Geraint

I think we are making a mistake referring to the decoration as zogan. The source of the material for the two outer plates is the key. Now I'm running too.

Pretty close I think. Whatever else is causing concern the placement of the decoration derives from the source of the metal rather than any design intention. It may indeed be modern and it does look as if it has never been on a sword but if you are going to use a bit of scrap metal, what a way to go!

I think the clue is in what the surface plates come from that is 16th century. Fascinating thing, wouldn't it be great to find out it's history? Thanks for sharing that one Ian. All the best.

Hi, Have a look at this, http://www.nihontocraft.com/Mihara_Nihonto.html At the very least you have, or might have, a signed koto piece in polish and good quality shirasaya with sayagaki. Much to study and a group with some interest to it. What's not to like? If your estimate of the cost is right and provided there are no fatal flaws this is a bargain in my opinion. Oh, and unusual wakizashi sugata and a silver foiled double habaki. Have fun.

"Bingo no kuni Mihara"? And by the way I'd buy it like a shot.

Glad you got your sword back Chris, well done! All the best.

Dear Paul. You don't specify what currency you are working with but if it was me I would pass on this one. It has gunto mounts but the saya is at best scruffy, at worst nothing to do with the sword. The blade is mumei as you say and bears the signs of being a WWII production sword, though of course we can't see any of the detail of the hamon or hada because it is out of polish. If you want to collect military swords then there are much better examples around, if you want to collect other swords then there is little to recommend this one. We all understand the desire to own a real Japanese sword and when it comes time to part with your cash then of course this is your choice. Have a browse through the links to dealer pages at the top of the page and get a feel for what is out there before you make up your mind. All the best.

Surely not nunome zogan?

Hi Ron. Others will have more to add I am sure but here are some starters. Perfectly legal to do this, the recipient may have to demonstrate a legitimate reason to own it. Evidence that you belong to one of the sword societies usually works. The recipient will be very glad if you document the swords age as much as possible which means a reduced level of duty if the sword is antique. The law in effect states that it is illegal to import a Japaneses word unless it was made in Japan before 1945, was made in Japan by a licensed swordsmith or is for use by a member of a martial arts society. So basically any Japanese sword that was not made in Japan, (????) and any Japanese sword made anywhere else if you are going to use it for martial arts. Don't ask! The problems seem to come from customs officials who do not have a clue what they are looking at, but then why should they? At least that's a start. All the best.

Hi Dan. If you go to Aoi Art at this link, http://www.aoijapan.com/japanesesword/katana, scroll down and look for swords with suriage then have a look at the oshigata, click on them to enlarge. This should answer your question. All the best.

Hi Howard. On your original link to the War relics forum there is a page of family mon from a Japanese source which shows both left and right facing manji. Problem solved, surely? All the best.

It is interesting to see what commands a high price in Japan, there are certainly some surprises as far as koshirae are concerned. All the best.

Hi Trent. Do a search on the board for Bird head tachi, they come up from time to time and if you scroll down the page you will see a download from Markus with lots of info. There is a very famous pair which are sumptuous beyond belief and are in the form of male and female pheasant. The two you link to are unusual but...... A recent one was listed as gendai, you might try a look at Aoi Art for the example. All the best

Hi John. Nice tsuba! Check your PMs for some info. All the best

Hi Wiliam, I can't get any closer than you on this one. Someone else will chime in sooner or later. All the best.

Hi William. (You will get asked to put your name on each post, easy to do in your profile.) I am having trouble reading the first kanji but the second is mitsu I think. Have a look at the kanji pages from the link at the top of the homepage and you might have a chance to find the top kanji in hand. All the best.

Hi Ed, Given that you have looked at kinzogan mei on other swords what are your conclusions regarding the quality of that on this tanto? All the best.

Indeed there was another example in the same sale, lot 182 if you care to see it. A very peculiar tanto where the hamon ran straight through the odd kissaki and out into fresh air.

And what should turn up on Aoi Art but.....http://www.aoijapan.com/katana-oite-tou ... 2-gatsu-hi

And another, though of course two do not mean that they are common.

Hi Dave. Does the shirasaya have a hanger? I can't see one in your photos. If not then it probably was not intended to be carried as a weapon but perhaps retained by an officer as a personal item. The length seems to support this. All the best.

Hi Curtis, Some thoughts for you but without picture it is very difficult to tell very much. The surrender tag may be interesting but be aware that collectors sometimes attach a wooden tag to a sword bag simply to say what the sword is. It seems more usual to find a cloth surrender tag. If the tag details the surrender and if there is any way of verifying what it says then it may be interesting but I don't think it will add much to the value of the sword unless you can make some sort of connection like that. Regarding the numbers on the other sword, once again a picture might help us. It is common to find numbers stamped on standard fittings, they are usually regarded as assembly numbers, to help someone get all the right bits on the right sword. It is also relatively common to find an older blade mounted in shingunto koshirae, in which case shingunto fittings would be added to the blade though the saya is sometimes retained and fitted with a combat cover. Unless you are referring to an NCO style blade in shingunto mounts then promotion does not enter the picture. Hope this helps but I am looking forward to the pictures.

looks lovely, Mark. The sunagashi and other activities in the hamon look very good. You mentioned shirasaya next year, what does it have now? All the best.

Forgive me, is this not a kashira?

Hi Randy, Or you could buy the book format and always have it to hand. I hope Dr.John would get some royalties from it as well. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Namban-Group-Ja ... f+Japanese All the best.