Michaelr

Could someone please help me with the signature on a Wakizashi that I am looking at? Thank you in advance. MikeR

Stephen, a very tuff question to answer. I have been there and had to do that a few times in my life. Everyone has different thoughts on the subject. Every situation is different which leads to different answers. When things are good you think about “ what would I do if something happened” easy answers because it is only a “ what if” situation. At a time when I was forced to sell my whole WW2 weapons collection it was very hard at first. But when it finally came down to it I sold a lot of my collection to friends at a reduced price because I knew they would appreciate it and enjoy the things as I did. I also had some things that I bought right and sold for a very good profit. Kinda made up for some of the loss. In the end of the whole collection I might have just broke even. On the other hand when I was forced to sell only one item I held off until I was prepared mentally. MENTALLY, is the important part. Don’t sell something that you will Regret later, when you get right mentally and know it has to go even at a loss try and pass it on to someone that will appreciate it as much as you have, this will ease some of the pain We would all like to keep everything that make us happy but Life Happens. Treasure the time that you had with ANYTHING that makes you happy and when it is time to let it go move past it and enjoy what you have. Sometimes things that we are forced to let go come back to us later in life, and sometimes later in life when things get better we look back and think “ what was the big deal and why was it so hard “ Good luck with what ever decision you make—- IT WILL BE THE RIGHT ONE! MikeR

WOW Thank you to all for all of the help. It is great to have a place like this to come and have such great help. Thanks to all that like my current living room. I will post some pictures when the new room gets set up. It will be a slow process but I will get it done. No need to worry about flooding as when the home was built it was surrounded with drains. (A family of plumbers ). I will install a weather station in the room and monitor it closely. I will also get into the habit of checking my blades more frequently. MikeR

Lol I do not know Peter but I will have to check it when I get home. SAS thank you for the 55% RH. Do you think that if I can keep the RH at 55% the temperature isn’t too much of a factor? I currently check my blades twice a year but it is easier to remember when they are right in front of you. MikeR

Thank you all for the responses. I am glad you enjoyed the picture. No wife so that’s why I can display all my STUFF in the living room. I am in the process of selling my home and moving in with my 91 year old mother to help her out and I don’t think she would be open to a Japanese Living room but a nice space in the basement will do just fine. Austus I will have some time off near Christmas and would be more that happy to post more pictures of my swords MikeR

For unseen reasons I am having to move my sword collection that is now displayed all around my living room to a finished room in the basement. The basement is dry but not heated. I will be installing a dehumidifier and a electric heater to control the environment. What are the recommendations as to the proper temperature and humidity? Since it will be a room approximately 14’ x20’ I can control the environment. Thank you in advance MikeR Below is what my living room looks like now

Very nice sword Steven. Congratulations MikeR

Chris, I am interested in attending but I can’t make the first meeting due to prior commitment. I live in central NJ but am willing to meet up. I am looking forward to the second of what I hope will be many meetings. MikeR

Jim congratulations on your sword. I am by no means a expert and after a few years into Nihonto I still consider myself a newbie. I see that you are in Pennsylvania. If you are anywhere near central NJ I would be glad to assist you in dissembling your sword and taking more pictures to post here on the forum. This is the best place for information and to learn about all you want to know. Let me know if I can be of any assistance. MikeR

I will also add my Thank You Bruce Very Much. Bruce helped me with my first sword and also with others along the way. When I was in doubt about how to proceed on this forum Bruce stepped up and put it out there for all to enjoy

Beautiful job.

Krystian, I think your pictures look great. If those pictures were used for a sword that was for sale and I was interested I would be satisfied with them. MikeR

WOW I don’t collect Tsuba’s but that looks great. Thank you for sharing. Show us more pictures when it is done ( I think it looks great as It is ) MikeR

Are the spots only on one side? The reason that I ask is that I have never heard of sword in Shirasaya being stored flat. I was always told to store my blades on their back. Just wondering if the spots have something to do with the side of the blade that is on the bottom being in constant contact with the side of the Shirasaya? I have heard stories of blades rusting in their Shirasaya after long term storage. Just a thought. MikeR

Kathleen, everyone has their own taste but I love it. They say that ‘ You don’t pick a blade- a blade picks you ‘ If you love it and can afford it Go for it. Good luck and thank you for sharing MikeR

I have seen both Wakizashi and Tantos in their original Shirasaya that have been covered with leather or some other material and mounts added. I have a Tanto in a leather covered Shirasaya and a Wakizashi in a Shirasaya covered with a green material similar to the material on a Tanker helmet. So if this sword was in its Shirasaya then it would have been no problem to shorten it. MikeR

Thank you David. I believe the blade to be Gendaito. But I am still a beginner MikeR

John, I checked every possible place for fading and the color is all consistent. The cream color looks original and the brown is also in good shape and not faded either. Thank you all MikeR

Last set of pictures. I hope that I didn’t post too many pictures but I thought more is better. Thank you all

Second set of pictures. The tip may appear damaged in some pictures but it is not, it just got under the threads of the gray background

I wasn’t sure if this was the place to post this or the military section so moderator please move if necessary. I am looking for help of a recent purchase, the blade is Mumei and seems very heavy. The tassel is a brown/ tan-cream color ( Manchuria railroad ? ). It is mounted in military mounts, the scabbard being the early gloss paint but the interesting part is that all the fittings including the pierced Tsuba and menuki are a brown color. I have included a lot of pictures ( maybe too many ). I would like to thank everyone in advance for their help and time. Mike R Sword: Nagasaki- 26 3/8” Nakago- 8 7/8” Sori- 1/2” Width- 1 1/8” Thick- 5/16”

Brian I am also in the “nope group” As you I don’t believe the Japanese military made short swords for any service only just that they did exist.

Thank you Dave. I have stayed out of this conversation but follow it intently. I believe that in any type of conflict or war NOTHING is cut in stone and if you believe it is you are missing out on a large part of the collecting field. Please take the time to look at this 6 minute clip of a Japanese film on YouTube-Imperial Japanese War Movie “ Kato Hayabusa Sento-Tai “. Sorry I couldn’t figure out a way to put a link to it. In the very beginning if you look closely you will see a paratrooper with what looks like a short sword tucked into his belt. When they land the Japanese soldier in charge definitely has a short sword as do others in the clip. I have a couple signed short, Wakizashi length swords in military mounts that I feel are totally original. A couple Armies and one that I call my Tanker. Everyone has their own opinion and what they feel is “ right”, all I am saying is when it comes to collecting keep a open mine and never say never. And always remember just because you read it in a book dosent mean that there are no exceptions.

WOW Dave, thank you so much. I just checked out that thread and when I scrolled down there was a picture of a brown/cream one just like I saw. Thank you all very much. MikeR

John, thank you very much. I will do some searching and try and find that thread MikeR