Thekirsh

Hi You are going to have to put a bigger picture up and turn it 90 degrees for anyone to help you. Posting your name would be good too Simon

This appearance is usually the result of someone running finger stones over the whole blade so they can see the hamon. Simon

Thanks for the replies guys I do not have the blade yet but know it has surface greying so the hada will not be easy to spot.I presume I would be looking for Ayasugi? It certainly does look altered and a shortened Katana is a real possibility as there is little sori. The seller told me it was 3/8 thick which would signal shinshinto I guess,maybe. Could the style of the first Kanji be a point towards shinshinto? I have added another photo( the shiny area is where the owner had a play ) Simon

Thank you for the correct reading Morita san. I have checked my references(Nihonto Koza) and and cannot find Gassan with that style of kanji, they all seem to be box shape. Would anyone have an example to match this style? Simon

Could anyone please help me with the first Kanji, its driving me (and confirm the second) Thanks Simon

Hi Michael, I think the sword in question is a wakizashi signed "Bushu Shimohara ju Hiroshige". Others on the board may shed some light on the signature and its authenticity. Simon

Thank you for the replies Jacques and Ludolf. Simon

Hi, Just wanted to ask if anyone has an oshigata for Yamaura Saneo when he signed "Toshinaga" in later life. Also any example of his later work would be much appreciated. Thanks Simon

I think your tsuka might be bound in doe skin leather. Simon

Well someone liked it Sold - $500 http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/7839944 Simon

Hi Joseph, Reads( I think) Kawachi no kami fujiwara Kunisuke and looks to be gimei Simon

Hi guys, Does anyone have examples of Horimono by Umetada Myoju? Are there any strong indicators to his work? Favorite subjects maybe. Thanks Simon

David, You might also need to consider the cost of re paternating the nakago when it comes polishing time, unfortunatly the mei looks like its been licked with an engineering file And not that it helps much, but it's date of manufacture is 1942. Simon

Thanks for the feed back Guys, especially Veli and his experiment. I guess it gets back to each individual blade,light or heavy buffing, time buffed and type eg cloth or wire wheel. And yes I think we have all seen examples of Showato blades that have been polished up a treat by pop before he handed it on to his eager grandson :D Simon K

Hi Guys, I was reading about the loss of hamon due to fire and it was mentioned that hamon can also be lost through buffing. Has anyone ever seen this first hand, I find it difficult to believe that buffing would create enough heat to change the steels structure Simon

Mmmmm Didn't I just see this on ebay? http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... K:MEWAX:IT Simon

Hey Stephen, Here's a shot of the nakago using flash this time. It shows very little oxidization which has me wondering. The yasurime is Takanoha. Simon

Thanks for the replies Some more photos Simon

Hi everyone I was wondering if anyone has any ideas on this sword I recently purchased. Possible school? It is mumei, has a very distinctive hada and is I believe made during WW2. Hamon is a wide ara-suguha Found in average gunto fittings with a nagasa of 26 3/4 " Thanks Simon

Hi Bob, My best shot at a translation is "Kobi Kunimichi" The sword has a seki stamp also and the two holes just mean that the sword has been mounted twice.eg two different handles. Cheers Simon

Mr Moss, There are no problems sending swords to the US of A. I always send them Australia post, fully insured and registered with tracking number. Only thing I would do, if posting from Queensland, is check that no cane toads jump in the package This will cause problems at customs. Simon

Some great replies guys. Tim, I am sure the states sword law was evoked due to some teenage kid swinging a flea market machete at police but dont remember exactly. Here's a link to the Austalasian Knife collectors site, explaining a little more. http://www.knivesaustralia.com.au/sword ... toria.html Simon

G,day All, Just a heads up to all the Victorian(Australia) Collectors that the state government appears to be having a closer look at our excemption via knife club/s to the states knife laws. Here is the latest article on the subject Sharp eye on lethal weapon collector clubs MARK RUSSELL March 7, 2010 THE Brumby government is cracking down on weapons ''collector'' clubs that may be abusing their legal right to own banned samurai swords and daggers. Police Minister Bob Cameron said he was concerned by a Sunday Age report that revealed Melbourne store Global Gear was encouraging customers to join clubs such as Australian Knife Collectors and the Victorian Historical Edged Weapons Guild as a way to beat the weapons ban. The two clubs are exempt under the Control of Weapons Act from the ban on swords and daggers as their members are considered to be collectors. Swords were declared prohibited weapons in Victoria in 2004, making it illegal to use, possess or carry them unless you were a member of a collectors club. The exemption allows club members to bring swords into Victoria; sell or purchase swords; display or advertise swords for sale; and possess, use or carry swords for the purpose of studying and collecting swords with a historical or cultural significance. Mr Cameron said that after The Sunday Age report he had asked Department of Justice secretary Penny Armytage to write to the Australian Knife Collectors club demanding the club show cause as to why it should not be removed from the exemption list. He said Ms Armytage had also written to other clubs on the exemption list to remind them of their legal responsibilities. ''We want them to keep to the spirit of the law by making sure they have only genuine members,'' Mr Cameron said. The Australian Knife Collectors uses its website to promote the club's exemption in Victoria for the collecting of swords and double-edged knives (daggers). When contacted by The Sunday Age, the club's Perth-based principal, Keith Spencer, said he answered to the club's 5000 collectors nationwide, not to the media. ''I'm not going to help you with your inquiries with us. I actually don't give a damn because you're inconsequential,'' Mr Spencer said. ''We're in damage control to try and look after the interests of the overwhelming majority of law-abiding people who use knives every day of their lives or choose to collect them.'' Membership is open to anyone 18 and over except for ''prohibited persons'' who have been jailed for a serious offence, assault or drug offence; are the subject of an intervention order or apprehended violence order; have been placed on a community-based order or found guilty by a court for an indictable offence. Victoria Police spokesman Sergeant Adrian Keltie said a review of procedures was under way by Victoria Police. ''We are currently in discussions with government about how best to manage these clubs,'' she said. Simon

Thanks for the reply Paul, I will see if I can track down the books via local collectors ( nudge nudge Mr BaZZa) Cheers Simon

Hi Everyone I am trying to find any information on my sword signed "Kawachi Daijo Shigesada" Providing I have translated right that is! I have Hawleys and think he is SHI445 but thats all I have. Nagasa = 68cm Any extra help would be much appreciated. Thanks Simon