CurtisR

These should wrap it up, pending any requests of course :D . Curtis R

Greetings! I apologize for the delay...here are what I hope are better photos, or ones good enough that perhaps a school or smith can be guessed at? I know the initial thought is Koto, Kanefusa (nidei?) I have also done the requested measurements: The Nagasa is approx. 26 3/4" The Width at the Munemachi is: 28mm Width of the nakago is 25mm / thickness of Nakafo is 7mm. THICKNESS at muromachi is 8mm / mid-blade the thickness is 8mm. Thicknesss just behind the kissaki is 6mm. I do not yet know enough about hada to name it, but perhaps it will be clear in the pictures. Y'all were correct in saying that the hamon looks like (ko) Gunome, and has much more "room" on it than it first seemed, although it does have the very cleanly cut Futasuji-hi. As for the Kasane, it is very slightly rounded but I guess more "flat" than rounded. So - here come the pics...any thoughts are appreciated! Curtis R.

Thank you Brian, I was going to ask about whether shinsa would be good for it or not. As you say, there's no argument as to smith so it should do fine :D . I've used a bit of uchicoand am working it slooooowly, but so far, NO major flaws! Photos later this afternoon, and then you can re-issue an opinion. I'd be excited to see how it did at Shinsa, but don't know 1) which group to join of the two most noted and 2) when the next shinsa would be for either. If anyone has an opinion here, I'd very much like to hear it. Sounds like it's time to join. I know Mr. Bowen is the "Jefe" for one here in the US and have hear good things about it but - well - politics abound and are the only true perpetual motion machine I've found . NOT trying to start an argument - just wondering about success and usefulness at a novice collector's level ~~ Curtis R.

Well, The blade is a keeper (or I am it's current steward, anyhow ). I've been taking some pics with a tripod and Nikon and will post them tonight and tomorrow here unless Admin would like them somewhere else of course. The issue I'm dealing with immediately are the small areas of black rust alonf the blde There was just something about it. The mi is un-nicked, which from what I've seen is rare. I have two other Nihonto & both are signed - I'd really appreciate help - after the pics are up of course - that might hint and lead me to ID-ing the correct school, as it is mumei. The Tsuka was coming unwrapped I ended up with two very cool iron (and well-made) little "twin barracuda (?)". Lots of study to do with this one but from all of the good comments (and the condition of the sword), it might end up being a good one for Shinsa even w / out a smith's mei. It will require new koshirae OR shirasaya, but don't think I'll have the $ to do so soon. Story of my life , Hoping you all won't mind if I post 8 or so pics....... Sincerely, Curtis R.

Wow - sounds like I have a potentially decent blade here - thanks everyone. And yes, I was using "Facts & Fundamentals of Japanese Swords" to judge the hamon, so plenty of room for error on MY part! I'm going to set up well and use my Nikon for the new pics tonight or tomorrow, so that should help a LOT. ALso just for documentation purposes. I'll throw in a few of the koshirae as well to give you and idea of the "cobbled" statement. Also, one of the things that "hit me" when i first examined it was that the hi were cut well and true, and didn't appear to be done to hide flaws, etc. Stand by just for a pit please, and I am getting the feeing that I'm going to learn a LOT from this one! Sincere Regards, Curtis R.

Thank you gentlemen! I got the feeling, just holding it and having it in-hand that it was a decent blade. No cracks or chips by the way. I don't care about the koshirae, but it did throw me a bit . Even being mumei it felt "right", if that makes sense? I apologize for the poor pics and will upload better ones within a day or so. I suspect I might get this one "for a song" (and I sing reeeealy poorly btw) but will know in the next day or so. Perhaps once better pics are up (and I do a bit more reading) I'll be able to find the school. Mariuszk Sir, you nailed the mune being Maru, and it IS beefy! I'm off to see the owner to see if I can keep this one out of the big plastic tub he has his swords piled (read: "thrown in to). More to come and again, many thanks! Curtis R

Hello all ~ I've acquired this katana - mumei - that is making me scratch my head a bit. As I said, it's mumei but appears to be hice work, pretty hada (sorry - no macro to show this as yet) and what appears as an ito-sugaha hamon. The saya seems to fit the blade fine, but the rest of the koshirae is pieced together from a WWII NCO's tsuba but with a standard tsuka core, decently made menuki in the form of Salmon (?) and iron f/k that are quite plain although someone tried to paint them a bit with gold paint. My word would be "cobbled together". My real question revolves around the blade. It is 26 3.4" length with Futasuji-hi, even on both sides and running all of the way through the nakago which has a classic kurijiri shape. The nakago has a nice, even patina and leads me to believe it was forged perhaps the in the late 1800's /early 1900's (as does the wear on the scabbard. the blade shows a bit of pitting but is otherwise sold). My question is this: am I seeing the proper age based on patina, or is it older? I can imagine it was sold after WWII, after being "cobbled", but seems to have a nice blade regardless. Should I run or see if I can get it at a low/decent price? I think it could make a nice Iai blade AND I've not seen the Futasuji-hi before. Comments, rants, etc. are - as always - welcome! Many thanks, Curtis R.

IF this had in fact been a legit, un-altered blade, would the general consensus be that the form (sori, shinogi, etc.) WOULD be of the Shinshinto era style? If I've phrased this wrong I apologize in advance but hope it gives the general 'gist' of what I'm asking (to see if I'm learning the blade & period styles)? Many thanks as always, Curtis R.

Hello All, Yes Geraint, that was exactly what I was referring too - perhaps not the best or proper term but you nailed it. Perhaps "vibrant" would have been a better word.... To Chris, I completely agree with you now that I see them all stacked together (the clues) like poke chips...I was going to offer a couple of hundred to "you know who" but at this point I'm going to let it be. I've just started looking for a decent wak (he has one I'm in love with) but not at the price of my soul, eh? Also to Chris, may I PM you? Thank you all and I'm at least glad that these things stuck out to me enough to ASK vs. crying in my (which still tastes fine btw, even with tears, Just sayin' :lol: ), Have a great weekend all, and here's to finding that "diamond" just around the corner ~~~ Curtis R.

Hi Grey, Wow - when I "stand back" from the kissaki as one would a painting, I can see what you mean about it possibly having been re-shaped. Wild! I was also thinking the patina on the Nakago was "too much" when compared with the rest of the piece, but doubted myself. I thought at first perhaps it'd been in a fire, but the rest of the blade says "no". Maybe it WAS chemically aged...I'll check it under strong sunlight/magnification tomorrow. I suppose if I reversed the blade w/ the nakago patina-wise it would look highly suspicious. Ahhhh the little clues - fascinating! Thanks Sir & if I learn more I'll pass it along. Thanks! Curtis

here are a few more - thanks again! Curtis R.

Hello all, I am seriously considering trying to acquire this wakizashi from a private seller...the nakago doesn't look "falsely aged" but does look perhaps legit shinto? Thought I'd run it by you all with far more knowledge than I, and see if I'm in the ballpark. The hamon is very active and pretty, although it does need a polish / and is currently in shirasaya. The blade has a slight bit of pitting Appears to have soe polishes on it's record (see photo) but still in nice shape from what I can tell. Also not really sure why the extra hammer strikes to thin the tip of the nakago (re-heated perhaps?) Any thoughts are appreciated! Total length - Sincerely, Curtis R.

Greetings, Found this item being offered (beginning on June 6) which looks intriguing. http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/27135196_rare-work-on-the-imperial-collection-of-samurai-sword Curtis R.

And thank you Chris - is there a link, etc. to view your sword? I really was fortunate as mine came to me in Gunto mounts - although now in shirasaya :D . Also thank you for confirming (or firming up) what I'd read about Akihide being involved in the commissioning of the sword - and didn't know of the one for Mussolini! I also read that Kiyokane had studied at Kurihara's school as well. Very interesting history, and thanks again! Curtis

Just a couple of very poor photos, but they do show a bit of subtlety....

Hello All, I've been studying my katana made by Tsutsui Kiyokane and of course learned that he was taught by Kurihara Akihide. I also read that Akihide Sensei was comissioned by Adolph Hitler to craft a katana for him (Hitler). Am I reading this history correctly, or was it another smith by a similar name who was comissioned? Many thanks, in advance Curtis

Just uploaded "Jishop" and it's going to be VERY helpful - thanks again to Thierry BERNARD for pointing me in this direction. I'm going to play w/ it a bit more but will probably also load it onto my phone. Many thanks, Curtis R.

Thank you gentlemen - that helps a lot. The blade is older and as Geraint mentioned, I've seen several older blades come out of shin-gunto mountings but haven't run into this before. It may be something different than a surrender tag, as it's definitely wood and not of cloth. Ah well. Thanks again - always such knowledgeable folks here and I learn a lot even from small questions and/or those of others! Have an excellent weekend ~ Curtis R.

Thanks Thierry - that looks like a very helpful program!! I'll be finding that one asap . And I think I understand what you're getting at Jean...makes sense. This blade is either edo or showa era, but goof to know that it shows up often on koto very often as well. And also Jean, thanks for the sites and links to examples. In the "Shu" kanji the smith used actual dots (like a punch-mark) vs. a stroke, but I imagine it's just a matter of his style. Regardless, I won't forget the lesson between river & country . Stay well all ~~ Curtis R.

Hello All, 2 gunto I've recently been loaned to oil & possibly translate the meis for have given me a couple of questions. One (officer's model) has a "surrender tag", written in Japanese Kanji on a slab of wood approx. 2" x 4". Writing is on both sides of the tag. I haven't deciphered the mei as yet but here's my question for this one: Is having the surrender tag an "enhancer" for value generally? Is there a 'normal format' for these tags that those surrendering them used? The second question regards another gunto Officer's sword - as best I can tell - with a silver foiled habaki (again, mei not yet translated). On the seppa and truba for this sword, the number "280" is stamped into each piece, but nowhere on the blade itself. I am guessing this is a armorers marking? Perhaps when a soldier was promoted in rank, a "kit" was issued to dress the old sword to display his new rank? Any info. is appreciated, and thanks in advance! Curtis R.

No Gabriel, I haven't seen that one but it's in my database now - thanks! And believe me, I didn't want to ask just for that reason - but now I know. I'm much better at speaking than reading. Maybe I should stick to that.... Thanks again ~!~ Curtis R.

Those are them (or they" who knows? ) - thanks John! Curtis R.

I'm struggling my way through a couple of mei, and have run into one - and a variation of it - that I can not find with stroke count/radicals under the NMB or other kanji sources that I have... It is three vertical strokes in a row, and the variation is three vertical strokes w/ each stroke seperated by a "dot" (3 total dots). If someone could point me in the right direction I'd appreciate it very much. Cheers! Curtis R.

Hello all, I'm trying to figure out the approximate age of this tsuba (which I'll be auctioning for the owner soon & would like to be as accurate as possible) ; I know it's Hotei and a mouse for the theme and based on the patina alone I'm guessing late 1700's to mid 1800's? The mimi is really quite nice, with a "curled" or spiraled design and fairly detailed work on the inlay (and personally I like that it's subtle design). Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks in advance, Curtis R.

Well said Mr. Trotter - and IMO, you're certainly not speaking "out of turn" :D I do need to work harder at the translations before coming here for help, and see your point. :D Again, apologies to Mr. Brooks - I've not heard of John Yamoto's book but will find a copy. Curtis R.