Cameron69

Hi Gents. Thank you both for the valuable input. You have given me a little more to chew on. I will load some more photos. I am agreeing with mark. Fukomoto Kanemun(Amahide Kanemune)The above comparison displays the same yasuri mei and there are too many similarities in the kanji to be coincidental, to my eye

Sorry for not posting my name. Cameron

Total length 860mm Nagasa 644mm Sori 18mm Kissaki 36mm Mihaba at mune machi 31mm Mihaba at yokote 20mm Kisane at mune machi 8mm Kisane at yokote 5mm

Hello, Please post good pix for good opinion. Generaly considering, crap pix = Cool beans, Cameron

borrowed pic

Hi All, Fukumoto Kanemune? Im not so sure? I have been looking at swords on line that were signed with this name and see some similarities in particularly the 1st kanji but I cannot conclusively decide. file markings are also simmilar. Cameron

Hi Ron. What a lovely piece. Thank you for sharing it. Cameron.

Hi, I forgot to ask if anyone has any idea of significance of the silver crysanthemum in the tsuka? Cameron

Hi Gents, Thank you for you continued intrest. I have posted a few more picture and I hope that they are of acceptable quality. I am learning more every day and find myself thinking words that I cannot translate.... Any oppinions are welcome. Cameron.

Thank you Brian. I was very carefull when I removed the tsuka. The rust that came out was not enough to fill a tea spoon. I saved it in the hopes of having it carbon dated. I must say that there is something about the copper mekungi that still makes me think. Why would anyone make their weapon unservicable? I appreciate all the help and interest by the members of this forum and invite any educated opinions on this blade. I have measured every aspect of the blade and find myself amazed by the symmetry of the interrelated parts. I can post these numbers but I need to equip my self with nomenclature. Enthusiasm- plenty, subject knowledge- zero I will dissasemble and cataloge over this weekend. Please can anyone with any interest unfulfilled by the current photography give me ideas on the shots they would like me to post. Thanks again for your interest... Cameron

eventualy.....

I will start by saying that I feel privileged to be able to tap into a knowledge stream with so much depth. My name is Cameron and I live in South Africa. I started collecting swords and edged weapons some time ago. I habitually frequent second hand and pawn shops looking for items of interest, very seldom do I find anything of note but over the years I have had some pretty decent finds, none compare to my most recent acquisition.... I came across a katana in ww2 dressing, the blade has been fantastically preserved, apart from one small chip there is no damage. The blade had been covered in grease to protect it but I could see the quality of the steel and I was astounded at the keenness of the edge. The mekungi was a brass rivett that was very obviously put in a long time ago but it held things together without the option of removal. For this reason I was nervous, but I bought it anyway reasoning that I liked the feel of this weapon. It came with a letter from the original seller who was given this sword as a reward by a garrison general for after the occupation. I very carefully removed the rivet and have exposed the signature and will be asking for assistance in translating. This is really exiting for me as firstly I am passionate about my weapons and have always wanted to own a "samurai" sword and secondly, the further I research the more convinced I become that this blade is in fact a nihonto. I have to say that there is almost something spiritual about it and I have to stop my self from handling it too much. The fittings are a little fragile. I just wanted to introduce myself and to say hi, I will post some pics and I will be picking as much brain as I can. Thank you for reading.... Cameron