Alex A

Hi Denis, dont get too overly concerned about all this, using uchiko once or twice a year obviously will not damage your sword. Dont leave too much oil on your blade, only a thin coating, and it will be fine. In a modern central heated home in the uk you probably dont need to use oil, its dry enough. I oil my blades simply as a precaution because im away from home most of the day. Alex.

Cheers Jean, just had a quick look to see what there is, plenty of reading, thats for sure. Alex.

Thanks Adam and Jean for your assistance, much appreciated. The hamon does clearly run past the hamachi. The yasurime is also kiri on both sides as Jean stated, thanks for helping to sort out this query. Alex.

Cheers for that Adam, the hamon in this Kiyomitsu 1504 blade looks remarkably similar to the hamon in my 1688ish blade which is nice to see. Alex

Hi Adam, what era is this blade? Alex.

Hi, i wouldnt use coloured cloths to wipe the blade, apparently it can stain the blade, its likely with strong colours that this is possible, so better to use white only. Ive never used isopropyl alcohol to clean old oil off, usually powder once a year, i think it sounds a good idea, less abrasive, that must be a good thing. Im sure if the samurai of old had better methods at that time, they would have used them. Alex.

Hi, may i add that i dont actually use choji oil, i read somewhere that gun oil is better, think it was aoi arts care guide. The one i use has a rust inhibitor, never had any problems. I live in the uk, i think its fine to leave your swords without oil as long as the room where you store them stays at a reasonably constant temperature. I work shifts, the house goes from cold to hot and so on, this change in temperature can lead to condensation on the steel so better safe than sorry. Alex.

Hi Klaus, been having a look to see what i can find about kaga kiyomitsu, as your aware your 6th generation tensho kiyomitsu is from a school that dates back to 1444. What i dont know and what im hoping someone will tell me is does this school of kaga kiyomitsu have anything to do with the kiyomitsu school dating from 1673 with 3 generations??. My kiyomitsu katana is dated genroku period, some pics below (excuse the photography). Mike, is it possible to see more pics of your blade, and details of grain and hamon? Alex.

Hi Jean, i know there are some high quality iron fittings, i never said that there wasnt. As you said, you cant look at something without giving it a closer look, fair enough, but i was just looking to find out more about the fuchi in the way of the symbols, and a date etc (if possible). Alex.

Cheers Lance, appreciate the constructive assistance. Alex.

Lance, i think Jeans refering to your spelling mistake, altitude. Alex

Hi Jean, it is old, its made of iron too, iron oxidizes, thats why it looks old, or as you put it "crudely made". Its a lot harder working with iron than copper, bronze, silver, gold etc, thats why most iron fittings are not as intricate. ps, who said it was "special"?, just wanted to find out more about it, that is what this sites for, isnt it? Alex.

Hi Lance, thanks for the quick reply,much appreciated. Yes, i think the gold is intentionally made to look worn, a good way to save on gold too maybe!. Alex A.

Hi, does anyone know anything about this type of fuchi, a rough idea of date, and why old symbols are used? Alex A.

I will post some pictures of my kiyomitsu blade soon, the hamon on mine is choji midare, not as active as yours, but very similar. The grain looks identical. Alex A

Thanks Koichi, much appreciated. Alex A

Whats puzzling me here is that to me the blade doesnt look like its been cut short by too much, im no expert, obviously, but the blade looks to me like its suriage. I thought for a blade to be o suriage the entire original tang would have been removed. Im on a bit of a learning curve here. Would anyone be able to tell from the following pic if its o suriage? Alex A

Thanks Adam, much appreciated! Alex A

Thanks John for that information, and the quick reply!..very much appreciated indeed.. Alex A

Hi, i would appreciate any help with these papers. Basically, i need to find out if it says the katana is o suriage anywhere? and also a date of shinsa. There is also an a4 sized sheet that came with the sword (not sure what this sheet is?). I know it seems a bit silly trying to find out this information long afer the purchase, but it was my first buy which included some naievety..Id be glad of any information. Please excuse the photography. Alex A.

Very nice!, the glittery rack sets them off a treat. Alex

At that time i can find a number of kiyomitsu smiths listed, in kaga there where 2 generations of kaga, 4th and 5th. There where also kiyomitsu smiths in Bizen, Mino, Suwo and satsuma. Obviously there may be more, but these are the the kiyomitsu i can find listed. Below is a picture of the tang on my suriage kiyomitsu. I was under the impression it was o suriage but not so sure now. Alex.

Hi Steve, if you got it for a steel then its worth every penny. My katana is genroku, mumei suriage, the grain is itame with massame. It came with nthk kanteisho papers. Its only lately ive been looking for information on kaga kiyomitsu smiths. Alex.

I have an unsigned katana attributed to kiyomitsu of kaga genroku era. I know there where many smiths known by kiyomitsu. i was wondering, is this kiyomitsu the same kiyomitsu as kiyomitsu 2nd genroku ? Alex

Il keep the intro brief, ive been interested in samurai swords since i was 9, im now 41. My older cousin owned a reproduction which i thought was great so i persuaded my folks to buy me one for xmas. Funnily enough i still own it, sentimental i suppose.Im glad to say ive owned a few authentic swords since then. Im always on the lookout to learn something new. Regards, Alex