hddennis

I only have a large tape measure now but it is just a tick short of 23 5/8 inches. Howard Dennis

Just looking to further my education here and learn more about my latest addition. Definitely an amateur I still have been dabbling in swords for almost 30 years and this is the first one I've seen push the accepted measurements so closely. Why would a sword purchaser pay for better than average mounts , a signed blade, tsuka almost 9 inches long and not pay for that last 1/2". I'm 6' 3" tall and this sword feels perfect in a two handed grip although I'm no expert in what is proper technique. Just wondering if there is more to this seldom seen size than a purchaser who ran out of money? When I first started reading about Japanese swords I seem to remember something about short katanas meant for quick draw or fighting in close quarters. Was that just legends passed on as fact? Thanks for your responses, Howard Dennis

Just picked up a buke zukuri mounted sword. Either late koto or early Shinto. Scabbard was leather wrapped at on time and it has a WWII metal ring hanger and remnants of a leather snap so it was carried in WWII but everything about it is several hundred years older. It has a 23 1/2" blade but looks exactly like a katana but just a hair shorter. Since it appears to be all original and never shortened what is it called? Pictures and tang rubbing to follow after I get home from the holidays Thanks, Howard Dennis

What Family is this Mons from? Howard Dennis

I've had this kogatana for ages but all I know is something about a retired smith? Can anyone give me more information about who and age and significance of "retired" part of signature? Howard Dennis

Where can I buy the decorative rivets that hold the shikoro to the kabuto? Howard Dennis

Yari arrived today so I can now show more detail. If anyone has information on this smith, name, working when, where? Listed in any books? I'd appreciate it greatly Thanks Howard Dennis

Thanks guys, yes it was a cheap blade for my yari pole so I really didn't care who it was, but for future reference I'd like to know. Will post better pictures when it arrives. Howard Dennis

Sorry I can't get better pictures until this arrives but I thought maybe someone could get some of this translated? Howard Dennis

While I have you all in a menuki interpretation mode, what do these depict? Other than fish that is, special meal or occasion? Howard Dennis

Thanks fellows, I really appreciate the help. Once again this proves what I've always thought as I study any of my latest finds for my collection. I seem to get frustrated whenever I can't figure out what the artist is trying to portray. Others not familiar with oriental art tell me I'm reading too much into it but my belief has always been in oriental art nothing is shown without a meaning or purpose. I seemed to fail to follow my own beliefs on this one as I completely missed the hands and feet on the creature and just went with something familiar and assumed it was a Shishi . Howard Dennis

Just acquired some menuki made into cufflinks. I'm trying to figure out what is on top of the Shishi. The shakudo figure puzzles me. Is it a kanji, bonji, meaning? Howard Dennis

Thanks John, yes I tried this before when it first came up for sale. It was recently reduced 60% and I bought it so I would really like to know what I now own. Howard

Thanks both Johns. How would I do a search? Google kamon and hope something turns up? Howard

Just acquired this and would like to know age and what the kanji say as well as the meaning of the symbol they are painted on. Thanks, Howard Dennis

Like I said in my original post I found a visual reference online but couldn't read it so I had no idea what it meant. Howard Dennis

Thanks, Any idea what the symbol it's written on means? Would the kanji suggest modern times production as the seller is claiming this box is 18th century? Howard Dennis

Can someone tell me what this means? Is it the artists signature? What is the symbol it is written on? Is it a family crest or Mon? Howard Dennis

Just acquired a tanto with a named blade,Samidare [also pronounced Satsuki-ame], can anyone tell me why a Samurai would name a blade this name or phrase? Howard Dennis

Just acquired this Japanese sword with a police surrender tag. Pictures were posted online by the seller and I was able to find out the name Kentaro and a village name. Now that I have it in hand here is a better picture. Can anyone translate anymore personal information from this tag before it fades away completely? Thanks for any help you can give, Howard Dennis Check here: http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese- ... se-382845/

Sword arrived today and several surprises for me. Check here: http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese- ... ost1070072 Just curious if anyone could make out anymore than the last name on this tag now that I am able to show my own photo of it? http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese- ... -376950-2/ Howard Dennis

Sword arrived today and several surprises for me. Check here: http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese- ... ost1070072

Thanks Guys. This was very informative for me. I knew of the large military sword surrenders but never thought of the fact that many were in the hands of civilians and they too needed to be rounded up during the occupation. Thanks for answering my question on my latest purchase. Howard Dennis

More information here: http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/Japanese- ... gs-376950/

Just purchased a Japanese sword and am awaiting its arrival. Can anyone tell me anything about the surrender tag glued on the scabbard? Howard Dennis