patrick7813

All Ouch, as the OP, I didn’t mean to create a firestorm! I do not want to destroy the blade in an attempt to remove the black stains and therefore will not use a uchiko/choji oil paste. I have tried multiple applications of uchiko and the stains are diminished but still present/visible, mainly as grey areas. Discussions about discerning the differences between gendaito and showato (yes, I can) aside, the original question remains -- How (meaning best way short of a polish) to remove black stains resulting from old fingerprints from a blade (of any construct)?”. I’m open to any and all suggestions. Cheers everyone,

Brian Thanks for the suggestion. I'm relatively new at this (of all the gunto in my collection, this is the only with these types of stains) and haven't tried any technique as yet. I've read where some use both uchiko and choji oil to create a fine paste and then gently rub, rub, rub to remove the stains. They eventually come away. I want to guard against having a very clean appearing area with the remainder of the blade with it's original appearing wartime polish. I will try your suggestion. Regards,

All I have a very nice oil quenched Showato blade, signed by Masahiro, that unfortunately has several black (former fingerprint) stains on the blade (see pic). These are not numerous but nevertheless distracting. Other than these stains, the blade condition would be rated mint. Does anyone know of a technique (short of a polish) that can be used to remove/obliterate these fingerprint stains? Thanks for any suggestions. Regards,

Thanks David. Unfortunately, I don't have a copy of Hawley's. I have been searching for the Commemorative edition but haven't been able to locate one for sale in the US. I know it would be an invaluable help and tool. Regards,

Thanks very much. I appreciate it greatly. After reviewing, you'r correct, it is Munenaga. I did a little more research and I believe the first 2 characters translate to Nishibe (his family name). He's defined in Slough's on page 120. Cheers,

Hello again everyone I'm new at translating. I have a 4 character mei (see pic) where I can identify (I think) only 1 of the 4 characters, as: ? ? Mune ? This is from a showato blade. Can anyone help fill in the remaining character translations and/or verify/correct the one I believe I have done? Thanks and regards,

Thanks to all. I've been convinced not to proceed with any new polishing. Cheers,

Hi All I have a WW2 blade with the nakago signed by Ikansai Kunimori (nee Yasuhiro). See pictures. It was made after he left the Yasukuni shrine (1936) and is in aged wartime polish, but very good condition. It does have one nick (larger than a nail catcher - the picture with the paper clip illustrates the size) about 6 inches from the kissaki. There are also a few nail catchers closeby the nick. The nagasa is 26 ¼ inches. Is it worth the expense of a new polish? If so, can anyone recommendation polishers? Cheers,

Hi Steven Yes, the blade is still in wartime polish. My oldest daughter has the same camera rig that Jean uses (Nikon D40 and external LED torch light), so I'm going to give that a try. That failing, I'll be at a loss to get any better, detailed pictures. Now that you've mentioned the state of polish, I realize how that could inhibit taking an accurate and detailed image. Thanks and regards,

I was afraid of that (hence, my mentioning over enhancement). I'll continue working the picture taking and will only repost when I feel it's a useful/true rendering of the blade. Thanks for your continued help and patience. Cheers,

All This is a picture of a portion of the blade near the habaki taken with subdued lighting and then a photo editor used to enhance (sharpen) the image. I’m seeing the hada (possibly Kokuna or as originally presumed still being Muji) and the hamon (possibly Hiro-suguha). I hope it hasn’t been over enhanced to show characteristics that aren’t actually present. I’ll wait for those with more detailed knowledge to chime in on this. In the interim, I’ll continue the photography experiment. Cheers,

Hi George Your description and level of detail/research certainly is not “raving on” but very informative, enjoyable and educational for a novice. I also found and read your original post “Star stamped swords (03/25/10)” and found that very instructive. Since I cannot locate any Yoshishige listed as an RJT, perhaps he falls into your category 2 of that posting “Private swordsmiths, and also Sword companies were commissioned to forge swords (nakago marked with mei and simple Army Star inspection mark)”. I’m still struggling with getting good detail pictures of the blade for showing the hada, etc. I did visually inspect the blade under magnification and don’t believe I see any grain (muji). I compared it side by side with a Kunimori (nee Yasuhiro) in my collection and there’s a distinctly noticeable difference in the respective hada (or visual lack thereof in the Yoshishige). So, I'm continuing the work of getting good quality pictures and the quest for clarity……… Thanks and Cheers,

Chris This is reassuring. I'm going to attempt a technique suggested by Jean to get closer and clearer pictures. That may take a few days for me to get all the suggested components. In the interim, here's 2 full view pictures (signature/date side views) that may be if use. Again, I appreciate your (and everyone's) help in trying to decode the origin of the blade/smith. Cheers

Thanks for the advice Jean. I have a Cannon EOS Rebel XT with Cannon 28-105 zoom. I do not have an LED torchlight or tripod. All of my photography to date has been for outdoor action sporting events. I'll get a tripod and torchlight and try your technique. Cheers

Hi George and Chris I can't tell you how much I appreciate your interests and help as this mystery deepens. I understand the need for better pictures but when you say “better” are you referring to close ups of the hada, nie, etc.? If so, I’ll need to get a true macro lens for close ups of the hada, nie, etc. I’m attaching pictures of the blade that I had taken previously for a catalog. Hopefully, these can provide some perspective to start answering questions. The nagasa is about 63 cm. I can attest the blade is quite sharp. I’m hoping this is a later forged blade when attention to finished details was relaxed. I will be disappointed to find out it’s a bogus STAR stamped blade (although it does display nicely) Cheers,

Hello George I’m beginning to share your caution. There is no date on the nakago and I too could not find Yoshishige on the RJT lists that I scanned. Unfortunately, the habaki is “stuck” and I’m reluctant to force it to capture views of the ha/mune-machi . The kissaki/yakote and mune are attached (I hope they're high res enough to show hada, nie, etc.). If this smith/blade is not an RJT, could you fathom an explanation of the STAR stamp presence? The person from whom I acquired this is a knowledgeable collector and I’ve known him for years. Regards and thanks for your interest and help.

Thanks so much. I appreciate it greatly. I have good luck translating some mei without any assistance while others just elude me. This was one of those. Hopefully, I'll become more skilled at translation.

Hi all - I have a shin gunto blade with a STAR stamped nakago and I’m having difficulty translating the mei (see attached picture). I highlighted the mei with chalk to enhance the picture. Any help with the translation will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Thanks, I appreciate the help. Now the fun begins -- that is, researching the smith.

Yes, I should have known to do that. Cheers....

Hi everyone. I'm new to this forum and have been collecting gunto for about 5 years. I have a tang signature I'm having great difficulty translating (see pics). The tang also has a Showa stamp applied which isn't visible in the pictures. I've attached 2 picstures, one is a normal photo quality and the other is a negative of that picture. I applied chalk to the signature in an attempt to highlight it before taking the pictures but the results were disappointing. I hope someone can read and translate the signature. Thanks for any help.