Jeff Blackmore

A new day and a clearer mind; I've found where to upload the photos referred to above and here they are. Cheers,

Many Thanks Gentlemen for this assistance. Invaluable information. I am indebted to you. I bought this sword at auction here in Tasmania, late last year. My initial intro was not quite correct. It took me many hours to get the handle off, not the tsuba. The rust was obviously heavy and the handle had never been off until I bought it. The verbage was in excellent condition and close inspection of another photo I will post, will show the age of the liner and confirm its WW2 age. The sword is stored away and these photos were taken last year. My guess is that the sword was a family blade and was mounted for the soldier on his way to war. Would anyone care to offer an opinion?? The blade condition is uncared for and I only have the one photo to offer to this audience at this time. Again, many thanks for your assistance. Sorry Gentlemen. Doesn't look like I can upload any more photos ???????

Hello Members. I have owned a number of swords over 20 years and have been reasonably successful at translating the characters on my sword tangs. I bought a sword last year; it took many hours just to get the tsuba off. Excessive rust. I often remove the wooden liner to better clean the scabbard and the liner, and this time a host of characters were present on both sides. Can someone assist me with a translation of what we see on the photos which I will now try to post. Thank you in anticipation. Jeff

Thank you Jim for posting the link; it provides me with great memories of my first Shinsa. In a couple of weeks time when time permits, I'll endeavour to photograpg my sword and post photos for the reference of those interested. How I came to buy it years ago is interesting and will I hope provide entertainment for the local collecting group of which I am its retiring President; we have an annual 'Item of the Year' competition and I will enter this sword with its great story of Gordon and the Shinsa. Cheers, Jeff

Hi Adam L, As I am only new to this site, I do not know yet how to post photos. What I can maybe do is add the photo I took of the page from the book which shows the correctly signed sword and both hamons. Here goes..... Cheers, Jeff

Jim, Is it possible for me to get a copy of Gordon's presentation? Please advise if you can assist. Thanks, Jeff

Message for Jim P The book that Gordon referred to is NIHONTO ZUIKAN: SHINTO HEN (KATAOKA) As the sword is mine, when I returned from the Shinsa, I Googled and found a copy at Satcho to add to my library. I always wondered why the hamons were quite different; now I know. Cheers, Jeff Blackmore