Strider

Has anyone ever heard about what was done with the steel from a broken blade? It seems to me that if it took so much time to smelt tamahagane and refine this into nihonto, it would have been used again. Just something I wondered about Scott

Did anyone else have trouble ordering their book from Lulu? I am not the most computer literate person in the world and when I went to the site, it returned no results for the book. I hope I am not too late Scott

Hello, I am relatively new to this board and to forums in general so I do not know the proper protocols in some cases. From a personal point of view, I find this post/question a little bit disturbing. It seems that this is straying off the path of nihonto and education, to religion, politics and very deep personal beliefs. PLEASE note that I mean absolutely no offense to the member asking the question, I just think that some things belong on this board and some perhaps do not. I enjoy learning about nihonto and related items as well as the Japanese language, I am just not interested in souvenirs and grave goods. I apologize if I have offended anyone. Thanks for listening, Scott Enloe

Please forgive me if this has been asked before. I need to find the months of the year in kanji for a mei translation and could not find them in the kanji pages link listed above. Could someone either guide me or post a picture? This is only my second attempt at translation so it is going to take me a while. Thanks Scott

Please put my name on the list. I e-mailed you this morning volunteering my services. Sorry Jean, but as far as prioritary it concerned, us poor, partial french speaking Missourians have much more to learn.

Just a follow up oin Stevens advise, Oops is a trade name for Xylene solvent used by homeowners here is the states to remove dried acrylic paints from woodwork. Xylene is very volatile and should be used outdoors, it also leaves an extremely clean surface so you should be ready to apply whatever oil you plan to use right away. You can probably tell I am in the home improvement business and not nihonto sales but this is just my two cents worth Scott

It never ceases to amaze me the things that come up when you throw out a seemingly trivial question. It is nice to know that a person can get his silly questions answered on this board without fear of judgement by wiser members. I just bought a blade for study and plan to try to translate the mei on my own and then ask for a confirmation or correction from this group. Thanks guys Scott

What is the best thing to use to powder a mei so it can be read and photographed. I don't want to put something on that will not come out of the rust and I did not know if you use flour, talc, cornstarch or what. Please forgive my ignorance Scott

This may seem like a strange question, but has anyone ever heard about any nihonto being made for left handed users? Would the mei be on the other side as well as the menuki. I ask this because I was given a gendaito many years ago and the menuki now seem backwards compared to what I see on all swords. Scott

Well I heard from the seller, all he told me was that the habaki was not wood. It was my mistake because the photo looked like there were loose fibers on the inside of habaki and I assumed it was a wooden temporary piece. Oh well we learn somthing everyday [hopefully].As part of my research for this item, I had the thought that if this was indeed old, might it not be from the Muromachi period? I found a smith by that name and swords were being worn edge up. If possible, could Moriyama san have a look at the signature to verify? Thanks Scott

Well I took another look at the listing. Should the signature be on the other side for something that is allegedly 700 years old? I am by no means any kind of authority on Nihonto, but weren't swords worn edge down that long ago? This and the length have me confused, but that is why I visit this board. Scott

Thanks for the input guys. I also thought that an ubu blade should be longer than 26 inches, as for the mune ware, damage from actual use for such an old piece only adds to the mystery/history of the piece in my opinion. If the damage is from retempering or other abuse as was suggested, then that is another matter. I guess there is always a gamble when you can't hold something in your hand and examine it. I did not notice the damaged hamon, I quess I will have to go back and take another look. I have contacted the seller and requested the reserve but have had no response as yet. Were wooden habaki used because original was lost and something was needed for storage? Keep the opinions coming Scott

Could someone give me their opinions on eBay item # 320111314812? I tried to make a link but it failed. Has anyone had any dealings with this seller? thanks Scott

Does anyone have any information on a WWII era smith named Ujinaga possibly associated with the Takayama area? I have not been able ti find anything since I had a mei translation on this board. Thanks Scott

I wish to express my overdue gratitude to Stephen. When I was first looking at this board, he helped me post a picture for a mei translation. Shinbu Fusatsu Takayama to Ujinaga Saku. I neglected to thank him properly at the time and want other board members to know there are many people here willing to help out a novice with an interest in nihonto. Domo Arigato Stephen Scott

I just watched the Martin video, quite fun. Makes me want to attend one of the classes. Does anyone know of other videos that I could access with my computer? I have had an interest ever since I saw a National Geographic?? film many many years age where there was a Swordsmith, a Obi maker and an Indigo cloth maker. I wish I could find that one again. Thanks for any help Scott

Hi Brian, I don't know if you are seeing thinngs or not, it almost looks like forging flaws. The marks all seem to be on corresponding planes, suggesting lamination. Does this blade have the correct shape and sori to be from such a late date?

Does anyone know if habaki styles help to determine maker or time period? I think that since it is possible that they were changed etc. that there is no way of attributing a habaki to a particular blade. Any thoughts? Scott E

I was wondering if the magnolia wood from a tree in the U.S. wood be suitable for nihonto restoration? If so, what would be the best way to cut the blanks? I would think quarter sawn would give you the most stability, but slab sawn would yield the most wood, Any thoughts? Scott E.

Does anyone know if there is a way to eliminate some of the junk listings on EBAY? I know there are a few pearls among all the listings, but, some times it is just too overwhelming to look at all that chinese cr p! Any ideas? Scott E.

Thanks for the replies. I am sorry that I did not use the correct terminology when I posted my question but when I am not completly sure, I find it best to limit myself to what I know will get my message across. Thanks for giving me the proper terms. Scott E.

While comparing the variations in the hamon on different blades, it seems that there is more activity on the outside. Is this a common trait or was this an accident caused by the smith looking at the blade from a different angle while applying the clay coating. Just my 2 cents worth hoping for a different discussion Scott E.

I have a katana manufactured in the late 1930s early 40s that has an unusual tapered or stepped down tsuka. The only other one I have seen has been on a sword of the same era. Does anyone have any experience with these type/style of tsuka, why the non traditional shape? Thanks Scott E.

Thanks for all the help It's nice to have a place where you can go for other opinions. I cannot believe that this item went so high ,I hope we are not seeing the start of a long trend Scott E

I would like to know what some of the other members think of this, item # 110076143602 on ebay, sorry I dont know how to make the link. It looks like it might be original but the low quality of the fittings make me question it. The length is what interest me, possibly of use for a tall persons iaito Thanks, Scott E.