Splidge

Many thanks to you as always you are, both gentlemen and scholars. Regards Frank.

Hello all, I have just received a Katana not in very good condition, with the following mei, any help would be appreciated, with regards to the stamps, is it usual to have one on either side? The one by the Mekuki Ana is to small to photgraph. Many thanks in advance. Regards Frank.

Whilst I see what you say, I would not take the colour you see as actual, in hand it is darker and does not show any discolouration, I did compare my dragons head to your link, not much difference , I had a quick butchers on ebay, sounds daft I know but I found this book up for auction, and going by the photos listed, there is not much difference at all, between the ones shown and mine imho, but then I am not an expert. See pictures : 1, 2, 6, and 10. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :middle:uk I think as has been suggested it would be better to get it looked at in hand. Frank

Thanks Darcy I suppose really I should take it to some where like the V & A museum? And let them have a look, Could always let the armourer where I work have a look, but I’m not sure if this is one of his fields of expertise, unless you can suggest some where over here that I could take it to that could verify its authenticity. The scan I did does not do it justice, it is far better in hand. Brian, not sure about being gold, perhaps plated? Not sure, there are no marks to say it is or is not. There is just the one menuki unfortunately not the matching pair it was found in amongst a job lot of military buttons, I only paid a few pounds for it, as for being desirable as there is only one, well I bought it because I liked it, like I mentioned earlier it looks far better in the flesh so to speak. Frank.

Koichi san, I like my findings better :lol: but none the less if this piece is genuine and there is realy nothing to suggest that it is not, and it is from this family then it is from what seems to be a very good house indeed, are menuki normaly signed with the mei only this is the first one I have seen not mounted and have been able to hold and have a realy good look at I know. regards Frank

Roninjje many thanks for your input I figured as much about the “crud†, as for the solder marks I have to say under a very strong watch makers eye piece it does not look like solder at all but it is very much like where a small punch was used to push the edge over to hold it in place, if you look at the edge of the claw on the left and right hand side of the picture you will notice a small amount of “wear†which is the same colour as those marks, so perhaps because of its age the gold plate has worn away a bit Koichi san many thanks for your translation so as I under stand it Ichi means “one†and the Goto is the place “Mizu-No-Ura†but the translation is “Ichijo of Goto†from looking for some meaning to this, I found “Ichijo†possibly to mean one of the following, Emperor Ichijō (一条天皇 - tennō), emperor of Japan (980-1011) Or The Ichijō family (一条家 - ke), one of the five regent houses (go-sekke) of the Fujiwara clan in Japan. I suppose there are more interpritations but I like these two Regards Frank

Just an update about the menuki? it arrived today and I've posted some pictures, I know nothing about these items so any help would be appreciated. I think it is made of brass? does the reverse normaly have a mei on it? Is it an original or reproduction? I think possibly the previous owner cleaned the reverse, he has told me he bought a job lot of military buttons and in amongst them was this piece, I like it, its almost smiling, I think Thanks in advance Frank

Hello all, I would appreciate your help with a translation, I have just bought a Menuki with the following mei on a small plate on the reverse of it. Not sure which way around the picture should be so apologies if its the wrong way around. regards frank.

Hello all. Would value your opinion as to wheather this wakizashi is worth going after. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... &rd=1&rd=1 many thanks in advance. Frank.

Hi docliss Dont know if this has any relevance but found this link which has info about Tomotsugu same one you are looking for ??? http://www.nihonto.ca/tomotsugu/index.html regards Frank

Ichi. Many thanks for the reply much appreciated. Frank.

Hi all. I know this question has been asked before, and I under stand what information is given on the document, but as my Japanese is non-existent could you please tell me what this document actually says about this Wakizashi. Many thanks Frank.

Hi Scott Dont know if this is a regular sort of thing, but occasionally you find this sort of item on e-bay. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Imperial-Japanese ... dZViewItem

Oh Jon, you mean they are not even pre 1800 fakes I’m gutted I was going to get a loan from the Mrs for two, then I thought about that slap I got from her and that put me off asking :lol: In answer to your question no I did not notice the other 200 I stopped when I found the twin brother. BTW the first slap was for the suggestion I made when I found the "make an offer button" I did but said it out loud :lol:

I know I can hear you all groan “not e-bay again†but just to clarify you can always find a bargain, cant you? Take a look at this piece http://cgi.ebay.com/Clay-Temper-Razor-S ... dZViewItem pre 1800 and reserve not met, I’m not sure about this, some thing is niggling me at the back of my mind “pre 1800� Then I found this, if the first piece is not what it seems then this one has to be genuine, it is his Twin Brother isn’t it for $24,500. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... mot_widget At least this has a link to make an offer, at this point I got a slap from the wife. Am I just being cynical? Come on you experts! Put me out of my misery, who is going to snap either of these bargains up?

I wondered about the polish myself, so if it gets the remaining 30% polish what will that do for the blade

Darcy Congratulations to you and Bob on you endeavour, I hope it sells really well. Is there any chance of a signed copy , I haven’t got a signed first issue that could be worth loadsa money some time in the future. You never know I could make enough money to buy a really good sword.

No problem gp only I have to tell you I am only just starting this very complicated journey myself. At the time you asked the question I happened to have some quite time at work and was reading my lastest book, The Connoisseurs Book Of Japanese Swords. If like me you read alot of the posts you gain invaluable information from those that have just started ( well some times ) all the way up to the experts that can answer all the questions that are posted on this forum. I was most fortunate to stumble across this forum, and having watched from the side lines for some time before jumping in, I am realy glad I took the plunge, because not only will every one try to help, but it seems most have a real sense of humor. :D :D regards splidge

Hi gp found this link might help http://www.c.farrar.btinternet.co.uk/kinmichi/

Sorry Brian I thought it meant "rolling about on the floor laughing" so it seemed right at the time.

Bungo My boss just reminded me that that was wiches that happened to, not sure how she knows though :lol: :lol:

Nooooooooo!! Val are you sure its a joke, you have burst my bubble look at the quality suka, and the habaki gold? (well gold coloured) note the blade, the saki zori and the saka (to the left) Never mind the questions put to him, look at his payment instructions Very easy to follow if you are in a :? state of mind As a newbie this is most disconcirting how will I ever tell a diamond in the ROUGH :lol: :lol:

Brian. This person must be telling the truth after all he is a "northerner" Just checked the urban dictionary for that word, oops springs to mind :lol: I wont quote on such a distinguished forum what it actualy means

"squaddy" English slang for "soldier"