Jim Rogers

Thanks everyone for your input.

Oh, and what would that do to the value? Thanks.

I got some translation assistance from the crew here with great appreciation on my part. One comment from Brian, who I respect for his knowledge, regarded his gut instinct that the sword in question might have been oil quenched rather than water (traditionally) quenched. How can one tell? The swordmaker is noted on the sword guide as 'undocumented' as a WWII era swordmaker. That sounds like he was relatively unknown. So what to I look for to determine oil quenched or water quenched. Again, I respect Brian's best guess but it would be nice to know. The makers name was Minamoto Yoshiharu. Thanks, Jim

Thanks Brian and Steve. I had no idea about the letter. I have no idea about value. I knew it needed a polish, but no point puttingm lipstick on a pig. Would it be worth the investment in a polish? With no info on the maker, hopefully he'll pass it on to his children. Thanks everyone.

Here are some additional photo's Brian. He isn't sure about selling it yet, but then he just sold me 4 Colt single action army's so he's leaning that way.

There's no Star so I assumed Gendai. I could find nothing about the maker. The gentleman saw I have a few swords so brought in some items her father brought home from Japan, The sword and a beat up wak and a captured flag signed by his unit along with some interesting items like a stack of occupation money. There was a letter and after thinking, I believe it was in regards to the sword. It has a superficial resemblance to the shinsas letter with the large red stamp. Fun stuff. I appreciate the help from the members.

Sorry, I did it between customers. Thanks Stephen. Long time for me between posts.

I own a gun shop and a customer brought in a WWII bring back Katana (among a number of items brought back during the occupation). The koshirae aren't military except the tsuba. It is signed if anyone can help. It doesn't appear especially old. Thanks for any help. Jim

I love this set. I know Mantis dude collects these mantis themed koshirae. Lots of bidding on this beautiful Fuchi Kashira set. http://www.ebay.com/itm/381004253567?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT Enjoy, Jim

I just noticed this on one of the Tsuba's I'm watching on eBay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/380999134430?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

I don't know if this has been posted but a 28 minute video on swordmaking. Nice for newcomers. Jim

I got frustrated with my old camera so ordered a new digital SLR package. I'll have to try again when it gets here.

Thanks Grey. I ordered a copy. Jim

I just received my second nihonto, a katana by the 11th Kanesada. I saw an article I believe was written by one of our members, Markus. I'll send it for Shinsa to Chicago. I wanted to see if it was worthy of further restoration and shinsa before I invested more into it. I'm very pleased as it's nicer than expected. I'll try to post some pictures in the next couple days. I'm a happy boy! Jim

Thanks Chris. I'll keep it on my watch list and see what happens.

Still not a good investment. No cure I can think of. Still, it's at $ .99

That there's funny.

Thanks Barry. The seller said first thing there was a hole in the blade. It's just such a perfectly round hole through the hamon. The drop of blood makes sense.

Yikes!!! That's ugly Brian!!

Weird damage to this Wak. How do you get a hole in the blade? Hagire? LOL

Actually I was surprised ebay let them sell a firearm. Jim

Very interesting netsuke (?). http://www.ebay.com/itm/TEPPO-NETSUKE-w ... 43cefcae27

Welcome aboard. This is a great site with many helpful and knowledgeable folks. Jim

Like many of us, I check the ebay auctions for nihonto items. I favor a few Japan based sellers, but I've seen a bunch of Chinese tsuba's sold by supposedly Japanese sellers (Real, authentic, antique). This is a new one. Checked some fittings on this guy and when I looked at the "sellers other items", half say from Japan and half from the Russian Federation. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Katana-Japanese ... 25945d2131 As always, beware, Jim

Hilarious. Homer Simpson at work?