growlingbear

I recognised the theme from Mike's tsuba from a previous thread but my funds weren't quite up to Tetsugendo's. But just to complete the set... http://www.ginzaseikodo.com/koreyoshiE.html James

Thank you Morita san, your translation was much appreciated. I will try and get some more pictures of the blade. Thanks again, James

Having inherited a Shinto katana I have been trying to learn more about translating the kanji on swords through this website and trying to translate kanji on dealer sites as well (these are good so I can check my translations!). The NMB is hugely helpful and I think I am making progress, however I have come across this date and signature on a tanto which has me stumped. I can work out some of the date (I think), but the signature I can't figure out - whoever this smith is, I'm struggling with his handwriting! The date is here: Which I think says "A day in the 9th month of the XXX year of Meiji" The signature is here: And I have no clue what this says. Any help would be most welcome! My friend emailed me these pics, I'm not sure where he got them from. I will try and find a picture of the blade to share. Thanks in advance for your help, James

Yours for a bargain $600... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-EDO-PE ... 337920e24b James

Thanks for the replies all. Any idea what the stamps are supposed to be of (if anything)? James

Thanks for the reply John. I hadn't thought they might be from a previous inlay because they seem quite deep and randomly applied over the surface. Could you help me out with what is it about them that makes you think that they were from an inlay? Thanks, James

I picked up this tsuba for a bargain price, and I have removed some of the active red rust which makes it look a bit better. I am no expert, but I think it looks like a Tembo style tsuba. The measurements are 7.8cm x 7.8cm and it is 5mm thick at the mimi and 3mm thick at the nakago ana. The surface looks much rougher in these scans than it does in the hand, but the colour is quite accurate (on my screen!). Is my Tembo school thought correct, and what age do you think it is? Also, does anyone have any idea what the stamps are of? I can't find any likely candidates here: http://www.shibuiswords.com/BITsuba2.htm Thanks, James

Press the shift key when you click the link and it will open in a new window. Or press the ctrl key to open it in a new tab. Hope that helps! James

Hi David, Thanks very much for the information. Do you have any further information about the Aizu Shoami School, or could you point me to anywhere I could find out more? The blade it was found on is signed "Bitchu Kuni Mizuta ju Kunishige" which I think means it is from around 1670. I guess this means the tsuba is later - do you often find later fittings on blades? I'm new to all of this so anything is appreciated! Thanks very much!

Hi Jean, glad you think it is salvageable! I have had a couple of suggestions from people via pm so I will get in touch and let you all know how it goes. With restoring the fittings, I'm not too sure what I mean to be honest! To my very untrained eye the tsuka looks old (which it is!) and dirty and the metal fittings all look tarnished and the tsuba has rust on it (photos are here viewtopic.php?f=2&t=12672 and any information you could provide about it would be great). Really I am just very surprised that it has turned out to be so old, and I would like to get it looking back to its best. I have inherited it from my grandfather who acquired it during WW2 so I haven't paid anything for it and it has sentimental value. I would love to find out more about it - this whole fascinating world of swords that I never knew existed! Thanks, James

Hi all, I am interested in finding someone in the UK who would be able to have a look at my somewhat rusty blade (picture attached) and offer an expert opinion on if it would be possible to restore the blade and fittings. Ideally I would like to find someone nearby in the south of England, but any suggestions for restorers in the UK would be much appreciated. I look forward to your suggestions! Thanks, James

Hello everyone, Having had some fantastic help over on the translation forum, perhaps someone can help shed any light on this tsuba (pics attached). There is also a picture of the habaki which appears to be made of copper. Any information gratefully received! Thanks, James

Thanks very much everyone for your help - really interesting and much older than I thought!

I have attached a photo of the blade and everything else associated with it. The second photo is of the name written on the piece of cloth - I assume this was who the sword belonged to. It also shows the blade tip. The blade itself doesn't seem to be in great condition (it has patches of rust - I think it has been stored in a cupboard for about 60 years...). I would love to hear any other information that anyone can provide. I guess it is very difficult to make a judgement based on the photos but any idea on if it would be possible to restore the blade, and a ballpark cost? Thanks very much, James

Hello all! Hopefully someone here can help me out with translating the mei on a sword my Grandfather brought back from WW2. I think the first three characters are for Bitchu Province, but any help would be much appreciated! Thanks very much, James