Erwin

Thank you very much for your help, great and sorry I had the picture displayed upside down Best regards Erwin

Dear all, Today I was able to buy a Shin Gunto and you were so very helpful in translating the Mei to Mishina Yoshiaki. While picking up the sword today, the seller showed me a Naval dagger which had a signing as well and wonder what you think of this. The blade is in a pretty poor condition unfortunately Thank you for any assistance you can provide Best regards and have a great day Erwin

Thank you Trystan, today I was able to purchase this. Many thanks for your help Best regards Erwin

Dear Geraint, Thank you very much for the lead, very much appreciated. Have a great weekend Erwin

Dear all, Can someone help me with the ranslation of the Mei in the picture attached Your help is greatly appreciated Best regards Erwin

Hi Timothy, No idea how the blade is, probably spray-painted green as well. The Katana is for sale at a local trade site in the Netherlands. Just sad Thansk Erwin

Sometimes you come across horrible things , like people emptying a spray cap with green paint over what seems to be an OK shin gunto and damage it beyond restoration - what are they thinking ! Have you ever seen something like this before? Erwin

Dear All, Let me contribute to the archive with the version I have. Best regards and have a great day Erwin

Dear all, Thank you for the great discussion reading through all the responses. Interesting to see that a post without any intention triggers so many of you to write something which most of all shows your passion and knowledge. Appreciate all the thoughts and have a great day Erwin

Thank you Klaus, that was sort of the what I found as well and thank you for the efforts. Best regards Erwin

Hi Neil, Thank you for the excitment & passion you always bring to the table and the impressive pictures of your collection. Do not get me wrong, I still love to see the Kai from Sukenori and from all the versiosn I had this one still feels as one with quality, great fitting & stirdy. The fact the hammon is only visible at roughly 25% of the blade is a bit of a pitty but this also is a result of history, as to where it has been and in which conditions. thanks again and have a great day Erwin

Thank you for your advise Chris and will take this into account In the end of the day, and in the future, I will most likely sell it further if I see an opportunity. No rush in that respect. Best regards Erwin

Thank you for your comments and was my understanding as well that the term: with the aid of machines, does more right to the work and craftmanship going into producing the blade. Of course, with the Seki stamp applied, it is certainly not traditionally made but believe the overal set-up is nice and indeed, the sun ray Tsuba assembly is also my fav set-up and love the details. With best regards and have a lovely day Erwin

Hi Jean, Why do you think it is mostly mchine made? Just trying to understand the rationale behind it. Thank you Erwin

Hi all, This post is only to share my excitment with respect to one of the latest purchases, a Kai Gunto made by Nagata Sukenori. I have done most of the research already so no particular questions although I cannot find too much information around this smid. What I found I added to the photoshoot in the pictures attached. Although the Katana is in a great condition overal, I think the blade has not been treated well. The hammon is only very slightly visible unfortunately andfor sure a polish would bring it back alive. Anyhow, just though it would be nice to show. Best regards Erwin

Hi Stegel, That is truly an awesome collection you have there. Have not seen the off-white version yet but great to see all these variants in one single shot. Thanks for sharing and have a great day Erwin

Thank you Klaus, I have been searching for this smid as well but nithing showed up. Thank you for the link and it basically confirms that other do not seem to find links as well Best regards and appreciate the link and input a lot Erwin

Thank you both Matt and John for your input, this is much appreciated. with best regards and a great day Erwin

Dear members, I came across this WOII Katana. Can someone help me translating the Mei on the Nakago please. The work is so sharp and defined, really iinteresting Thank you in advance and with best regards Erwin

Thank you Bruce, The black version is pretty rare. I am working on a photoshoot and will post some additinonal images in due time, just for fun Have a great day Erwin

Hi all I also recently purchased a type 95 wood version with the number 208054. Interesting on this version it is a black saya version which it took me a while to find. Looking at the information above this one would than be dated late '44 I guess? Kind regards Erwin

That is an interesting thought and observation, thank you for sharing Dave. Best regards Erwin

Hi to all, I came across a Saya with an Ashi design I have not seen before and cannot find similar designs on the net. Have you seen this and can you enlighten me further? The sword iteself is signed Hiro yoshi unfortunatley it has been adapted with extra holes to fit a Tsuka ( missing as well) It is however the design of the Ashi that I found interesting Thank you for your insights and with best regards Erwin

Interesting, the closed heart surface has indeed a structure so it is intended as such and not a casting mistake. In order to form the opening a corepin on the outside slides of the tool need to fit into slots in the core of the tool. After release from the tool it needs polishing work to remove flesh and clear up split line edges. Indeed, most likely a design alternative, faster to make, less fragile in toolimg and maintenance.......sort of makes sence. Like the open heart better though. Thanks for sharing, I had not seen it before but relative new to the matter so no surprise there. Best regards Erwin

Hi Jean, You are correct, new and better pictures are needed to tell something meaningful on this. It was a long shot but thought I would ask anyway. Thank you for looking at this and have a great day. Erwin