bubba-san

Thanks for the link Mumei, apparently insects were a Goto school feature ? Not sure if its a plant or another insect? They also seems they are quite collectable . My eyesight is poor so I try to carry a magnifying glass. Regards...... James

You are right it looks very similar. Although the Kashira has no ana for Ito. What do you think of the menuki ? spyder has face (very small) Had to use loop to see face. Its smiling. I may forge a tanto to fit Tsuka ? Just made a nice billet of my (own) Tamahagane using Japanese black sand ore . I purchased the Ore from a company in Germany , They are somehow able to import it from Japan. thank you for Info. regards .........James

I purchased this several years ago off of ebay. I have never seen a menuki like this . Its flower blossom of some kind with a spider on flower with a face and eyes/ mouth. I call the pattern on fuchi/ kashira a snake pattern? not sure what is actually . The Japanese seller said it was snake pattern . I wonder If anyone can tell me something about it? school affiliation ? age? Thank You ....... James

I certainly appreciate the advice , at 66 years I always can learn something . I believe , since I wont be using the sword , gluing it is the best option as the kurikata is heavily laquered . It may crack the finish and would be hard to match color. So I will attempt to glue it based on the advice I have been given . Domo Arigato ........ James

Thanks for the advice very much. I cleaned all surfaces with a strong solvent after each attempt. I hate to do it but, I think I will replace it . Fred lohman has some nice horn pieces , I may also replace the Kozuka Hitsu as it has a crack...... Thanks James

I realised that after I posted it . Sorry for missnaming the piece I was in a hurry , had to Meet UPS driver I tried super glue no dice ????

Hello how are you . I have been trying to repair broken Kurikata . I have tried several types of glue , super glue, epoxy, polyurethane, wood glue ?? nothing seems to bond to it ? I also tried cleaning it . still no luck Any ideas what might bond to buffalo horn Kurikata. I normally replace them but, I want sword to remain original . Thank you........... James

Thank you so much ........ James

Thanks anyway , I am so bad with vision I might say " what Kanji" Just joking . If any one can read it I would be most grateful .... James

Can anyone tell me anything about this piece , It came with a recently acquirred sword By Noakatsu. ? Thank you ..... James

I have known Ben for some years before his passing . He seemed an honorable man . I don't know his son very well. I also had problems with emails and phone calls recently . The previous poster is correct , Get in touch with the probate court clerk and see if there is a hearing set . They are in universal , City Texas. I wish you luck in getting your sword back . Sincerely ....... James

The Hitatsura Hamon means basically " little temper all over " . Or something like that . As a swordsmith I have achieved it on several occasions . Its very tricky as the clay is applied kind of a little bit all over .. It can be very beautiful ...... James

Hello Mr Morita, Thank you for the kanji lesson and translation , it was very kind of you . Regards ..... James Bieler

Interesting , I was just joking about "Ed" I t does look like Ed though..... Should be able to read kanji better than I do .... Can't see too well anymore . Getting time for some cataract surgery eventually . I wonder what the kanji translates to ? thanks James

Hello folks , I picked this up at a knife show in Chicago . It appears to have some stylized kanji and what appears to be some english ( ED) ???? can someone tell what they say ? I guess its some sort of family inscription ?? Material is shakudo with some gold kinroe? I havent seen fuchi in this style . Thanks . James

As a swordsmith , I have seen hardening of Mune on many occassions . This type of hardening of spine is done to counteract the upward bend of blade during quench .It is sometimes found on swords that have been re- hardened. It is one way to control the sori . ...... James

Thank you folks for helping with the Tanto . I feel fortunate to have wandered by the sale .When I saw it I thought it said 1500$ ? Not sure what the menuki are ? Looks like some kind of bird or snake ?? The Ito cord is very tight but, think it may have some old laquer on it ! might be a pheasant ?? Any Idea on how I should proceed with restoration? The ito is bad shape . Tsuka has shrunk some . Nakago does not go all the way to bottom of tsuka. maybe new tsuka or use knife file to clean out a little . I kind of did some measurements and if I clean out, mekugi pin will fit into original ana on the nakago. Some restorations are difficult and It's best to ask opinions before proceeding . Any advice would be helpful. Not sure if I posted picture of Tsuba or not ? There are some small chips on saya where someone stood the Saya on kissaki end. Other than that its in very good condition. Thank all of you for remarks and advice Sincerely . James ...

You are correct Mdiddy, It is shibuichi , It appears to be black shibu . Here are a couple pics . No signature Blade does have a hamon and other side of Kozuka is mokume. The tsuba unfortunately was hammered to fit blade and is in bad shape , I will be looking to replace it or just forge another one . The tsuba is also shibu lucky I have some plate I made for some other fittings . Thanks James

Thank you gentleman, I appreciate the information . I will take it apart in the morning and post some pictures of blade and tang .Again thank you ... James B.

Hello Sir , I don't know if those type of fittings are rare or not , I was quoting from the small piece of paper that came with Tanto .Paper seems to be old faded yellow .I am not used to seeing tin fittings on Nihonto ? James B.

Hello folks , I just purchased this small tanto 8.5 " cutting edge over the weekend . The blade is mumei and seems to be in fine polish no chips or or delamination . The blade has been refitted as there are several (2) mekugi ana . The fittings (tsuba) is shakudo , the fuchi, kashira seems to be Tin but, have same motif as tsuba . the kozuka /gokatana appear to be shakudo on one side with tiger , on other side it looks to be Mokume The only papers that came with it are faded yellow paper .What do you think of the tin fittings ?? Not used to seeing them on nihonto ? Can anyone express thier opinion about this blade . I paid 150$ for it . The blade is very thick for tanto approx 5/16" . I can add more pictures later upon request. I also purchased wakizashi earlier from same person . Says her father brought back from Japan in 1960. the Saya looks like wedding piece (Goshugi) Money.?? Thank you very much James

Sorry Jacques, But everytime I click that link I get a Virus message warning. My software stopped it both times . It is a trojan Horse and may not be picked up by standard virus software . I use a program originally designed by military systems analyst. Would be wise to use some caution . Hope I didnt cause you any problems ........Respectfully James

I agree The star stamp indicates traditional materials and construction . On the Last post Jacques D. posted Has a big Virus in it !!!!!!! dont clik on link............ James

Sorry , got carried away .Here are books I was refering to . on bottom right of right page is the word engraved , I believe that is english http://www.nihonto.com/8.4.10.html I could only see it with magnifying glass . james

Forging and polishing is easy ... Havent you heard of the blind swordsmith . I just saw an article when looking for a copy and they claimed it had been translated ,they were asking 350$ . You will have to look it up yourself , cant remember where I saw it . I am more color blind than having poor eyesight although I wear 300 x glasses to see. Has anyone ever claimed you may be quite contrary :D .See work in progress. the steel is made from Japanese black sand ore. James