Lee J

Thank you, Ray, for your prompt assistance. So, not at all unlike those first somewhat tired but still paperable tantos I acquired in the late 1970s . It is always nice seeing the next generation take up the interest!

A friend recently sent me these images of a tanto his son recently purchased at auction and asked if I could "find out" about it for him. It reminds me of some of my first nihonto, though maybe better than those tired relics. Any help will be appreciated.

There is a brief discussion about this in Nagayama on page 71. Tachimei through early Muromachi and then katanamei post Muromachi - so a fairly large transition timeframe. Several exceptions both ways are listed - no mention of the smith in question - but the examples given will hardly be all inclusive.

Missed the poll; I would like one copy.

I value the expertise and opinion of the NBTHK highly; however, I also greatly appreciate that the NTHK-NPO holds shinsas in the USA to which I can drive with my swords (and avoid the horrors of shipping) and that they provide a little more detail to leave me guessing less. I do not collect for investment, but for historical and artistic value; the ultimate disposal of my collection is an issue for my executor to deal with, not me.

Here is a somewhat blasphemous, but very interesting, website that covers military variations in great detail: http://ohmura-study.net/900.html