falconj

thanks for the info David, now that's a shame, I seem to remember that one suit of armor was given by someone in Japan to the Governor of NSW about 100 years ago, now if they don't want it!, and are giving it away...............................

Does any one know if the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney have any of their Japanese armor, swords on display at about the time of the Sydney Shinsa? I seem to remember attending a JSS of Australia meeting in Sydney many years ago and a lady from the Museum brought some photo's to the meeting showing armor etc, that they had. It would be good to go and see before or after the Shinsa finishes if available, and it also looks close to the Shinsa function hotel. thanks John Perth W.A.

as George said it is an odd sword but it could be good, the fittings as such and koshirae I think are good and will be a close value to what you have paid for the sword, keep researching! regards John

Try the Nihonto Club, http://nihontoclub.com/ the link can also be found in the information section on the NMB here, Stan is in Ireland, unsure where John

Hey Adrian, that was the best ever event!! and you need to be congratulated, you are right, all the presenters Roger, Bob , Gordon and Mal Cox, all did a magnificent job, new info was absorbed and new friends and old were met, some trades and sales were done, doesn't get any better than that, 2010 has a better ring to it, don't you think???? than 2011 (odd number?) maybe 2011 to far away email me off list, with your address, I took some photo's during the 3-4 days but had troubles with the camera, still some good shots, will put them all on disk and send it to you, you can have a laugh and edit whatever! many thanks again for the blast!!!!!!! regards John W.A.

Hi There, Fukumoto Kanemune worked at the Seki Nihon To Tan Ren jo during WW2 His father was Fukumoto Amahide former President and head smith at the Seki Nihon To Tan Ren Jo during that time. Formerly Fukumoto Koichi he also signed Shoshinshi Fukumoto Kanemune, Fukumoto Koichi Kanemune. Hawley Reference KAN 1625 regards John

Hi Harvey, Looks like a Japanese 'mounted police hanger' or 'short sword' with the mounted police badge on the upper back strap of the hilt, looks like type 1 of 2 types shown see page 189 of Fuller and Gregory's Japanese Military and Civil Swords and Dirks regards John

oops, yes Hiwajima is spelt "Heiwajima" my spelling mistake, still worth the visit regards john

Hi John, your going home from Japan to early mate! :D the Tokyo Hiwajima Antique Fair is to good to miss, got some very good bargains to be had there usually 3 - 6th May, go on the last days, sellers really lower prices, going again this year!! regards John

signature looks good to me, but once again advice is check check quality and workmanship with your references where possible regards John

Stephen, looks like NTHK papers, harmon is similar to I have reference to, but somewhat enlarged, nakago close, maybe later generation? John

Stephen, "Kanemoto" What a great smith linage, all 4 of mine are o'suriage, from 1st generation to 3rd generation kanemoto (that is 2nd generation magaroku kanemoto), only have one signed tanto 'akasaka kanemoto seki', and not confident that it's a genuine signature, went to Japan for confirmation last week, will advise on appraisal results if any! regards John

Hi David, my guess is it reads 'no shu seki no ju kojima katsu masa saku' or made by kojima katsumasa resident of seki in noshu (mino) province only example I have is with seki arsenal stamp have been wrong before!! regards John

the saya is crushed pine needles with clear laquer equivilant on top of the needles this is a very nicely done and very attractive saya, I have two very similar saya pattern regards John ,

Hello Walter and all, as a new member also, ( have lurked out there for a long time) I wish to say hello to all, and I will have a guess at the signature as something something kuni nobu?? regards John