WM

:D Well he beat me to it, but I just wanted to thank Curran for coming over to take a look and for giving me his insight. I really enjoyed seeing the portion of your collection that you brought; and for your insight/observations on my little weed whacker... (just kidding for all of you who just gasped at the thought, but I think thats why my gramps tried to sharpen it...) I admit to being completely without knowledge on the subject as I have said before...but wether it is real or not, it is a nice addition to the asian art collection that the family has accumulated, and I hope to find a way to restore it. I will take some pictures of the somewhat cleaner Blade and post them tomorrow..., If everyone in the club is as kind, gracious, and patient as Curran, I look forward to seeing you all in New York, and learning more about this fascinating history of artisan work. Warm Regards from a new student of the art, Bill

Noone has been in the garage for 30+ years....so if it was a dremel...it was an old one... I finally found an old Lighting lens and used it as a magnifyiing glass. you can faintly see a whirl but very tight... Must have been grandpa. I freaked out when the handle came apart... studied (european) art history as my minor in college so I have a great respect for the old stuff. I just know absolutely nothing about Asian studies...Thanks again to everyone and I will see some of you in New York! I will still monitor this so if anyone hasa revelation I look forward as always to your input.

Here are Hopefully 2 better pictures of my Lone Menuki the back spacer appears to be copper (actually all of it is copper) It looks to me to be a Dragon eating a a man ... Please...What is a shishi?

Deflection measurement is 1/2 inch. I forgot to add that, do I need to measure anyting else? I have included 2 good shots of tsuba. Any ideas why the knife hole is plugged? also ther appears to be little pieces of copper wedged into the fitting of the tsubs ( I guess used for sizing) but it appears to be Iron. Thanks again to everyone you all are so nice. :D

I am just down the road as they say...do you have a good knowledge of these things? If so could we meet before? I am currently on 2 week vacation and my business explodes in Sept. I am hoping to go to the meeting but there is always a chance I will have to put it of... This is my free time....

So I figured the easiest way to help you see the curvature is to shoot it on th straight edge of my hardwood floor... I had to look up Menuki to figure out what you meant but I got that too...like I said before the Japanese is confusing to the newbie, and there is only one...No chance of rewrapping the cord it seems to be made of many fine strands of white fiber (is that Silk?) as it broke in the middle of the handle....but I saved it anyway....

Thanks to everyone, if you would like to add anything it is appreciated! My first sword and it's a doozy! If all this is true it would appear the old family friend was a great friend! I hope I can restore it. If anyone has recommendations of a good polisher in the NYC area I would be happy to hear of it... Also any venture of a guess on worth? Should I be calling my insurance company? By the way there was only one charm? does that mean anything? and from what I can tell te handle wrapping was not traditional just white cord ( silk) wrapped around... I am sorry to use my english appllications for the identifications ( i know it is rude) the Japanese is brand new to me and I am just trying to learn.

Peter, I am in the NYC tri state area. What is expensive? I tried to take a better pic of the fittings. and one has the charm that was wrapped into the handle. Thanks again for your time, it is a fascinating but a little overwhelming subject. Regards, Bill

Thanks Peter! :D I was wrong it is 28" i measured where the copper fitting was ( is it copper?)not from the back blade notch. So what do I do now? any suggestions ??and what should it cost to get it cleaned up? also any guesses to relative worth? or where I can take it?

Thanks for the reply. The measurement from the tang to the tip ( where the tang ends and the blade starts meaasured agains the back of the blade is 27.5" exactly. Total length is 34.5" tip to tip. Both side of tang are photographed and those with one sided tip shot are attached. Thanks again! Tsuba is just shy of 3" in diameter by the way!

I found this in my Grandpa's stuff in the garage. he past away 30+ years ago... nana doesn't remember it... does anyone have any info on where I can find out more? there is no stamp or id on the tang at all. the peg holding the handle on was wooden and the handle cord came unwrapped while I was trying to get the peg out... turns out the peg was by the tsuba and I was trying to free the handle by removing the ornament....I guess that makes me a dummy. I have no experience with this and hope I haven't messed up terribly. I am attaching a couple pics but I can send high res to anyone interested. They were good friends with a museum curator who often gave them presents when he came back from collecting...as I messed up I almost hope it's not valuable there are dragonfly's on the sheath and it looks as if it was sharpened by a rock. the butt of the handle has a dragon and so does the tsuba. Thanks in advance Bill