Daddy Cool

I should probably post on here as ive already started a couple of threads and benefitted greatly from the member's knowledge without introducing myself... I'm Chris, and I live just west of London. I'm an absolute beginner in this subject, and so far my collection consists of: - a Sukesada (http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/21188-help-with-signature-translation-ww2-sword/) - a tsuba that arrived last night: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/21316-a-tsuba-that-a-friend-gave-me-rough-age/ - A WW2 Munetoshi which I bought at auction a week ago and should be receiving in about 5 days: While I love traditional Nihonto, I also have an interest in WW2-era swords, sparked by researching my Grandfathers service with the British Army in Burma in WW2, from where he brought back this flag (which now take pride of place on my wall): So, that's me - would love to hear from any folks in my part of the world!

Whoops! Every day's a school day! Heres a couple of pics in natural light, not sure if they are any better though. The fact that this one looks a lot more "basic" in execution than the links I put up - does that suggest casting? What else is a tell-tale sign? And if we agree its cast, what does that mean - that its a modern copy? Or is still Edo-period but just for decoration use rather than fitted to a sword that would see service?

Thank you! Looks like the same design here, although this is better executed/more delicate: http://www.trocadero.com/stores/zentner/items/1328088/Japanese-Iron-Tsuba-Daikon-Raddish https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-us/auction-catalogues/thomas-del-mar-ltd/catalogue-id-srthomasd10001/lot-616b092e-bbc1-4bdb-8658-a41f0107f68c

We received a parcel from a friend from Japan today - together with the usual sweets and curiosities he send us at Christmas time, he included this tsuba for me! (having only owned my first sword for a few weeks, I don't know how he even knew I would like this!) Anyway, he enclosed a note saying that "maybe this is Edo period". Could anyone hazard a guess to the age? And what does it look like that's represented - some leaves? The diameter is about 65mm by the way.

Little update - turns out I do have "Military Swords of Japan", and amazed to see it has a photo of the handover taken from the other side of the table - ie, taken BY the photographer that is shown in the photo in MY album! However, as expected, the sword (in the book) described as Capt Tsuneki's does not look like mine: (apologies for derailing the thread slightly)

Cheers! As for the condition, not sure its *that* good - the dealer im meeting with on Saturday also saw the auction and said he "would not be interested in buying it due to the damage to the tip" (not that i had mentioned wanting to sell, and have no intention to - at least not yet) but one of the reasons i'd like to meet up with him is to talk me through the details of the condition, what constitutes damage, what is considered acceptable for the age etc. But yeah, otherwise its reassuring to know its real, and its something i can use to learn from. The To-Ken society sounds good - perhaps something to attend when im a bit more clued-up about the subject, as i can imagine it could be quite intimidating for a noob!

No i didnt - i bid blind and took a gamble, believing the history described listing (theres two or three noob errors in one go, right?!). Thanks for the pic - ive seen that, which makes me even keener to read the article because im wondering if the front cover was a stock picture "a sword" as it doesnt look like mine (of course, finding the picture in the previously mentioned book should settle it). This is my first sword purchase, and its been an emotional rollercoaster i guess! Excitement of the purchase, some disappointment that its not in great condition, but then some encouragement that despite all that, it does seem to be a "real" sword and 4-500 years old. Having spoken to a buddy from a (car) forum who collects swords, and also a local dealer (who i will be meeting up with on saturday) it sounds like its been shortened at least once in its life. Ive attached some (low quality) pictures in case you are interested. As for the photo album, thats proving to be quite interesting as a (very) amateur genealogist and history sleuth. We spent last night identifying the cottage (in a tiny village in Devon!) that is shown in a couple of the photos early in the album. There are pictures of various ships (eg, HMS Charles Mciver) and the names of various crew, but the owner/photographer just refers to himself as "and self" - aaaarrrgh! If i can identify him, find his war records and/or speak to his family, maybe i can find out if thats him in the photo receiving the sword (though my gut feel is that he is the photographer taking a picture of SOMEONE ELSE receiving it). By the way, i see your location is London - not West London by any chance? Only reason i ask is that it would be great to know some reasonably local people so that maybe i could see some good swords in person, rather than just internet pictures etc! Im in Bracknell myself.

You don't miss a trick do you!? Yeah, I won that auction - but dubious about the sword being "Captain Tsuneki's", hence why I'm asking about it. I posted a thread about the sword here: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/21188-help-with-signature-translation-ww2-sword/ I'm also looking for issue 37 of Armourer Magazine (from 2000) because it has the following article in it: "The day Captain Tsuneki surrendered his sword" The book that Ian mentioned I *think* I have at my mums house, so I will have a look when I'm round this week. Unless anyone has it to hand and could take a photo of it?

Thread bump alert... I recently acquired a photo album which contains the following picture: Do you know anything further about Captain Tsuneki, or his sword?

Great - thanks a lot for the info guys.

John M Yumoto's - but yeah, a bit more googling suggests there were Sukesada;s into the 1800's... What would be my next steps in trying to get a rough indication of the age?

Thank you guys! If "SukeSada", my book suggest ones of three smiths, between 1492 and 1661 - does that sound right? The mei being poorly written - what does that indicate (generally) - a low quality smith? an apprentice? A forgery? If not "Suke", do you have any ideas what other maker it could be?

I wonder if someone could cast their eye over this signature - i just bought this sword which allegedly was surrendered to a Royal Navy Officer in Burma. Let me know if this photograph isnt good enough, and i will take some more. Any ideas or even partial translation would be massively appreciated! Thanks Chris ps. The seller claimed the signature reads "Bishu Osafune Honorimitsu" which i assumed to be a mispelling of "Bishu Osafune Norimitsu" - currently doing some googling and some of the Kanji look similar, but im not sure...

Ah, ok, thats a shame then. Modern copy, or could you estimate the age of it? Were the chinese copies done just after the war to cash-in on the fascination with the ones the soldiers were bringing back?

Hi guys, First post here, from a UK newbie. I bought this sword about 10 years ago, for £25 from an antiques shop in England. Im fascinated by Japanese swords but a bit too poor to buy a "real" one for now. Anyway, my grandfather fought in Burma in WW2 and left me a Japanese prayer flag which hands proudly on my wall. I hoped my sword was an authentic (but factory produced) Shin Gunto sword from the same era, and it hangs beneath the flag. Ive done a bit of internet research in the past few days which makes me think its a chinese fake -could anyone confirm? If so, is it a fake of the same period (ie, just after the war) or a modern fake? http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/ ... ry/012.jpg http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/ ... ry/019.jpg http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/ ... ry/015.jpg http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/ ... ry/013.jpg http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/ ... ry/025.jpg http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/ ... ry/032.jpg http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/ ... ry/018.jpg http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/ ... ry/017.jpg And for anyone thats interested, here is the flag, signed by several people (i assume allied troops) http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/ ... ry/002.jpg http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/ ... ry/008.jpg Any help appreciated, and i hope im not asking the same questions you are sick of hearing! Chris R