DirkO

Although not so extensive, I use A dictionary of Japanese History by Joseph Goedertier. On the upside - I think you can get it at a fraction of the ones you mention.

Congrats Henry It's looks really nice, although I think they tuned down the bright orange? Could be the photo.

I think he usually preys on new members on forums. I would stay clear of him. Do a search on Pavel Nowak on this forum and you'll find out you're not the first. eg. http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=9400&hilit=nowak

If it's an unsolicited mail, I'd be very cautious. His name wouldn't happen to be Pavel Nowak ?

"Ômi" is a province (Tosando route) and "Kami" means god/lord. So it means Lord of Ômi, these were honorary titles bestowed upon smiths for services rendered, but as with everything desirable, corruption also played a part. Some smiths simply bought their title.

George, Although hard to believe, I'm not at all interested in the blade (the overal condition is poor) but I was just trying to hunt down the translation for my own pleasure. Pointing out the active auction is just common courtesy. That way people won't feel abused as so often happens. Good call on the SANE kanji by the way! Mine came close, but not close enough. Thanks! Moriyama-san, I wrote Bungo more as a reminder for myself to easily identify the smith. But thanks for your comment.

- This is from an ACTIVE auction - Just thought I'd point that out first. The mei seemed interesting and clear enough to try and have a go at it: Here's what I think it says: 豊後 高田 住 藤原 眞行 BUNGO/HOSHU TAKADA JU FUJIWARA SANEYUKI I'm not too sure about the Saneyuki bit seeing the nakago is a bit battered there and the signature isn't clear. Correct or not?

One of the better posts in a long while and very educational at that! Thanks to all who contributed

Couldn't this be a kata kiri ba that's been polished down and thus removing the shinogi? By the looks of the bonji it had it's fair share of polishing?

Hi Jason, A good site to help you figure them out yourself is: http://www.jssus.org/nkp/index.html Then go to Tosogu Kanji -> Tosogu Kanteisho

Jason, if it's yours, how come it's also for sale on eBay? http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-Japanese-Katana-Samurai-Sword-/230633499472

I have one that's called Dewa sanzan shinko~ to Gassan to~ko~ (The Religous Practices of the Three Peaks of Dewa Province and the Gassan Swordsmiths) which I would recommend. Shown in the catalogue are: 13 ko-gassan blades (one photo, others are oshigata), 13 blades by Gassan Sadayoshi, the founder of Osaka Gassan (one photo, others are oshigata), two blades by Sadayoshi's students (oshigata), 15 blades by Gassan Sadakazu (nine photos, rest are oshigata), 6 blades by Gassan Sadakatsu (all oshigata), 12 blades by Gassan Sadakazu II [sadaichi] (ten photos + oshigata), and 3 blades by Gassan Sadatoshi (all photos).

It's from Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiri_sute_gomen

a form of toran-ha ? to compare from Mishina Kenji's site: http://www007.upp.so-net.ne.jp/m-kenji/oshigata/shinto9.html

Hi Steve, First of all : Welcome! Seeing you have a lot of basic questions (which is normal when starting out), maybe a good place to start would be the FAQ at the top : http://www.nihontomessageboard.com/faq.html Here you'll find a recommended booklist and some good tips to start you off.

Most probably a stylised Fudo Myo-o

It's from the polearm terms book from Hawley. Picked it up a few years ago from Satcho for 15USD. All terms also have their kanji, but it's Easter and I don't have time to look them all up

These might be of interest ...

I agree the Knutsen book is quite pricy, but still one of the best book in English re polearms. The hawley book can be had for a fraction of your estimate : http://www.bugei.com/150-Japanese-polearm-terms-23-prd0.htm

Two books come to mind: Japanese polearms by Knutsen 150 Japanese Polearm Terms by Hawley

Hi Rymunn, Would it also be possible to have some overall shots of the actual blade?

If the original pic is correct, couldn't the poor chiseling be down to the samoji mei? Although I must admit that for a blade this age, the nakago patina is worrying to say the least

Hi Hatanaka-san, I only knew 十 as Jû, so thanks for the clarification I've read somewhere that it's more correct to use 'third month' instead of March, but I can't remember the reason for that.

After rotating and mirroring the mei: I think I can make out the date partially: 昭和 ?? 二 年 三 月 Shôwa ?? Ni Nen San Gatsu So 3rd month of 1927. In the "??" I think there might be 2 kanji there : ? 合 (? HARU) but I can't really find a zodiacal date that corresponds...