RayE

You are wise! Now that I'm looking for evidence of this, it is clear. Some of the best looking steel (in terms of polish) is from under the habaki. I can also see the relatively fresh steel right behind the Machi (both). It is interesting that the other side of the nakago (opposite the mei) also has the kiri marks, but they extend about twice as far down toward the tip as on the mei side. It is also curious to me that in the original condition the nakago would seem to too "short" - could it have been mounted without a habaki? I believe the blade was shortened by almost exactly the length of the current habaki. Why might this have been done? Finally (until I think of something else to bother you with!), what does this do to the value of this piece? In my mind, nothing - since it's value is all sentimental to me, but for others? Thank you so much for your help. You have been very generous. Ray

Just to make sure I got the terminology correct: MACHI-OKURI - blade shortened by moving up the ha-machi and mune-machi Is this what you mean? If so, what do you see that brings you to this thought? And the "yasurime takanoha" refers to the feather pattern of file marks on the nakago? Thanks to all for your observations so far! Ray

Thanks for the info! I took a lot of pictures tonight, but very few really show anything. I tried to capture what I can see of the hamon, but it's tough. I'd call it Gunome (from http://token.cz/external/meiboku/guide/ ... /index.htm), which I believe is a typical Mishina style (?) Mune = Ihori Hada = Can't see it well, but probably Masame. Sori = 9/16", 1.4cm (measuring from line from Mune -Machi to tip) Nagasa = 20-7/16", 52cm Nakago = 6", 15.2cm Kasane @ Mune-machi = 7/32", 6mm Mihaba @ Mune-Machi = 1-3/32", 2.8cm Kissaki (tip to yokote) = 1-1/8", 2.9cm Any more info from these pics? Thanks, RayE

Well, I've exhausted all of the available resources that I can find on the net and am really frustrated. I have not been able to come up with anything else on this smith. At Sho-Shin, I found a handful of Morimichis but nothing that really tells me anything. Are there other examples of his work that you can point me to? Where did he work? In one case, I see Owari, but he has Musashi in the mei. What does this mean? Can anybody unpack the meaning of the mei for me? I'm really sorry to ask - I like doing for myself - but I can't think of anything else to do short of trying to find and buy a bunch of books. What school was he from? Is/Was he a "good" and respected smith? I know I need to post some pictures of the blade, and will as soon as I have the chance. May be you could tell me more after looking at them? Thanks very much for whatever help you can give me. I REALLY appreciate it. Ray E.

I have been trying to connect to home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/ with no luck. Is there another site (maybe a mirror) where I can see this info? I've been trying not to bother you guys too much, but am not having any success on my own - and I'm usually pretty good at finding things on the 'net. Any ideas? Thanks again for what I've received so far. Ray E.

Wow! Thank you very much. Any other facts or observations that any of you could offer would be very nice. I have no intention of selling this, but am trying to figure out what I should do with it. Polish, restoration, etc. Is it a piece worthy of any of that? I know you can't see it - but from the smith and perhaps his reputation do you have any guidance? The blade is stained/dirty and lightly scratched in a couple of places. It has a slight smell of oil. There are dark patches, but no orange rust. It has been in my father's closet for the past 60 years. No abuse that I know of since he's had it. Again - thanks very much for the translation. I sincerely appreciate it. Ray E.

By the way, I am only interested because it belongs to my father and because of the history behind it. We have no intention of using any information gained here for commercial purposes. It is pure curiosity. Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated. I've been looking over various Kanji tables and I honestly can't tell which way is up! I'm like a dog trying to read a wristwatch. Thanks, Ray E.

Help if you can - please. Here are more pics: Ray

Hi all, I'm new to the forum and new to these swords. My dad has a couple that he got in Japan right after WWII. I have one of them with me and took a few pictures. What can you tell me about this one? The mei (I think that's what it's called) is enhanced with chalk so it stands out fairly well. This is a wakazashi, I think - total length is 26.5" (~67cm). Are there other specifc things that you'd need to see in order to help me figure out what I've got? Thanks for your help, Ray