Gilles

The sword belt seems to be legit but.....we have to keep in mind that a shop in Japan used to sale some for reenactment (Nakata) and those belt are now over 40 years old. About the chain, it's an original one, but, quite a lot of countries used some. My guess is that this chain is legit.

Very nice shin-gunto, all complete with a family mon. I have never seen such markings on this kind of hanger. But, when you collect Japanese militaria and samurai swords you are always surprised. it is original for sure.

I agree with Colin. The mekugi ana is too low on the nakago and the kanji are just not right. Red light for this one.

Take care Brian. Getting old is not simple, I feel it everyday. The nakago and mei seems to be like one from the Meiji era, narrow nakago, big kanji.......

Like John said, it seems that parts from different origins have been put together. The ishizuke is a fake, the brass type on the bottom of the saya comes from a NCO sword as Rob said. The tsuka (kabutogane and fuchi) seems genuine. The nakago seems too short for the length of the tsuka....... A Frankenstein sword...............!

Overall condition is average, the blade seems to be old (before 1868) but not discernible in that condition which is not good. Price is quite high for that stuff. I will wait for a better one but it is up to you.

It's quite a conundrum, the hamon tells that it is oil quenched but the hada is visible. I agree with Jean, it seems to be a mix of traditional and modern techniques and materials but it is just my opinion.

PM sent, Thank you.

It seems to be a military shin-gunto from the end of the war. All the fittings are low grade and the blade is not traditionally made. The shark skin under the bidding of the handle is rhodoid, which was mainly used in 1944/1945. The nakago (tang) is signed but its black color is suspicious. On this tang there are two mekugi ana (holes) and the handle seems to have only one, it is possibly a sign that it is not the original blade. The scabbard was protected by a leather cover which is not here anymore. I see on the pictures 675 USD which is a bit expensive but that is my personal opinion.

This one was sold to me by the excellent Grey Doffin under the tittle Yamabushi manji tsuba. I like its simplicity.

Dear Bruce, Here are the omote and ura sides. You have here all the mei.

Dear Bruce, I do own that wakazashi. Reading the nakago is as follows : - Omote : RYUSAISHI (Ryu-sai-shi), MASASHIGE with KAO. Answer to a request by Suuyo (present Tokuyama city) Tsumori (surname) Yoshikiyo. Made by using excellent water of seventh well (place name ?) at KO-REY (Suo, present Yamaguchi-city). - Ura : My ancestor had lost a MASAMUNE sword in a fire in the Eiroku era (1558-1569), since then a long time has passed. I was sad about this past fact. Now, fortunately, Ryusaishi forged this sword instead of the sword lost in the fire. This sword was delivered by using all his techniques. Yoshikiyo with KAO (orderer) Bunka ninen ni gatsu hi (Feb, 1805). Masashige was a swordsmith in the Suishinshi Masahide kado. Hope it helps.

Thank you again Moriyama San for your help. I agree with you Piers, I consider that it is an historic object and a witness of a troubled era were the sword was the main weapon.

Thank you very much Moriyama San. It seems to be a real conundrum. Do you think that it is a counterfeit document (even if it is an old one) which was made to enhance the value of the hitai-ate or to give a special importance ?

Got it Piers, could be contemporary to the Boshin war period. Thank you very much to both of you, Piers and Uwe. Your help was decisive and help me a lot to understand and appreciate that new acquisition.

Thank you Piers, it explain why those two names are quoted and their attributions. Can we date this hitai-ate between 1864 ans 1868 ???? I can't see a date on the certificate.

Thank you for your help gentlemen. I guess we won't go further on this one.

Does anyone has infos about the armor maker Yoshikatsu Kawamura, who is said by the seller to be employed by the Sakai family of the Shonai domain ? Any help on this certificate will be welcome.

Piers, Can you tell me what is written on the paperwork ? Is it a certificate, ? I can't see a date....! Anyway, I like the way the kanji(s) are drawn. I remember the one belonging to Jan which is in better condition.

Yes Uwe, you sure know me . This type is not so common to find and it seems to be complete and original. I can see the smith name on the certificate......

Dear all, I recently acquired an hitai-ate from the Bakumatsu era. It was described by the seller as : made by Yoshikatsu Kawamura, armor maker of the Sakai family of the Shonai domain, used by the Shinsengumi, Tsuruoka domain. It has three other engraved inscription which are : Hachiman Daibosatsu, Amaterasu Omikami Shrine, Kasuga Daimyojin Shrine. It comes with eight different types of amulets and what I understand to be a certificate. Can you help me on the certificate ? I will need a full translation to see if it is really linked to the hitai-ate. How old is it ? Any helpful comments are welcome. Thank you for your help.

Colin said all about carved BOHI.

Like John said "The one I would be worried about is the ware" next to the HA (in the HAMON I guess). It is never a good thing but it is a little one. Obviously, the BOHI were carved to hide some ware.

I'm afraid that Uwe is right. It is a Showa copy.

Mostly nie for me.