Davis

Some years ago I sustained a head injury which which subsequently left me with a number of problems. Sometimes even the most simplest things in life I find most difficult. Communicating with others is a case in point. Sometimes I cause offence when none is intended. That aside, even with a depleted I.Q. I can still appreciate great humour. You've really cheered me up lads.

Thanks Steve and Piers. Mick

An interesting suggestion Piers. Steve, assuming that Piers is correct, could it be that the then owner of this weapon inscribed his master's name onto it, before taking it into battle? Mick

Steve, could the final kanji read as Hiro? Mick

Thanks Steve, I must admit I've been struggling with this. At least it's a bit clearer now. Mick

I have a yari with a red lacquered bo-hi, into which has been scratched an inscription. Over time this has partially worn away. Can anyone read what remains? Any help would be appreciated. Mick

Interesting. Thanks. Mick

Thanks very much Gordon, the problem was with my poor computing skills. I've watched it again and thought that Nick delivered a very polished presentation and the film conveyed the stunning beauty of the sword. Hopefully, it will have created some very positive interest with the viewing public. Mick

I asked myself the same question Brian. Reminded me very much of another TV programme "Dealers" in which a well known dealer offered a pair of swords. Thanks Gordon although for some reason that link didn't work for me. At the end of the show we were told that Andrew Lamberty had sold the sword to a museum in America, I wonder which one! Mick

Did anyone else in the UK see the above TV programme? It showed, I believe, a fellow board member of this forum selling a sword to a London dealer for a hefty sum. I've just got home and too tired at the moment to provide a link but if you google the above and look at episode 4 you might get it. Regards Mick

Ian, thanks very much for that information. Kyle, the only article on the subject that I've come across appeared in a "Programme" of the To-Ken Society of Great Britain. I no longer have the back issues but someone might. Sometime in the 60's or 70's I think. Mick

I posted off David's tsuba and books this morning. Mick

I agree with Brian on the subject of museums. Three years ago it was discovered that one English museum had "lost" 140 plus valuable artefacts. Subsequent investigation found that many of these rare items, some of which were on loan had been sold off without the owners consent. Another museum threw away five painting with the rubbish, all of which were by well known artists. Some museum just don't know what they have actually stored away. One museum had the skull of a Japanese soldier that had been dug up from the battlefield in Burma in 1945. Fortunately that was repatriated to Japan last year. It's not only British museums that have problems. Did anyone else see the news coming from Cairo last month regards the damage caused to the golden burial mask of Tutankhamen? Far fetched? I think that it's the tip of the iceberg. Mick

Thanks for the link James. Fortunately, sometime post 1945, the blade itself was thickly coated with grease, which solidified over time and kept it safe while the rust set in under the tsuka. The blade, considering it's age is in remarkable condition and intact. There are some scratches and blemishes that I believe can be dealt with. I hope so. Mick

Jean Thanks for your thoughts. I agree, I've been studying the blade while trying to ignore the mei. It's an exercise that makes me realise how very little I know. The nagasa is 66cm, motohaba 2.5cm tapering down to a saki-haba of 1.6cm. Pronounced sori of 2cm, although this measurement would have been much greater before it was cut down. Kasane of 0.4cm. My photos are not very good and don't show as much detail as I would like but I don't think that this is a copy of earlier work. The corrosion on the lower nakago could be a "red herring" though. Please see the pictures of the rust deposits on the inside of the tsuka. This transfer of metal has probably taken place over the last 70 years. James Thanks. I too think early Muromachi..... and tachi. I belive that it's had a number of polishes and also a repair ( see photo ). It's very light ( can't weigh it at the moment ) and very graceful but it's had a hard life. Uchinoke and nijuba appear to be present but it's proving difficult for me to photograph. Thanks for the suggested reading - I'll follow it up. Regards Mick

Good morning all, I would appreciate some help with this mei, at the moment I'm in the process of elimination and trying to guess! Kiyo.. maybe Nori..Can anyone assist? Thanks Mick

Thanks everyone for your very helpful responses. I've studied these alternatives 'til my eyes grew tired. I do now think that it might be Masaiye, thank you Moriyama san. Stephen, I did give it a light rub before I took the pictures but the red background makes the condition look worse than it is. Hopefully, with the help provided I can narrow this down even more. Thanks Mick

Good afternoon all Even with brand new reading glasses I'm having difficulties with this. I've tried taking pictures from all angles with different lighting and this is about the best that I can get. Can anyone assist? Could it be something like ? Ju ? TOMO. Regards Mick

Hi Malcolm Thanks,some very useful information there. Mick

Hi Malcolm I know very little about the IJN, so Nishida san's website was new to me and very useful. I was able to pick up some titbits of information regards some photos I have. You mention a Kaigunto with a surrender label, is it possible you can enlighten me on this? This is probably a shot in the dark but are you referring to the sword surrendered by Captain Chiyoji Tsuneki?? Another rare sword was the one forged and specially presented to the Prince of Wales to commemorate his visit, aboard HMS Renown, to Japan in 1922. It came up for sale at Phillips in London many years ago and was bought by a collector on the south coast. It went for a considerable sum and I was very surprised that it didn't remain in the Royal Collection. Thanks again. Mick

Malcolm Thanks for posting this very interesting information, quite a bit of it new to me. The resources made available from members of this board are truly amazing. I really do learn something new or interesting each time that I visit. It's fortunate that these little souvenirs have survived the ravages of time as they provide us with an insight into that period of history and the cooperation that existed between our two nations. I know that the IJN was modelled on the Royal Navy and that Admiral Togo spent some years in Britain and served aboard British ships. Apparently he also thought he was a reincarnation of Lord Nelson! I've also read accounts of Royal Naval Officers serving aboard Japanese ships. This image shows the reverse of the postcard I posted on the other thread. It's not politically correct by todays standards but the words were written over a century ago and it does show a degree of regard for those picured. Malcolm, thanks again, it shows whats out there - I never thought that it would be possible to put names to some of the crew. Mick

I hope that I'm not straying too far off topic but regarding the Japanese as our allies during WW1.......Some Japanese Officers did serve with British Forces in France and the middle east. Mainly as Staff Officers/Observers. At the end of hostilities some Japanese even presented their swords to their British counterparts. This postcard depicts Japanese navy personnel in England. The Katori was I think built at Barrow and later brought the future Japanese Emperor to England some years later.

"What kind of koshirae......? These pics show how this tsuba is complimented. Hope they are of interest.

Brian I can offer these three items and combine them as one raffle prize. I will post them free of charge direct to the winner. 1. Catalogue of old Japanese photographs with price list, 2. An old Japanese book, 7x5 inches, 21 pages, some of which show designs for fittings etc., 3. An old "paperweight", very heavily corroded but useful as a desk ornament. Mick

Joel At one time London was awash with swords and they could be obtained very cheaply. Unfortunately those days have long gone. Living there can still have it's advantages. There are lots of regular auctions held in the Capital and bordering counties. Hundreds of swords can be viewed in the course of a year if you are diligent. Don't attempt to buy at this stage. Go to the viewings, handle the swords, read the catalogue entries, read books, research. Note the estimates and then check what they are eventually sold for. You can have fun too. Write in the catalogue what you think each might realise and why you think so. You might be surprised at some of the results! It takes time and effort but it can be done. I've always collected on a budget and found auction viewings very enjoyable and beneficial. For the price of a catalogue you can get to look at some good swords. All the best Mick