jensen6865

Hi all, I am loving this site and the information and exchange. This blade I began post originally in "Dad's Japanese...". Hopefully I have a little more understanding and vocabulary now to intelligently express thoughts and questions. Hopefully I have attached a set of photos showing enough to began to understand this blade. Its nagasa is 26 5/8". Nagato is 8". Motohaba is full 1 1/4", sakihaba is full 1". Sori is strong 5/8'. At first I couldn't see how some instantly could tell by sugata an idea of age/period. I ran a 12" ruler along the mune and it is much more curved toward munimachi. Definitely koshi-sori. Question- I am correct that this is an o-suriage blade, perhaps cut down from a Tachi. Does the distance between the mekugi ana give a reliable indication of the original length? Question- Some of the pictures show a little of the hada of the blade. One member mentioned a lot of polishes over the years perhaps. because of how small the ha mamachi is,would the motohaba have been considerably wider originally? Question- Is there a relatively easy and safe method to bring out the boshi, to see it? Please feel free to correct and enlighten me as I learn. Oh, the blade weighs 1 lb, 15 oz or .90kg. Sure feel substantial! Thank you , Dan

Maybe, Dan

Thank you. I hated history and the like in school, now I'm loving it. The techniques and methods of making these is truly an art form. I am working on a vocabulary so I can express myself about them. Thanks, Dan

Hi, Sorry! Didn't attach the rest correctly. Please forgive my stumbling! Dan Try again here.

Hi, Finally had a minute to try and get more information up for you all to see. I am finding out more all of the time. Here are some more pictures of the one sword and some other items I'll try to get up as I have time. Is it really supposed to be this exciting to learn about these swords and fittings? Or am I just weird? I think I am to the point I don't care if I am weird about it! Thanks, Dan

Hi, Thanks, I will get one up as soon as I can. Thanks, Dan

Hi, I am learning more all the time about how quickly you guys get an idea of age/era. At first I couldn't tell any apart I am really starting to see the importance of the overall shape and feel. From what you all see, do you think I should take it to the August show and then decide whether to have it polished/papered etc? Would really appreciate your thoughts. Will try and get some better pictures up and take some of the Wakizashi as well. Starting to realize my Dad, as always, picked carefully what he sent home. Will work on fittings as well. Thank all of you for your continuing support of knowledge. I am flattered by all the offers, but I'm going to go slow. Thanks,Dan

Thank you very much. I will keep working on learning how to take pictures and all the rest. I will try to get there in August. It is just that it is exciting to be learning about these amazing swords! I will keep trying. Dan

The overall look/shape/ color of hamon look alot like this one i found a picture of- http://world.choshuya.co.jp/sale/gj/1009/11_senjuin.htm The Sori is about .625" or about 16mm. I am trying to get view of the hamon out at the end. Any advice or information would be really appreciated. Thanks, Dan

Hi, The hamon, after looking at lots of sample pictures, looks like Chu-Suguha or Hoso-Suguha. The waves are very small, yet not real consistant. Picture 0413 shows some of it. The Hamon line is whiter and brighter than toward the edge, but that whole part is snowy white. Can you all tell me more of how to look for clues about it and what pictures I can add. Thanks, Dan

I have some more pictures. I still am no good at getting the blade at right angle to see things in picture. Hope these help some. You can see the Hada (grain right?) in some, Hamon (tempering line right?) is so hard to get but a few you can see it a little. It is fairly straight, but has small "ripples" along it. The hada is really visible. You can see the temper color way down into the handle by hole. Sorry for the bad editing, I'm learning how to do this thing. Dan

I have some more pictures ready. Hopefully... Is there any particular area that would help to have picture of? Thanks, Dan

Thank you! I am starting to get the hang of some of this. Luckily my daughter knows about computers. Will try to have the rest of pictures better set-up. Dan

Another picture attempt! Blade is 34 5/8" long, 26 5/8" edge, 8' tang?, 1 1/4" at base of edge, 1" at to of edge, 8mm thick at base of edge. Heavy and thick compared to the ones my sibling have. You can see some "grain" in the edge and fairly straight temper line? Will try and add more as well. Dan

It says my file size is to big, I have to find out how to get them posted, sorry. Dan

Alright here goes a picture try! Thanks, Dan

Hi, I'm sorry about that! I'll get some pictures up as soon as I can. Thanks, Dan

Hi, I am new here and have been reading this site for some time. My father was in first occupation group assigned to demilitarize Japanese. They went all over and collected. Some things had to be "logged" in, but most small arms and swords were put in amphibious trucks and such and dumped in Tokyo Bay. He was a sergeant and got to "keep" all kinds of things: Cavalry clothing/saddle/tack/boots etc and a number of swords and fittings were shipped back here. We found another trunk with some in and there are mine, my siblings have the earlier ones we found. Both swords appear to be early types, the big one is o-suraige? long and heavy with bo-hi? How would I go about getting some of your expertise about them? I don't know how all of this site works, I'm new to any discussion group. Thank you.