East London 1+

Thank you gentlemen for your replies , i have done some research on the swords i am interested in and the dealers that are selling them. my assumption was that if the dealer was in the commercial section ,various members had dealt with them over the years and had recommended them to the forum. Thanks John C

Hi Members Would it be safe to assume, that if a dealer is noted in the commercial drop downs at the opening of the forum page, that they are recognized by fellow members to be reliable trusted dealers in Nihonto. Regards John C

Thanks to you all for your informative and interesting answers. John C

Hi All if a swordsmith is a retainer of a province (South Tosa) does that mean he is regarded as a decent swordsmith or does it not mean to much. John C.

you are correct Geraint John C

Thanks for the reply K Morita any information is greatly appreciated. Although you are showing Oshigata of Yoshimasa signing on the shinogi ji side , i have seen pictures of papered swords of Yoshimasa smiths that sign over the shinogi line,just like the sword i purchased. Can any of the members recommend any books or point me to a website that may contain Oshigata of the Shin Shinto smith that i am looking for. i would be grateful for any help. John C

Hello fellow members I wonder if any one of you knowledgeable members, can assist me in confirming a mei. I purchased a Shin Shinto sword last year from a reputable collector, with a swordsmith signature: Nando No Shi Furuzawa Hachizeamon Yoshimasa. The smith is listed in Makus Sesskos index of Japanese swordsmiths N-Z page 378, i have compared the Kanji and the signature looks right, but i'm no expert. I purchased the sword because i liked it, not for the signature ,however i would still like to hopefully authenticate the signature as i would like to submit the sword to Shinsa one day. Any help would be greatly appreciated as i know everyone helps in their own time. the pics i have attached are not the best but i hope they are readable. Thanks John C

Thanks Denis

HI All Just a quick question, is it regarded as a usual practice for the Togishi to sign the blade underneath the Habiki. I apologize if this subject has been covered before ,but i could not find any reference to the subject. John C.

Brian i have just ordered Markus Sesko's book thanks for the re feral. John C

Thank you for your help Brian and Jean, it is much appreciated. John C

Yes it is Brian. John C.

Hi All Can anyone give me any information on a Shin Shinto smith who signs Nontonoshi Furuzaw Hachisaemon Yoshimasa. I am doing some research and can't seem to find out much about him. any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks John C.

Thanks Chris John C

Hi all If a blade has the presence of some small visible " bubbles " showing, does this indicate that the blade is possibly of folded construction Any thoughts Thanks in advance John C

Thank you all for your comments and feedback, it is much appreciated. What through me was that the blade looked different from the numbered mass produced blades I had seen in the past, the blade certainly glitters when looked at with a magnifying glass. I originally purchased the blade for Iaido, so that is what I will use it for, thanks again for taking the time to look at this post and your comments and experience are valued. John C

Thanks for the feed back Paul maybe i will use it for Iaido after all. John C

Thanks Jamie That is what i thought, but i wanted a second opinion, it is a perfect blade for Iaido nicely balanced but i will not use it if it is an old blade. i will post some more pics, i also posted this on the wrong subject page, like an idiot. I have added some more pics John C

Hi all I recently purchased a Japanese officers sword type 98 from my local antique auction for $250. I originally wanted the blade for Iaido , but after disassembling the the sword at home i changed my opinion of the sword. I believe the blade to be a traditionally made blade, i could be wrong that is why i would like your valued opions. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, although i have been around Japanese swords for many years through Iaido i am no expert, but i am working on that The sword is in good quality Army mounts, colour black. The Saya is wooden, Brown laquered which looks to have been touched up in the past. The Tsuba was black but the coating has worn off exposing most of the Brass Tsuba. The only marks i can find on the sword furniture or Nakago are the Japanese number 3 on the collar of the Tsuka and 3 notches cut in the rest of the fittings, there are no numbers or stamps on the Nakago. The Tsuka has Same under the Ito and the menuki are traditinal army issue. I will now identify the blade as i see it, don't be to harsh on me if you see something i have wrongly identified. Katana mumie blade. Nagasa 645mm Sugata Shinogi Zukuri. Sori Torii Sori smeasurements 23mm Chu kissaki Kissaki length 35mm Mune Iori Motohaba 32mm Sakihaba 26mm Nakago length 181mm Nakago type Standard Haagari jiri Yasurime Sujikai Hamon very bright Suguha as far as i can tell due to the polish, Noio deki, Sunagashi,Tobiyaki Hada tight Masame need to use magnifying glass to see due to polish Boshi Suguha turning into Omaru Mekugi ana 1 punched not drilled It looks like someone in the past had tried to clean the Nakago patches of Black rust are still present See what you think i have attached some pics and have more if needed John C [at

Hi Everyone I am very happy to be a new member of your excellent Nihonto sword forum. This is what the Internet is all about bringing together so many knowledgable people from all over the world to share their experience and advice with novices like me. A brief background of myself i am 58years old originally from London England who now lives in British Columbia Canada with my wife and family. I studied Japanese martial arts for many years, Karate and Iaido which I still practice. I have always had a keen interest in the Japanese sword owning a few nice old blades in the past, without really knowing much about them as there were no forums in the old days. Now I am now getting older I wish to start a collection and getting more involved in Kantei and the appreciation of the Japanese sword. So thanks for having me and I look forward to being a part of your great forum. John C.