Akitombo

Thanks for all the help so far, but I have a few more questions. I can understand the comments about the signiture being gimei, but it does not matter on a kozuka blade, like a katana, the signiture is the last thing one looks at. Yet, I took it for granted that little or no skill went into making these blades and it was the handle that was the star, is this wrong??? Were these blades forged, folded, etc? I can only find a little written about the sharp ends, much about the handles, any sources I can look to? Regards An even more confused David

Hi Everybody, Please could I have some help with the reading of this kozuka blade. It is the first one I've had with anything on it. I understand that it is going to be a poem, but did these blades ever get signed by the makers? Regards David

Hi John, Thankyou for the help, must get a decent Kanji book David

Hi, I have just picked up a Shin-Gunto in nice condition. Could I have a little help with the signiture please. It also has a stamp on the tang, which at first looked like the Seki stamp, but not so sure. Any help would be great. Regards David