ROKUJURO

In my opinion NOBUIE style, but not traditionally forged.

Typical ÔMORI style! It could be restored easily if you have a belt grinder! It is only brazed-on copper, I think!

SHOAMI style.

No, KANZAN and JITTOKU. But pretty ugly indeed!

The phenomenon is called galvanic corrosion.

Is that really a granite plate the blade is resting on?

KO-TOSHO TSUBA with lacquer HITSU filling:

A side note From a metallurgical standpoint, the MIKASA steel was probably not well suited for blade making as cannon barrels have to be made of especially tough steel with low carbon content to prevent cracking. I doubt that the MIKASA cannon steel was used as single material, but was certainly combined with a hardenable carbon steel. The use of the name MIKASA was mostly a good marketing trick in my opinion.

Arnaud, when mounted, SEKIGANE are not visible, while UMEGANE are exposed and can add to the overall beauty/looks of the respective TSUBA. By the way, UMEGANE are not always made from metal. I have one KO-TOSHO TSUBA with a lacquer UMEGANE (this would not be the correct term as it is not "GANE" = metal)

No, it was certainly never close to a SAMURAI! If you could touch it, it might probably still be warm from the press....

Just giving it a try: ECHIGO no JU AKIHIRO (last KANJI doubtful) as TACHI MEI.

The TSUBA shows a classic KANZAN and JITTOKU motif (https://en.wikipedia...ki/Hanshan_and_Shide) which I like.

Yes, for a water kettle.

Deanne, the blades are correctly positioned in your photos. Jacques is absolutely correct in his view on that point, independent of if the WAKIZASHI is too short or the stand is too wide. But from a technical (and less traditional) position, it is never good to put the weight of the sword on the TSUKA as this might damage the SAYA in case the HABAKI does not fit properly. This problem is often encountered when DAISHO are presented.

Piers, if I had the money I would buy it for the MENUKI alone!