Ray Singer

Before we go any further into this, I would still like to see a photograph of the mounting so that we know if we are dealing with a type 3 koshirae.

Please show photos. Type 3 gunto koshirae had two screws. Both the normal mekugi-ana and a second shinobi-ana at the bottom. Those screws are rare and desirable. If you have photos of the mounting and the screws or bolts that were previously there, please share here in the post

Yes, that is the date and this appears to be a gendaito (a traditionally made Japanese sword from that time period).

The smith is Kunitada. https://www.google.com/search?q="ikeda+Kunitada"&oq="ikeda+Kunitada"+&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRiPAjIHCAIQIRiPAtIBCDg3MDVqMWo0qAIOsAIB&client=ms-android-google&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

埋忠 = Umetada

Yoshisada saku

Kunimune. There were a number of individuals who signed with this name including Bizen Saburo Kunimune and Uda Kunimune.

Listed a high quality gendaito with special order inscription by Koshimizu Moritoshi. The blade measures 66.4cm in nagasa and is in new polish, habaki and shirasaya. $3,950 (+ shipping & PP) MORITOSHI (盛俊), Koshimizu Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Hiroshima – “Geishū-jū Sōryūshi Moritoshi” (芸州住蒼龍子盛俊), real name Koshimizu Tsukasa (越水司), gō Sōryūshi (蒼龍子), he worked as guntō smith during World War II, kihin-jōi (Akihide), First Seat at the 6th Shinsaku Nihontō Denrankai (新作日本刀展覧会, 1941)

This is an extremely nice and healthy sword. I happy to answer any questions about the blade that anyone here may have. Kind regards, Ray

The first photo is a date. Tenna ni nen hachi gatsu hi ( a day in the 8th month of 1682).

月山 - Gassan

I believe it is Kanetsugu, dated February, 1945.

Hi everyone, This will be my last print order for flashcards for now. If anyone was thinking about getting these, please message or email me directly to place an order. https://swordsofjapa...supplies/flashcards/ Mei (names) - the more commonly seen kanji used in swordsmith's mei, including examples of mei containing that the featured kanji - 152 cards Kuni (provinces) - the reading of the Japanese province names, with information about the provinces and some reference information on related schools and representative smiths - 90 cards Nengo (time periods) - the kanji for time periods from the late Heian period to the present, with reference information on each time period - 144 cards My hope with these is that everyone who uses the cards can have a better understanding of the fundamentals of reading Japanese sword inscriptions and kanteisho, and this will unlock access to Japanese language sword references. These cards are now available for $25 each plus shipping and $75 plus shipping for the complete set. Please email me at raymondsinger@gmail.com if you would like to order a set. Best regards, Ray

Unclear, perhaps a surname. Mine (三根) or Miroku (三禄) might be possible.

1. You are correct, this first purports to be by the famous Gassan smith Sadakazu 2. The second is gimei (fake inscription) of Etchu Norishige

All of your photos are upside down but this appears to be at Takayama-to blade by Masanao. https://www.google.c...rome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

This is an beautiful gendaito by Hizen Yoshitada which really shows the tradition of the Hizen Tadayoshi school in modern times. The Tadayoshi school was one of the preeminent groups of swordsmiths working during the Edo period, and maintained the high standards of quality during that time. This sword is by the gendai smith Kinoshita Yoshitada, who was a rikugun jumei tosho smith during the Showa period who won 1st seat in the 1941 shinsakuto competition. The hada is a fine ko-itame absolutely covered in ji-nie which reminds of the konuka-hada the Tadayoshi school was renowned for. The hamon is a beautifully executed suguha with deep ashi and yo (again, in the Tadayoshi style). The sword is in shirasaya with koppa-maki and has a gold foil habaki. The nakago is well signed and has been maintained in excellent condition. The Yoshitada also has an accompanying shin-gunto koshirae with smooth green saya. Mei: Hizen (no) kuni junin Yoshitada kore o tsukuru Nengo: Showa ju shichi nen ni gatsu Nagasa: 60.8cm Moto-haba: 3.2cm Sori: 1.4cm Kasane: 0.78cm $3,600 + shipping & PayPal

Noshu Seki ju Kojima Katsumasa saku https://www.google.c...1034&bih=790&dpr=2.5

I believe this is: 備州長定 - Bishu Nagasada

A Mantetsu-to. Please see below for information and examples. https://www.google.c...rome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

I believe it is Kikuhide, dated 1945

Noshu Seki ju ni ju sandai Fujiwara Kanefusa kore o saku. The nagasa (length) is below. Just unclear in the photo.

https://www.google.c...rome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

Ishihara Yoshisada. If you search here in the group you will find a number of posts on Yoshisada.

Fujiwara Kinju