ashibagou

Higo or Nanban? Pretty thick. 75 X 68 X 7.

Mine was originally from Mercari. https://jp.mercari.com/item/m87850016058

Need some opinions to identify this small tsuba. This zugara (design motif) is strange to me. 6.2 X 6.0 X 0.5 size. Jinsoo

I am looking for Satsuma tsuba. If anyone is open to sell, please let me know. Thank you. Jinsoo

Can anyone read this mei? Yakite shitate of this tsuba is great.

Hi Ben Do you still have this Kiyotaka tsuba?

It is Sakura (桜).

Does he stamp the kokuin of three crowns on his nakago?! =)

Hi Dan No. I don't think your blade is Mukansa Ogawa Kunihiko. I guess he is Ogawa Ichiro. See below. https://books.google.com/books?id=46IYtI0nkiEC&pg=PA134&lpg=PA134&dq=ogawa+kanekuni+sesko&source=bl&ots=BRGa17XWSx&sig=ACfU3U2eb_ia7yoIvPcW4YB1W4Zi5Gipeg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjh-qrv3-ngAhUDNn0KHa0VDZEQ6AEwA3oECAgQAQe

This Ogawa Kanekuni (小川兼國) is different from Mukanasa Ogawa Kanekuni (尾川兼圀) even though they are related. https://markussesko.com/2018/08/11/mukansa-ningen-kokuho-list/ Ogawa KANEKUNI 尾川兼圀, real name is Ogawa Kunihiko 尾川邦彦, was born in January 25, Taisho 14 (1925). He joined to Ogawa Kanekuni Sword Forging Studio 小川兼國刀剣鍛錬所 in Showa 14 (1939) to learn sword making technique and worked in Chiba Sword manufacturing factory 千葉刀剣製作所 during Showa 17- 19 (1932-34) as an official army sword maker with the initial sword smith name KUNITADA 圀忠. He himself joined to the battle line in China. After the war, he again started making sword for Iaido practice for some time. In Showa 47 (1972), he changed his mind to study traditional Japanese sword forging then again became a pupil under Kanako Magoroku KANEMOTO 金子孫六（兼元）. He officially licensed from the Agency of Cultural Affairs as a traditional Japanese sword artist in Showa 52 (1977) and established his studio in Hachiman, Muge-town, Seki ciry, Gifu prefecture. He won a prize of KUNZAN-SHO in Heisei 10 (1998) and 13-16 (2001-2004) awarded with the same prizes continuously. Japanese Sword Preservation Society (NBTHK) nominated him as the top skill prize MUKANSA award in Heisei 18 (2006) and finally he won the honor prize of Gigu Important Intangible Cultural Property in Heisei 20 (2008). Died in November 26, Heisei 24 (2012) at 87 years old.

IMHO... (?)国住幸光謹作 行幸記念 (Emperor's Visit Celebration) 昭和十一年九月日

Still the mei looks like Yasutsuna to me.

I think Stephen will be interested in. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-WW2-Shin-Gunto-Katana-Sword-very-good-condition-with-broken-tip/173813315070

Long time no see guys. Sad to see this kind of gimei... The clear contrast of rust area at Nakago is pretty intentional. For your own comparison. https://www.e-nihontou.com/products/detail/506

Hi. Brian I was in McGill, Montreal for 8 years followed by 5 years at Samsung, Korea. During my stay at Asia, I've visited Japan more than 10 times. Lovely enjoyed watching many swords and quenching my body to Onsen (hotspring)!