ROKUJURO

There is still Andrew Ickeringill in OZ.

Sam, that is exactly the way to deal (= live) with it! Others have other disabilities, and sometimes it is not even obvious.

Thanky Mike, the last photo is good! So Mauro saw it correctly!

Interesting! So what about writing FUCHI-GASHIRA vs. FUCHI-KASHIRA? I don't speak Japanese, but I always thought there were rules to it. And KOGATANA vs. KO-KATANA, KOZUKA vs. KO-TSUKA?

So how should we deal with it in your opinion? Everybody spells it as they like? No rules, no mistakes?

Hi Michael, I don't think correct spelling is based on a voting system, but yes, some people do it differently. SHIRO is white, but in my experience, most people (and books) use the term SHIRASAYA. Different spelling may also have to do with translating KANJI into ROMAJI which at times seems to be difficult for Japanese people. You sometimes see TUBA written instead of TSUBA, just as an example. Or look at the spelling of KATCHUSHI, KACHUSHI, KACCHUSHI. There is no sound like CCU or TCHU in the KANA system.

Buying (modern) Chinese stuff is always a loss (except for the Chinese....), but in your case the loss is small.

On the photos, I think I can see hints for it being cast in the first place and then reworked and finished with small brass inlay. But to be sure, one has to see the TSUBA in-hand.

Yes, I think I can read the same, but I am not sure it is a traditionally handmade TSUBA.

Kevin, to be blunt: I don't see it as pretty, and the SHIRASAYA looks clumsy and amateurish, at least on these phptos. If you compare this sword to authentic others in good condition, you will probably come to the same conclusion. Still, this discussion should not be posted here but under NIHONTO.

Kevin, welcome to the NMB forum. This is appearing in the wrong section, I think. Although probably longer, this blade looks like the 20th century tourist TANTO that van still be found on antique markets. The short and unproportionate NAKAGO and the undefined lines let me believe so. I hope you did not pay much.....

I apologize, I simply have no knowledge on these military blades! How are the blades fixed securely in the TSUKA?

Dan, you should show the entire "naked" blade without HABAKI and, separately, the NAKAGO, but I don't see a MEKUGI. Photos always with dark, non-reflecting background, and blade vertically tip-upwards.

Uncommon to me as well, but I have not seen everything that exists.