OnTime2Day

Great feedback, thanks all!

Decided to practice on my old, worn mumei Wakizashi. Fits like a glove. Here are a few pics through process. I will go thicker next time. Thoughts? All started with a copper pipe from Home Depot. Next is the Shirasaya, which is half done showing in background of last pic ( several blanks of Ho wood secured from Japan)

Exactly my thoughts. Have been looking at Sika antlers all week. They seem to be more upright and suitable for this purpose (plus are Japanese) so speak to the spirit of the project. Fortunately there are a few vendors out there.

Great ideas and feedback all! I’ve settled on my design (see my poor attempt at a pencil sketch haha). Base will be mahogany two stacked rectangles with a small legs on each side. Already picked up a nicely grained wood piece and, found a really nice antique 8” wood plane (another lucky antique store find, ha). Already sharpened the plane and in use on the rough cut side of the wood. This will also be very handy for all the Honoki wood already ordered and on the way from a Japan for my Shirasayas ...another project. Dimensions 2’x 6” x 1 5/8” bottom 18” x 4” x 1 5/8” top 6” x 1” x 1/2” legs Welcome any thoughts and suggestions as always.

Thanks for the feedback and great ideas all! John, that set-up looks nice!!

Hi all! Going to build a custom sword stand to honor the family heirloom swords I inherited plus the very old Tanto recently discovered. I can make a traditional style or one from Deer antlers (actually easier). Would love to hear your opinions. Please see the attached vintage examples from Japan. Keeping traditional Japanese beliefs in mind, does using antlers in this way go against any cultural/spiritual norms or diminish honoring said swords? Thank you!

Thank you all. I truly appreciate all of the amazing guidance. Also wanted to offer my appreciation for your patience as I learn more about Nihonto. I am collecting, learning and appreciating the art/history of Nihonto with no intentions to sell my swords. I have a tremendous respect for the Japanese culture and hope to visit one day. It all started with a random, worn-out Wakizashi purchase on eBay 15+ years ago. Who was the smith? What battles caused all of its battle scars? Why weren’t the last owners more respectful of the blade’s upkeep? Etc... When my grandfather passed his WW2 katana and wak to me, it rekindled the need to learn more. Learning that Akimitsu made the Katana in 1943 and that the Yoshihiro wak was much older was amazing and humbling. The stories that the blades carry are much bigger than a name or it’s possession. We don’t seem to really own them in my opinion...we are simply responsible for treating them honorably until they are passed to the next person responsible for their care. So much to learn. Very nice to meet such a great community! Ryan

Hi all. Considering getting Shirasaya for my Katana and two wakizashis to better preserve them. Anyone have any suggestions on who to consider? Good quality, low moisture, not lacquered, etc... Thanks

Perhaps NAG324 1441-1457 famous for his Horimono?

Thank you. Based on this Mei, looks like it must be one of the Bungo smiths from the 15th or 16th century? Lucky find. Was literally in with bunch of used fishing knives/ pocket knives. Just a bit of surface rust here/there. No deep pitting. Will be in better care.

Hello! I appreciate any assistance on Mei and any other thoughts on this Tanto. Shame about the Habaki...it looks to possibly be gold and has interesting fine details, but some redneck must have used pliers on it to get it out of mount. Tanto came in shirasaya. Nagasa 21.5cm Nakago 10cm Munimachi 0.5cm Motohaba 2.1cm Thanks!

My sincerest apologies all. Here is a post with pics consolidated. Easy on the rookie. Odd that one side of blade, darker Chi-Suguha temper seems very evident in the right light. Other side, the polish highlight overwhelms it making it look like a Notare? Maybe a stylistic preference by polisher? 2 Kanji Mei more common in older blades?

Thank you Ken! Any takers on smith they think this 2 Kanji Mei May belong to?

Nagasa. 63.5cm Kissaki. 4cm

Thank you Steve. Seems pretty old, seen some battles. Shinto covers a lot of years. Has been fun learning more and more about Nihonto. Ryan