JonP

Reading this forum from people of like interests from around the globe leads me to asking why. Why do you out there like to own and appreciate these hunks of metal designed for killing, what is the facination. For me a lifetime of involvement in the martial arts, bushido & Japans history gave me my begining. Then to see how skilled and detailed a craftsman had to be to forge the raw materials into a razor sharp blade with the incredible patterns of the hamon etc drew me deeper. But the real thing for me is the history of each blade; whos hands wielded this, where, what was the outcome. What type of life was led by the past owners & how did it end up in my hands so many years later. All probably unansweable questions but never the less thats what makes these things so desirable. I'd rather own a well made sword that I knew was used in battle by a warrior than a masterpiece that has spent its years on a stand being admired for its workmanship. Anyway thats just my reasoning, whats yours

Thanks for your thoughts. I guess to me when I look at the blades I own or would like to own, my first requirement is that they are real and made by a skilled craftsman. The workmanship on the tanto is beautiful no matter who made it. I have no interest in reproductions, the real fascination is in what happened after they were made. Who owned them, what battles did get wielded in, was history made by those using them. These pieces we all collect and admire were made for a purpose and it wasn't for hanging on a wall. So to me the real value would be to find out what happened with them, sadly the chances of that are very slim. Though for sure somewhere in Japan the descendants of the users of these weapons go about their lives. I enjoy looking at the skillful artwork of the design but I'd love it if they could tell me their stories. Jon

Very nice Mike. Sadly my kissaki has been sharpened some years ago and that messed the old polish on the boshi a bit. At least it made the tanto affordable for me. Be safe. Jon

Hi Mike, what part of I srael do you live in? I visited there and worked on Kibbtuz (sp) Dorot back in 81. A wonderful gentleman, German survivor, taught me to drive a tractor, and the value of a good work ethic. Loved the country, particularly old Jerusalem. I learned how to Scuba in Eilat. Great memories. Would be good to see pics of your tanto if you get the chance. Jon

Here are 2 more. Jon

Recently I purchase this beautiful piece. I wonder if anyone out there might know which of the Kanemitsu line this belongs to. I can attest to its sharpness, the stitches in my hand come out in a few more days. {had to catch it, couldn't let it drop on the floor}. Here is a discription. Known as a "Yori Doshi" this style of Tanto was constructed with an unusually THICK & ROBUST blade designed to be able to PIERCE Samurai armour ANTIQUE hand forged "layered & folded" blade produced Circa 1450 - 1550 Blade signed by maker Kanemitsu There are only 13 sword makers recorded that utilised this signature, several can be eliminated as working too early, & several for being long after manufacture Shirasaya inscription reads "Noshu Ju Kanemitsu" (Kanemitsu living in Mino province) The blade shows unmistakeable Mino manufacture traits in the "Taka no Ha Yasuremei" (Swordsmith's signature file-mark pattern) While incredibly feint, after 500 yrs, they can be still positively identified The blade shows VERY STRONG tempering clearly throughout most of its length & exhibits a very RARE trait "Utsuri" (temperline shadow reflection) Found ONLY when a sword is tempered by heating & quenching at the OPTIMUM temperature Only the most experienced and SKILLED sword makers were able to produce Utsuri in their blades. The ability to do so "at will" was LOST around the 17th Century, & only re-gained in 1972 by Yoshindo Yoshihara (elevated to the status of "living national treasure" soon afterwards) There are "Hadaware" (minor forging flaws) in the form of poorly adhered welds after MANY sharpening & polishings throughout it's working life. 95% of ALL Koto swords display Hadaware they are little detraction to knowledgable collectors of KOTO era swords. Blade length 8.5" along back edge & MASSIVE 7.75 mm thick @ Habakimoto (IE as THICK as any Katana !) Tang is "Ubu" (As made 500 years ago) Jon

Thanks Stephen for your interest. Actually I have seen that page on Ishido but am unsure if it is his or one of the Saitama prefecture brothers. The letter that came with the sword had the name but I'm damned if I can find it. I look forward to anymore information you might dig up. Jon

Can anyone tell me which Teruhide made this sword. The dealer said it was from the 1920's. I bought it from the US 15 or so years ago. Thanks.

Can anyone tell me about this mei. I understand the 1st character is man, 2nd is roku. So is the smith called manroku or is it a number reference for 10006. The man can be read as ban so maybe that is another clue. The katana is certainly hand forged and has a military scabard with a new peg hole but still the civil laquered sheath. I love the heft of it and the straightness of the blade makes it easy to use. The rust on the tang seems also to indicate age. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated