Moley

Thanks Chris, Nakago just felt a bit small for the balance. Not too bad with tsuka on. It’s a fairly big blade at 72 cm and 31.5 at the hamachi.

Hi Ken, All this got me thinking. Whilst putting it all back together last night, the Nakago did indeed feel "a bit small" for the chunky blade's balance. So it might be suriage after all. If that is the case, then the blade would have had yaki-dashi? (Also click on "blade" attachment and you can see what I mean)

Hi Chris, Thanks for the input. The hamon continues under the Hamaki and also for about 1cm (Half the wave) after the Hamachi before flatlining. I don't think the nakago is Suriage either.

Another of the hamon

Kissaki

Here's another shot. Thanks

Hi there friends, It looks like I have a lot of research to do on a new Nihonto. Can anyone help me on my way by identifying this type of hamon (or point me to an useful reference site) Thanks in advance Guys. Gwyn

Hi Ray, Roy doesn't know about it's history. (Did you polish it by any chance?)

Thank you.. I am corrected.. But Is there any difference in "Quality" ??? In the U.K. the Navy is the "Senior Service" .. So has more "snob value" ??? How about Japan? Moley

Please forgive me if this is taking the thread offline. But Looking at this wonderful exmple I have often wondered... Were Kai -gunto .. (Navy swords) "Superior" to Kuy Gunto (Army Swords) ? Please forgive me if I used the wrong terms. It just seems to me that the "Navy" swords have so much "better" koshirae?? Or... is this my interpretation? Any reason for me thinking this? Any difference in the actual blades? (I know some were stainless steel) But "Otherwise" ???? Gwyn

Yes - Thanks Pepe Photo 01 Tsukas placed where mekugiana's line up with ana on mei Photo 02 Tsukas placed where mekugiana's line up with ana nearest Hamachi.

Hi Martin, Thanks for this. So if this is correct, it means that the upper ana was even more redundant after the shortening? So why drill it? a puzzle ! Also there is no sign of another (original before the shortening) ana except the one used. (at 31 inch ( 79.cm) Nagasa 38 inch (97cm) overall it is quite a long blade)

Hi Everybody, Something's puzzling me. I have a Minamoto Teru Hisa blade in shirasaya which I think is ubu. It has two mekugi ana. Now the puzzling bit is that the hole used in the shirasaya fitting is the one nearest the back of the nakago. (as in photo 01). I have also put a spare Tsuka off something else near it for comparison. If it was suriage, then possibly this Mekugi hole would now be redundant. But it isn't. This would be the bet fit for seppa and Tsuba. The other hole seems far too near the habaki to fit seppa and a Tsuba? (photo 02) In fact it would bring the fuchi over the hamaki. Why drill this extra hole? Any ideas? Thanks Gwyn

LOL - So what's new ? I would sit in his shop, drink tea, chat. He'd ask what I was after, then all of a sudden he'd rush off upstairs and come down with some beauties that were not on show. Great fun.

Hi Peter, I dealt with Bill for years. Visited his shop. Spent hours drinking tea and chatting. My brother fortunately bought not one but TWO really lovely Koa Isshin from him. Unfortunately, Bill has now retired and the shop closed. His business is sort of continued on line by his son.

Hi everybody So Anything NICE for sale in UK then???

Hi Klaus, Thanks for the good wishes. I am already on Kevin's (Ryujin's) mailing list. Gwyn

Hi Ken, Thanks for the concern. No I don't intend to practice with it as I already have an Iaito. Anyway every course I attend say "No Shinken" Gwyn

Hi everybody, I am a collector and a iaijutsuka (MJER) I have a very BIG birthday coming up and want to treat myself after years and years of hard work and denying myself everything. My wish list as follows 1. Must be U.K.. (I couldn't stand the strain of worrying over delivery and customs) 2. 2.5 shaku /75.8cm / 29.8 inches (no less) 3. NO KIZU OR WARE AT ALL (Healthy blade) 4. Must have Bo-hi 5. Not tired. 6. Age, not so important. 7. Must be Nihonto 8. Chu Kissagi 9. Koshirae not so important. please P.M. me or post. Will negotiate price on request. Thanking you all in advance. Regards Gwyn

Fake Look at the ugly overstated grain in the blade etc

Arigato Morita San, Thanks for the links. Very interesting. Moley

Thanks ever so much you guy's. I have heard of Benkei the Yamabushi. What is he holding in the Kashira? Gwyn

Hi Everybody, This set came with a potential Koto Nanbokucho blade I recently purchased. I'm wondering if anyone can help me with what the theme of these Fuchi/Kashira are? Are they a set? What is the object that is below the chin in the Kashira? I think one side of the Fuchi is helmet? What is on the other side? Thanks for you help guys. Gwyn

Some of the first Tsuba I ever bought. Not "special" I know. Don't really know what they are.. ...But somehow I really like them. Any ideas?