CurtisR

Several months back I posted for info. or thoughts on this blade...mumei, nagasa of 65.2cm, nakago of 18cm. The photos were rough, and weren't able to show hada or hamon very well, or the actual color of nakago so I thought I'd follow up with these. I still haven't gotten it pinned to a specific school, but I have a guess which I'll keep to myself at this point. It was looked at in-hand by a gentleman with quite a bit of experience, and he agrees it's koto and o-suriage (Sorry Mr. Bowen - he may still prove to be wrong lol). It came to me in old Edo fittings and partial koshirae, but the ito was badly worn and the kashira missing. Just for your consideration - it's next stop will be Shinsa next year . Curtis R.

Thank you Stephen - I'm actually wanting to have it done by the NTHK-NPO if possible....I'll look up the Chicago show and see who is doing the Shinsa. Curtis R.

Just curious if anyone has heard whether it (or perhaps one up in the Northern U.S.) will be happening next year? I'm realy hoping that Tampa will happen next February & searched on-line but can't find any info. Also, I have a dillemma....let's say you have a sword or two that you want to submit, and think they may do well & become valuable after Shinsa. Do those here who've attended these prefer to drive the items to the Shinsa, or fly them? I have the travel-tube, etc. for an aircraft but it really worries me with TSA rules, baggage theft, etc. ~ Advice from The Wise would be much appreciated! Cheers, Curtis R. Lakewood, CO USA

Sorry all - I should have put this in.... Nagaza is 65.2cm / Nakago = 18cm I did receive the following from a gent who's held many fine swords, so it's encouraging: "Jigane is very good and controlled...skillful. The ji-nie is bright, abundant and beautiful! A difficult trait to produce. There is fine Chikei....Chikei is a trait only found in good blades. Overall Tsugata is pleasing and well balanced, even as O-suriage. The transition to nakago is well done and balanced...a characteristyic of the blade as well as defining skill of the smith who shortened it. Good blades don't go to poor smiths for this kind of work. Boshi is well balanced and shows skill...original polish is well done and shitaji shows skill." This gentleman suggests (after haing it in-hand for a bit) that the shape, steel quality, hardnes and workmanship are all pointing to koto. I'll take higher res photos (cool deal that we ca now upload larger images!) and will post them soon ~~ Hoping this helps? Curtis R.

Greetings All, I haven't been "on" in a while but just received my koto katana back from Mr. John Tirado, Sayashi. He did an amazing job...used 10 yr. old wood with a very subtly "Tiger Stripe" pattern to it and a hor koiguchi. I posted pics of this mumei blade several months back, but here are a few better ones. I've been attempting kantai for the school at minimum, but will keep my guess(es) to myself until Shinsa in '16. Any geusses from the wise ones here are welcomed, of course :-). Curtis R.

Yes, sorry gentlemen! I was playing with the kanji for Kanemitsu and Kunimitsu at the same time ; Yes I meant "Norimitsu" for the mei in question. And yes Morita-san, the shirasaya does have writing and appears the wood is old as well. At the risk of being in the wrong area (although it IS in need of translation), here are 2 photos of the inscription ~~ Curtis R.

Well you had it and yes I was sounding it wrong...KUNimitsu would be right, but I'm not seeing the other vertical slash in the kanji " 則 " even though it should be as clear as the other lines... & based on the record and rating of the smith line, it *appears* to me that the mei is pretty rough and most probably gimei ; Do those of knowledge far greater than mine agree? I still think it's probably koto, although I haven't been able to actually look at it. I know trying to geuss from poor photos is fraught with flaws but try anyway . I absorbed the sounding hint, so it hasn't been without a positive side Again, many thanks ~ Curtis

Thank you gentlemen, and yes, that's the one! Just one little "tick mark" makes all of the difference...hmmm - back to the books :D .

Greetings - I hope all here are well. I've attempted to translate this mei but it's not really making sense unless gimei? What I get is : "Koku" (to engrave) " Ko" (Sparkle or honor, or - perhaps - light/flash)? I'm using a program called "JShop" kanji translation which is easy to use and finds them on phone or desk-top...I found both kanji, and it appears to be o-suriage and old (my guess from photos alone, mind you ) which comes in the shirasaya in the photo. Why would a smith sign as such, if I have the right translation? Many thanks in advance ~ Curtis R.

I've wondered about this as well Chris - makes sense though. My place came equipped w/ a tokonoma and I just have a few things in there - no swords, as I was told this is rude in a common area of the house. I do have a little bonsai in there, as well as a few pics and a couple of menuki. Besides, I don't want to put my stuff out for a "grab & run" break-in lol. Curtis R.

Wow Chris - I was wayyy off , thank you. The blade belongs to a friend who's grandfather brought it back - fairly nice blade (other than the varnished blade lol) ----- here are a couple more photos just for grins:

This mei is from a gunto, and I've gotten it down so far to: Sekei Province, Tada (??) katsu sukemasa saku zore (made this).... Can anyone please help with kanji #4, which is driving me nuts? Thanks in advance!! Curtis R.

Thanks everyone....I advised him how to best remove it (hopfully) and told him to give it a go. I've been translating the mei as well, which I'll post in Translation Assistance (stuck on ONE kanji). Curtis R.

Hello All, I was brought a sword today (decent gunto) but the blade has been coated in either varnish or shellac. Either way, it's old enough to have yellowed and fortunately stops just under the habaki. Does anyone know of a chemical treatment (nail-polish remover?) that will get this off yet not harm the steel? The owner's grandfather brought it back as a "surrender sword" and it's unknown who put the varnish on. The saya has cloth "piping" along it's edges which is very nicely done, so I'm guessing Naval...don't yet have the mei translated but working on it. Thanks in advance, Curtis R.

Very interesting and also disturbing. A question would be (since I plan to submit 2 blades to shinsa in 2016), after one receives the papers for their sword, perhaps the owner makes a "certified copy" (here in the States anyway...I'm sure other countries have similar proceedures) and registers that document with the State that they live in as a "certified copy". This wouldn't help the cats that are already out of the bag, but may prevent future questions or probl;ems when bringing the swords to market. The didgital age has become a nightmare for law enforcement in so many ways, but fraud is fraud and there are simple remedies to prevent these types of things, I think....for the moment.... I know it will make me do the above if/when I get papers back (that's the rub - can they be trusted??). Curtis R.

Barry and Chris, you both make sense...and o.k. - up, then down. Thank you both! Curtis R.

I'll be getting one for sure! Curtis R.

Good evening (here) all, I've been reading my ref. books but can't find an actual "proper" answer to this....question is; should one oil and clean (even with uchiko) the area UNDER the habaki and where the nakago ends? Obviously I'd have to be ver careful not to treat or change the Nakago area, but it's that inch or so underneath that I'm not sure what to do with and/or to. Shy of Uchico, perhaps alcohol? Nothing? Many thanks, Curtis R.

Absolutely Brian! Hans-san was recommended to me by an NMB member, and I know he'd be glad to hear how others heard of him. Curtis

You are most welcome, KM-san...he's an amazing guy. He's trusted to deal with one-of-a-kind Nihonto, etc. and also knows many in the other areas of the sword world there in Japan. The Tsuka core he's showing isn't mine (sorry) but wiill be very similar. I speak with him fairly often on the phone, and he's taught me things such as the existance of the Japanese Wasp! I had no idea such a thing existed! His apprentice here in the states (Mike Fegan) is also very talented. Hans-san does all of the wrapping himself though...Win/Win! Also many of the cultural differences, which is just 'cool' stuff to learn ---- glad I can spread his name around a bit. Curtis R.

Greetings all, I'm having a new Tsuka and saya made for my blade, and it is being done by an award-winning gentleman named Hans Koga in Chiba, Japan. He's just started finish-work on the Tsuka core, and my excitement is over the top. Please visit his site (FB only for now I'm afraid), if for nothing more than to see his beautiful work (many photos of his other works as well!). https://www.facebook.com/koga.bijutsu He is very friendly and although not "inexpensive", he is not insane on his prices for his work, either. I get no "cut" or discount for pointing you here, btw. :D Curtis R.

Ok then Brian lol ; I think I'll stick to reading more but as I said...never in-hand. Perhaps when he settles down I'll look it over and do my OWN photos! Curtis R.

Thanks Robert - yea, I TELL him to send me more, but does he? Nooooo. I'm not terribly worried about it as it's not mine, but still think the tsuba WORK is o.k., it's just the brass...for this gentleman, I'm only going to go so far in exploring it but it just didn't seem right. Certainly not meaning to waste anyone's time here and so I thought I'd post my initial observations. Ah well - on to other things and thanks for the info! Curtis R.

Agreed Hoanh - he tells me there are "2 nakago ana" but doesn't show me where...I told him "pretty suspicious!" but he never listens (or calls me before lol).

Hello All, An acquaintance bought this the other day at a low price, but the two pics he sent make me very suspicious (after his purchase). Possible to be suriage with partial mei removed, but the brass and work on the Tsuba seem suspect. I haven't translated yet, but the mei seems "sloppy" and not worn as the rest, and the Tsuba seems ok, but again, probably gendai? I have not seen "in hand" so am only guessing. Keep in mind that the table it rest on is WHITE.... hmmmmm. If he made a great deal - awesome - but please fel free to give thoughts/opinions. These, sorry to say, are the only 2 he's sent so far. Many thanks, Curtis R.