kunitaro

Dear Hoanh san, If you could give us some more (a lot of ) hints ? as we can not see the features of this blade by only photos. Motohaba, Sakihaba,Kasane. Tsukurikomi (Mitsumune or iori mune, hight of mune, High shinogi or low shindig etc.,) Jitetsu (i can see Itame nada with with mokume and almost Msame near Ha.) How is Shinogi-ji ? (Masame or mixed with Mokume) Is there Utsuri ? if so, what kind of Utsuri ? Ji-nie ? or other activities ? Hamon : Shape of Hamon, Nie-deki or Nioi-deki ? What kind of Nie ? How is Nioi-kuchi ? and other activities ? Boshi : Shape of Boshi, Ko-maru? o-maru ? with Hakikane ? the shape of Kaeri and how long is the kaeri goes ? Is there any Mune-yaki ? we can not really see those activities by only photos. When we have those hint, Kantei game become interesting. Also, person who answer should say the reason why they think this answer. (Smith, school, province or period ) Some person can try to guess the smith, someone who try to guess "Shinto or Koto" depend on their own level. When people answer with the reason, It will be educational for everybody. and It is good study to understand NBTHK attribution.

The sword looks good ! However, You need to register the sword in Japan. to register sword, you must call local police to tell them that you found a sword in your house. They will come to your house, and report it, then they will issue "発見届け (Hakken-todoke/ Found report)". Then you must go to register, you can ask local "教育委員会 (Kyoiku-iinkai/Education department) about the date and address. You need "Hakkentodoke/Found report" from police to register the sword. Without Torokusho/register card, it is illegal to own the sword, no polisher or dealer handle them, also Police can confiscate the sword. Where is the house ? I will be able to find local office for you.

築州住信国源正恒 Chiku-shu (no) ju Nobukuni Minamoto Masatsune 應 久米近禮 需造之 Kume Chikanori (no) motome (ni) ou (ji) kore (wo) tsukuru ( This is made by order of Kume Chikanori )

Have somebody been 44th NBTHK Zenkoku-takai at Keo plaza hotel ?

Furthermore, Morita san guess the owner of the sword could be 山田復之助 (Yamada Fukunosuke) who was a scholar of mineralogy worked for 古河鉱業 (Furukawa-kogyo). Story of "He was loved by all miners(workers) and the owner (of coal mine) Fukurukawa kogyo was one of the biggest corporation of mine industry in Japan. Yamada Fukunosuke was an elite scholar graduated Tokyo Imperial University. Later he was teaching at the university and keio-gijuku university. published many books about coal mine and its business. His house was Kanagawa. and he retired/left his job in Showa 6 (1931) is fit with story. Also his sister was married with 小倉惣右衛門 (Ogura Souemon) who are the owner of famous sword shop "Amiya" published many books. Also, Tsujimoto tadao wrote an article about Yamada Fukuosuke in "Token Jinbutsu-shi" Token-sunju-sha 2012. This Sayagaki is telling one episode/story of a sword collector before ww2.

They looks really nice in frame ! Thank you for sharing. No, You should try to make it by yourself ! Also, it is one of the best way to train your eyes and studying a sword, because, you will have to draw all shapes and activities of Hamon. Please try once ! No need to be proper way, just draw on normal paper. your perspective (of looking at sword) will change immediately

Thank you very much Morita sensei Quick translation ***＜鞘書き現代文＞*** 鉱夫達から父親のように慕われ、経営者(鉱主)からは師のように貴方は尊敬されました。 貴方の功績はとても大きく、また、名声は各方面に知られております。 しかし、あなたは病を得て後進のため職を辞し、湘南(神奈川県の湘南)にて療養しながらも、日夜、刀剣を鑑賞し研究しておりました。 家に伝わる刀剣は素晴らしい光を放ち、一日中刀剣を鑑賞していると、気分が爽快になり、病気を忘れる程でした。 病気が回復した後、貴方は、長く刀剣界にいる人たちと同ぐらいまで鑑定能力が大いに向上しました。 貴方が所蔵している数百振りの名刀の中の、水心子正秀が鍛えた刃長ニ尺三寸二分、互の目乱、荒沸小沸の刃文の刀で 試切りしたところ、巻藁が夢のように切れ、刀は土壇に達した。刃は刃毀れなど何も損傷が無かった。 この試し切の結果を聞き、貴方はニッコリして満足そうでした。そして家に伝わる刀を愛玩しておりました。 先祖から立派な行いをしてきた家系は後々良いことが起こるものであり、貴方は資質が聡明で学識もあり、また賢い夫人が おります。今、貴方は刀剣界の人達の期待を一身に集め、光り輝いております。 過日、貴方から試切と鞘書を依頼されたので、私の思う所を記しました。 昭和甲戌早春(昭和九年、1934年)　　剣XXX(雅号か良く見えず)　磯部三男吉　 **************************** ****** You were loved like a father by all miners and highly respected like a master from the owner (of coal mine). Your achievement, your fame were all over. Unfortunately, you lost your health, you left your job for recuperation. The time at Shonam (the cost of Kawanaga), you kept studying sword day and night. The swords of your collection were giving out great brightness, when you were looking at sword, you felt better, almost forgetting illness. After recovering from illness, your "eye" for Kantei was greatly increased to same level as old masters of the sword society. It was honor to receive your order for Tammeshigiri by one of your a few hundreds of sword collection, The katana 2 sahku 3 sun 2bu, Gunome-midare with Ara-nie, ko-nie, made by Suishinshi Masahide was cut through Makiwara like dream and sticked into Dotan. The blade had no hakobore, no damage at all. When I reported you a result of tamshigiri, you gave a big smile, seemed you are satisfied. You were loving and fond of your sword collection. Your noble ancestor's good karma brought you good luck, very bright and highly educated personality with excellent wise wife. Now, you are the shining star of the hope for all of sword world. This description by your order of Tamashigiri and Sayagaki. Showa 9 (1934) Ken(XXX) Isobe Miokichi. *****************************

Mick san, Thank you for showing us "mimi". It is "Kaku-mimi ko-niku". So, I think it is Kyo-sukashi (Mid Edo), however, I think, this tsuba has been in the fire before, Kind of burnt... as you see the back stuff inside of sukashi, That is burnt rust, you can see very little (black stuff) left on the surface of mimi as well. the tsuba was burnt, and cleaned surface then re-patina-ed. This is one of reasons why surface of this tsuba is (or looks like) a bit rougher than tsuba from Sasano book, also the edge of sukashi is less sharp. ....In my opinion.... What do you think ?

Trotter san, This special way is only 24th Kanefusa did.

The tanto was made 11 years after 23rd Kanefusa died. The signature of this tanto is from 24th Kanefusa, not 23rd Kanefusa. as we know some smith signed 2+2 as 4, because 4 (shi/death) is un-lucky number in Japan. 24th Kanefusa didn't like to cut 4, so, he cut 三+ ' as 4. 23+1 = 24th Kanefusa

What I have here is "Nihonjin-mei Daijiten +Plus Digital version" It says Fujiwara Kanefusa (Kato Koichi) 1899 - 1977 －昭和52年7月1日死去。78歳。－ --1977 July 1st died Age of 78 --

I would like to see "mimi" Kyo-sukashi from the book looks like Kaku-mimi-koniku, and how is Mick's tsuba ?

It WAS Nihonto. if the blade is burnt, the cutting edge is not hard. no Hamon. Not a weapon anymore. no value. * you can use it as material to make new sword, or to use a piece for "Umegane". Also, good for practice yakiire and polishing. Those are added later by non Japanese person. Maybe Tsuba is good...

This is burned blade. The black part on Nakago is the burned rust. probably it has no hamon, or if shadow of hamon left, there is no nioi-kuchi. Normally they are filed off when restore or re-Yakiire for Saiba. When you see any 1 mm of this black stuff on Nakago, they are burned blade.

We should be really appreciate Morita san. It will be a great study for all of us. We will be able to catch a glimpse of old sword lover's life. We will learn how to be a good student of Japanese sword. Yoroshiku onegai itashimasu. Morita sensei.

When did 23rd Kanefusa die ?

御籠鎗 O Kago Yari 文殊包重作 Monju Kaneshige saku 四拾参番 43 ban (nr.43)

Sorry, "Sabei" is not familier as person's name. however, If the name of person, then "Sabei". and the name of title "Sa-hyoe".

左兵衛 "Sa-hyōe" is a name/title of millitary officer in 兵衛府 "Hyōe-fu (department of imperial guard) 左兵衛 "Sa-hyōe" and 右兵衛 "U-hyōe" 〇〇兵衛 (-- bei) is a name of person. but, there is no "Sabei".

They are Samurais of Satsuma-han, so, I think they don't need to borrow "Okashi-to". They have their own sword, however, they are waring Satsuma-koshirae, as we can see only tsuka that Longish thick straight (no Ryuko, no sori). That is typical Tsuka shape of Satsuma koshirae for Satsuma Jigen-ryu. Satsuma Jigenryu Yakushimaru Jigenryu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cfbjb_2VKs4

神陶造 (Shinto-zo) "Shinto" was a company making porcelain for export in Meiji period around 1900. They were the first oversea's branch at cape town in South Africa. The porcelains were made in "Seto" town and painted in Nagoya. Seto-mono/Seto ware made in Meiji period. and 東京府 (Tokyo-fu) 旧千代田城 (kyu-Chiyoda-jo/former-Chiyoda castle0 * Chiyoda castle is the nick name of Edo-jo, The view of "Kokyo" the Imperial palace.

I think it is about お貸刀 (Okashi-to/Okashi-gatana) = Rent sword お貸道具 (Okashi-dogu) = Rent tool (sword/armour) 城備え (Shiro-zonae) = Castel stock the Castle have number of weapons and armours for rent (for temporally solders, usually farmers) in Sengoku-jidai (16th century). They were 数打物 Kazuuchimono (mass production) sword in most simple koshirae, 束刀 Tabagatana (Bundle swords).

岡田 兼義 作 Okada Kaneyoshi saku

Yes, I think the sure silk fukusa for tea ceremony is the best.

西肥住正明作 Se(sai)hi (no) ju MasaAKI saku 月 of 明 is characteristic, same as 月 of 肥 What do you think ?