ROKUJURO

Lewis, would you mind showing it to us? I am very curious!

Dave, thank you for sharing! Well made and quite interesting!

Anthony, if you want to put the photos in the correct orientation and post them in the TRANSLATION section, you might have more success. First and second photo (not much to read) with a 90° left turn. Third photo with a 90° right turn, but then it is still mirrored (= backside). Forth photo with 90° left turn, but it is also mirrored (= backside). I assume these papers are just a kind of padding or a means to stiffen the object. I don't think they have to do with the armour; might even be printed.

I have seen some YAGYU with completely different steel surface, looking more "sandy" than this one.

Ron, with a dark, non-reflecting background you get a much better contrast. This will allow the experts to see more.

Probably a carefully made national treasure.

The outside water temperature was never a factor as hardening was always done with warm water.

Signed TACHI MEI.

Bruce, you probably meant to write URUSHI ? It is close, but not the same!

That looks like an exceptionally fine TSUBA!

How does the other side look like? First comes a diagnosis, then the therapy.

In my eyes it is not an "ICHI". Could be a simple file test for hardness but also a secret mark to recognize it from other NAOTANE blades..

From the workshop in the neighbourhood of the first one?

Yes, that is one of the crude theories, but it is ridiculously unlikely when you think about it. I am working scientifically on this TEKKOTSU subject and hope to be able to present results in the near future.

Yves, this is called TEKKOTSU (= "iron bones"). It is a special feature of some TSUBA makers or schools. There is some discussion about what it is and how it is done. Unfortunately, most writers have no metallurgic background and try to approach the subject from the aesthetic side which does not lead far. Your TSUBA would be classified as HEIANJO style, in this case an earlier one with HIRA ZOGAN technique (flat inlay), most of which is still present. There are information that some TSUBASHI working in that style did not make the TSUBA plate themselves but bought them from more specialized smiths to decorate them afterwards. This may be the case here. Attached is an image of a HEIANJO TSUBA with another decoration style.

HIRAGANA character "KU"? Whatever, I like it!

Last one could be MASAYOSHI.

Not surprizing. How do you quantify "taste" or "liking"? With swords (or any other works of art), it is not much better. There are many facts and variables to learn and to consider when making a statement.

Kenneth, welcome to the NMB forum! Nice little collection there, but to comment on the items we would certainly need close-ups for the details. Please use a dark, non-reflecting background for a good contrast when making photos, and cut off what is not needed to show the object. Photos of the HIMOTOSHI are always important.

Perhaps you find something in these papers: And can I ask why and what you are searching for? Nihonto-Steel (1) Arnaud NMB.pdf Study_of_Microstructures_on_Cross Section_of_Japanese_sword.pdf

I don't see a crack which would be a KIZU. It looks more like a fissure to me between the cross-shaped inner part and the MIMI. Certainly from the manufacturing process as it is not one single piece.

There is a lot going on on that TSUBA! Might replace a Chinese martial arts video!

Dale, this TSUBA seems to have a "true" ORIKAESHI folding rim. The description of the SUKASHI as KATABAM/wood sorrel is correct. Apple blossoms have five petals like most ROSACEAE.

This groove has no technical purpose in my opinion. Might be just a mistake by an amateur who was going to cut it too short, but after rethinking, decided otherwise.

Rob, animal skin would not be too exotic; I have seen a number of these besides the standard SAME (pearl ray skin). Shark-skin can even be found on WWII Navy sword SAYA. Shortening a blade may leave a mark on the NAKAGO, though on the (slightly out of focus) photo you provided it is not visible to me. A reason for shortening might have been to be allowed to carry it as a merchant. Only SAMURAI were allowed to carry blades of KATANA size.