Mark S.

Found the attached pics of a sword at a militaria site and the owner was seeking info about it. I thought this would be a good mei to try to decipher because it appeared clear and the kanji would be easy to find with some due diligence. Being a novice’s novice, frustration soon set in. I wish I could say I was proud of myself for figuring it all out, but I can’t. What happened is I found a couple kanji that matched up and then using the magic of the internet, I got lucky and came across an entire mei that matched very closely. The mei on the opposite side I could not get. The bottom kanji matches with Kuni, but also has to do with dates and provinces(?), and the first kanji completely escaped me. So… is my initial ‘guess’ is Omi no Kami Hojoji Tachibana Masahiro The other mei? Any info I could pass on about this smith to the original poster at the site would be appreciated. Thanks, Mark S.

Could the engraving have been something like this and just have been polished / buffed / ground down? http://www.arco-iris.com/George/images/ ... rimono.jpg

Just saw this... for those who might be interested... a book about Tokugawa armor and swords. http://www.rikyucha.com/item/list2/44251/ Mark S.

Thanks Chris and everyone else. I just thought it was interesting that the first mei I found regarding this smith other than my own blade turned up to be SO completely different. Thanks for your thoughts. Mark S.

As I said before, neither blade has an arsenal stamp. Could this be a case of an independent contractor or ??? Also, interested in the VERY different signature styles, although I assume mine might be a more 'expedient' way of signing. Thanks All, Mark S.

E-Bay Blade: Overall

My Blade: Overall

E-Bay Blade: Hamon

My Blade: Hamon 2

My Blade: Hamon 1

E-Bay Blade: Mei

Here goes my attempt at posting comparative pics of my Katsunaga blade and e-bay blade. My Blade: Mei

EDIT: Blade on E-Bay is now sold. Not sure if this changes any rules, so I'll wait before adding link or pics. I wish to be very careful as I'm not sure if my question will break any rules, so I'll be open and honest and look to others to tell me I did anything wrong or give me the O.K. to go further. Question: Is it common for a WW2 swordsmith to have his name show up on both 'army pattern mount' and 'navy pattern mount' swords? I have a blade signed by an undocumented smith (according to Richard Stein's site) that is in army mounts. There is a blade by the same named smith on E-Bay that is in navy mounts. The smith is Unjosai Katsunaga. The signature on my blade is more 'chippy', while the navy blade has much more smoothly cut (flowing) strokes. Neither blade has arsenal stamps. I have not posted pictures of my blade as I have already asked for advice and do not wish to appear to be 'fishing' for more information. I did not post the link or pictures to the navy blade as it is currently for sale on I'm not sure this is allowable. Just trying to keep myself clear of trouble. I just wasn't sure if smiths provided both army and navy blades? Also interested in the big difference between the signatures. If pics (in this case) are allowable and would help, please let me know. Thanks You, Mark S.

I know I am about to ask probably the STUPIDEST question ever on this Board, but here it goes... With all the references to name changes of swordsmiths, such as: taking a new name, being given a new name, being allowed to use an new name or part of a new name, and using the different names for different purposes (art name vs given name), how in the world did they keep track of all the changes and did it ever cause confusion (more so than it does today as we try to keep track of who engraved what sword)? If I am not mistaken, it would be possible to acquire several names changes over the course of one's lifetime. Being an American, and keeping a single name over one's lifetime, I am simply admitting my ignorance of this cultural practice. Please be gentle...

Not sure what this is, but thought someone might want to take a look: http://www.rikyucha.com/item/list2/60151/ Item description : This is a pictorial book of Japanese antique called "Shu" (Collection) Vol No 35. This book features a Japanese Kabuto and introduces various Kabuto in full color. It is composed of 190 pages in total and about 124 pages in color. Mark S.

Point taken... and my point made. Congrats Mark S.

And there it is... only ten posts in and this extremely interesting discussion "jumps the shark". Now we get to watch it devolve into personal attacks and defense of personal positions rather than an extremely interesting discussion of the original subject. Why does this hurt so much!?! Mark S. (sorry forgot to sign)

Not trying to be vague or difficult, just didn't have a lot of time to post last time. Hopefully this might help? Mark

Probably should have been more specific - I was comparing item 09172 to 08710. Mark S.

Just to highlight this topic. AOI has two Tadahiro (I assume same smith by their description) blades currently for sale. When I compared the signatures side by side, there are some differences that to a complete novice (ME) look like some of the same differences that are discussed on this board for reasons to question whether it is the same smith or gimei, etc. For example, the first character in the mei seems very different and the last two characters have minor differences. Not questioning AOI in any way! Just trying to learn and I thought it was timely that two swords by the same smith were available for discussion. Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on these mei's and their differences. Mark S.

Thank you both. I should have mentioned that only a short drive is required - no flying. Mark S.

Does anyone have any recommendations for transporting/carrying unmounted blades to a sword show? With the upcoming Chicago show, I may be bringing two unmounted blades for opinions/education. One is a WW2 era blade (I asked a few questions about this blade on this forum a couple of months ago) and the other is probably also a WW2 blade, although it might be a bit older. What would be the best / easiest / SAFEST way to transport the blades and carry them at the show, while also making them easy to show interested individuals. Thanks in advance, Mark S.

Brian, I just wanted to follow up and say "thank you". I'll blame the holidays for my lack of courtesy. Unfortunately, I am not experienced enough to know if what I am looking at is truly nie. Luckily, this is not my blade, so I am not emotionally (or financially) tied to it. I just thought it was a little interesting as I had not seen this hamon pattern on what I have typically observed on WW2 blades - although my experience is EXTREMELY limited - and I realize a hamon by itself is not enough to judge a blade. Mark S.

Gordon, Thank you for your time and information. While searching many of the on-line sites, I was not able to find any other info on this smith, and I could not find any other blades with this specific hamon pattern. I appreciate your sharing what you know. Mark S.

Mei