sengo Masashige here: http://nihonto.com/1.4.15.html And Aoi sold one within the last six months (I think): https://www.aoijapan.net/tanto-masashige-saku-sengo/ I'm not sure if the logic stacks up, but to my thinking a Muramasa tanto should go for more than one by his student so the Masashige prices might start to point you towards a low-end price for the Muramasa. But I might be talking crap... Best, John

Looks like Aoi will have one for sale presently... https://www.aoijapan.com/appraisal-quiz-445

There are other possibilities in Markus Sesko's book beginning with the 大 kanji, but again (for me) they don't quite tie up in terms of relating these kanji to what remains of the shapes on the tang: 大脇毛 - O Wakige - "armpit hair". 大雁骨 – O Karigane - a cut across the shoulder blades. 大毛ナシ - O Kenashi - large no hair cut. Yep, that's what it says in the book. However, I think it is heading in the right direction to assume that the first three kanji relate to the type of cut. Also the combination 切 手"kirite" is one that appears in a number of the inscriptions in Markus's book meaning "cut through" which might link in to what Ray has already. Unfortunately, that's all I can offer apart from apologies if I'm going over stuff that's obvious. Best, John

Thanks for posting Michael, it's been fun trying to work out an answer. I'm backing Thomas: I found a thread on here posted by PaulB on the Aoe school and the hada was the best match I've found so far...in fact I'll go (way, way, way) out on a limb and say Chu Aoe as there isn't much by way of sumegane in Michael's picture.

Hi John, I got 望 - bou - wish, hope, desire, aspiration, expectation. So maybe "in response to Mr Akiyama's wishes" might work as a translation - but it's the sort of thing that really gives me a headache and I wouldn't argue the toss if someone said something different. Best, John

Hi Dennis, I just "liked" your post. Did that help improve your rating? Hi Paul, I hope the edit takes care of it. Best, John

Maybe Akiyama?? 秋山 Best, John

Thanks Jean - I've got to learn to look harder.

I'll take a punt at the kissaki again: it looks a lot more healthy in Aoi's oshigata when compared to that in the Juyo papers but for me the light/ dark photograph that highlights the nioi guchi isn't sufficiently clear in this area for me to tell if it's hadori or something more.

Order placed!! Well done Grev. Really looking forward to a good read - I'll give it a review on here once I get it.

Hi Erick, No harm done - welcome to the forum and to the weird and wacky world of Nihonto. Apologies to you - I didn't mean to sound harsh. I just saw your swords on the other thread and I hope that you enjoy them - you've done pretty well for starters IHMO. I certainly did far worse. Kind regards, John

Hi, I still don't know your name. I wasn't being "passive aggressive" or even aggressive, I did after all provide the information that you requested and some thanks would have been polite. How about re-posting your thread in the Izakaya as there are a number if Iai practitioners on the forum and you will perhaps get the information you want there.

Hi, Sorry to seem unwelcoming but: 1. We are interested in traditionally made Japanese swords on here rather than martial arts swords; and 2. we require a name as well as a handle. As regards your shinken, you have all the information already - the tang reads Noshu Kane Sada saku - made in the province of Mino by Kanesada. Best, John

Is Aoi still in Ginza? I thought I read that he was moving to a new property...

Hi Kubur, Marcus Sesko's Swordsmiths of Japan lists three makers signing in this way so it may be one of them: MORITSUNE (盛常), Eishō (永正, 1504-1521), Kaga – “Moritsune” (盛常) MORITSUNE (盛常), Kyōroku (享禄, 1528-1532), Bungo – “Moritsune” (盛常), “Hōshū-jū Takada Moritsune saku” (豊州住高田盛常作), “Moritsune saku” (盛常作), Taira-Takada school MORITSUNE (盛常), Eiroku (永禄, 1558-1570), Bungo – “Hōshū Takada-jū Taira Moritsune” (豊州高田住平盛常), “Taira Moritsune” (平盛常), Taira-Takada school, itame mixed with masame and shirake, gunome-midare in ko-nie-deki with a compact nioiguchi. That said, my initial feeling was that the blade was later than this but if you want to post some better pictures of the blade itself including any activity in the edge and tip then you might get some better views than mine. Best, John

Suriage kanbun shinto??

Thanks Matt. Best, John

Brass tsuba: 鶴鳴 街 Tsuruga machi 改次 Masatsugu I think this is correct but I'd be grateful for any correction if I'm mistaken.

東都住貞恒 Toto Ju Sadatsune (I believe).

章孝 Aki taka + Kao There's only one in Haynes: "H00073.0. Died 1854; NTS: iron tsuba carved and inlaid with blooming lotus plants".

There's also a programme on immediately before it (9.00pm) called The Art of Japanese Life which explores connections between Japanese culture and the natural environment.

Isn't it a fairly common ploy to make a false statement (traditional, hand-forged), provide the information that contradicts it (Sho stamp) and then leave it to potential buyers to draw a conclusion? Those who know would assume that in most cases the armoury stamp would point to a gunto whereas the more naive will focus on the buyer's description, thinking that they are getting something better than is actually being sold. When a dissatisfied buyer cries fraud, the seller merely points to his disclosure of a material fact that ought to have put the buyer on notice. For me this is dishonesty but I'm not sure it amounts to fraud...I'd leave that to the more legally minded to decide.

Doesn't the "Sho" stamp imply that it is a Gunto and not a traditional hand-forged blade?