bubba-san

I have always heard that ! Tsuka facing right = not friend Tsuka facing left = friend...... Old shop owner In Yokosuka told me that !James Just my take on the question.

Hello Jason, here is a company that sells tsuba kiri wood boxes , they are about as cheap as I can find ..... James http://www.dragonfly.net/home/kiri-bako/ 15$ without pillow

Those are wonderful , I especially like the tsuba with the crane symbols (mon) ? Thanks for posting . I may try and purchase that one .james

Omedetou! Very nice thanks for letting us have a look .... James

Great pieces... As a collector of Japanese stone points I have an interest in these . I also collect American Indian stone points , some of which look a great deal like Japanese stone points . Especially the tapered stemmed types. I will have to purchase one of these ..... James

Thank you so much for the translation . I really appreciate . James

Can someone please help me with this translation . Thank you ..... James I met this knife maker in Japan . He does not speak very good English and my Japanese is ok but, I cannot read Kanji very well.

Taking everything into consideration , I my opinion its still a beautiful blade . Thank you for letting us see it. . James

Jean, I appreciate your input . However if its difficult to see right now , it is hard to visualize your words . Just squint your eyes and you will know what I see . I am translating your words with program that turns written language into audible words . I hope this explains my situation sufficiently . Saru mo ki kara ochiru Domo....... James

Jean, I know what you mean but, I have no shame... only if I make a bad blade. those pics are how I received them . What confused me was I did not realize the tang had been shortened. Additionally I am on some serious medicine and its affecting my eyesight in a big way . I have to read my emails with 2 pair of glasses. Hopefully after I am off the meds my eyesight will Improve..... Domo Arigato..... James ...... :D

Stephan-san Domo Arigato Gozaimashita ..... James

Lance, thank you ...... James

I will have him sprinkle some talc on it dust it a little, and take some more pics James

A friend of mine just picked up this piece and I cant seem to find the signature in any of my books , can I get some assistance Thank you James

Clem , Denatured Alc leaves no residue . You can clean the inside of a saya with a saya file wrapped with soft cotton and tied. Use a little alchohol I t work fine .... The file handles are 3 ft long . Use it like a Rifle cleaning kit . Or do it traditionaly by splitting the saya . If you have never done it get some help. wood is from Japan #1 wood . Wakizashi is only in kaiso-do polish James

Hmmm great looking Zaya for sure......

Hello how are you. In that case I use a mild abrasive like talcum or uchiko powder and finish polishing saya with smooth piece of slightly hard wood and finish with ebota wax. Just a thin coat so as not to clog the pores of the wood but, protect it from stains . James

I believe its shirasaya, shira means white I think.

I think the best way to glue and clean your shirasaya in my opinion . I have cut a lot of saya , ( Traditional) is to wrap several layers of twine around the saya after applying glue . It gives very even pressure for a good seal . You may also clean the saya with a saya file . Which is simply a file with long flexible metal rod Use it like a firearm cleaning rod . As far as cleaning finish.use a weak blend of turpentine and whatever coating or varnish that is currently on saya it will clean the out side without removing original finish just moves it around . Splitting one and gluing back together can be risky. Especially if its an antique one Respectfully James Saya files..... http://www.namikawa-ltd.com/product/122

Outstanding blade , the polish is great , hamon is super . Thanks for the view James

Very Interesting post . Some of the old mines contained different trace elements , giving the respective blades thier unique qualities . I have made swords from limonite , Hematite and magnatite. All make thier unique steel what it is today. Thanks for posting info about forging . Its nice to know the history but, equally nice to see and forge them yourself ...... and have data about selected areas that were mined..... JAMES

Interesting , and very beautiful . James

Sorry, I only see out of one eye the other is just a blur , I wear a patch . the spotted one looks like leapard maybe the Japanese call all big felines Tigers ?,never seen a spotted Tiger ?..... an old one eyed swordsmith James

Great photography and the shi shi dog menuki ...... wow . james

Very nice Sir, what a find . It looks authentic to me . But signatures can be missleading . I personally wish you luck that it is authentic . If I could be so lucky ........ Regards James