AikiScott1

Umm...i saw this sword for sale and the seller told me there was hagiri. I think i saw it in the tip. Sorry, just so you know. ---Scott M.

Books, research, more books, more research. ---Scott M.

Thank you so much for the assistance! Awesome.---Scott M.

Yoshi Kiyo? Sorry I forgot to sign the last post.---Scott M.

I was hoping I could get help with this Gendaito mei. I think the smith is Yoshi??? Thank you so much. ----Scott M.

Wow thank you so much for all of the help! You guys are great. Why would this be inside of a scabbard? Thanks. ---Scott M.

Hi, I am trying to find some help with the translation for the inside of this saya. I received the sword and saya in rather rough shape, and when I opened up the saya halves, I found this. The bottom symbol looks like a kao of some kind? Thank you so much for any help. --Scott M.

I have had several Murata-to, or at least what I am pretty sure we're Murata-to (Modern Japanese Swords and Swordsmiths gives a pretty good explanation.) From what I have found, Murata-to are rather light in hand, thinner than showato, oil tempered, and the nakago has a particular look and weight, almost like it's aluminum. I hope this makes sense, it's just what I have noticed. -----Scott M.

I find Hofhine's work to be excellent. Just because a Japanese sword polisher is Japanese doesn't by that simple virtue make him a better sword polisher. Also what kind of commission does one make in arranging sword polishing services in Japan?

I was wondering does anyone know of a person or business that can appraise swords in the New York suburbs area? I live in Orange County and would prefer not to travel much further than that. Even better would be if I could just send a whole bunch of pictures, but I don't know if that would work. Thanks so much. ---Scott M.

Just wanted to say I had a great time attending the Philadelphia show this weekend. It was great to meet so many knowledgeable people and to see so many wonderful swords and other items. Many thanks to Bill and others who made all this possible! ---Scott M.

Is it me just seeing things or has something weird happened to the kissaki? It looks kind of blunted like it was chipped then re-shaped. ---Scott M.

Genuine.---Scott M.

I have a similar sword, kai gunto also marked Inaba. I know there have been previous threads here detailing more what all this means but if I remember correctly Inaba was an imperial navy contractor and if you look closer you might see another stamp on the tang besides the anchor stamp and from my understanding this means genuine, as in this sword is a genuine item made by Inaba, implied being of rust resistant steel, for the Japanese navy. I hope this helps and please let me know if I have gone wrong anywhere.---Scott M.

I may not have as much experience as others, but I would bet good money that this blade is just a slightly better fake. The habaki is all wrong, as is the mei and nakago. Even the seki stamp looks crudely done. If someone can prove otherwise, I would like the chance to learn.---Scott M.