Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini

I wonder if in the case of Gakumei the colour wouldn't be different because the rust of an Osuriage nakago bearing the mei should be much older then the part in which it's inserted in. Would they ? Anyway, A) the signature still present quite crisp border but no sign of original Yasuri (as far as I can see...) B) It is possible something has been deleted on the bottom of the nakago (image rotated, still Katanamei). If this is thrue, they better have choose orikaeshi in case of a good one.

Hi Bruno. Search for Gakumei (額銘)

“The only thing we can be sure of is that we aren't sure of anything” Oscar Wilde on Uncertainty Principle “On second thought, I'm not so sure of that” Oscar Wilde on above quote by Oscar Wilde

Matt, it's hard to know what was mounted into those scabbards. But I wholeheartly hope you'r right, cause their probable fate.

Melanie, it looks indonesian to me, but I can be wrong. Maybe the soldier served in Indonesia, surroundings areas or Philippines. Doesn't look Japanese to me. You can find a quite reliable opinion on provenance, age and (if you trust them...) value here. My 2 eurocents...

Thanks Eric. Markus have already agreed to translate further material, so hopefully we'll have either an update or, more likely, a complely new article on a new subject (and hopefully better english...).

Hi Piers. Indeed it's new, but th restoration followed the original situation of the blade, lacquer re-applied after polishing. Don't know what is idden or not...

This one has red laquer on the Kerakubi too...

Last Xmas I gave to my wife as present a bottle of Choji oil for personal use. Eretically, she refused because she still prefers Mitzouko by Guerlain... :D

"We appreciate a NihonTo the same way as we appreciate a woman. For her skin, her curves and her parfume".

In Italy we are used to say "It's an offer you can't refuse" :lol: Seriously, a nice addition to your library :

Nope, you already have too many Juyo...

Ian, I can host your armor indefinitely for free, no matter how many they are. If interested please PM me :D

Thanks goes to you, the fellow forumites that helped and the JSSUS. The Kinuko manuscript translation, sent with the last newsletter is a gem given for free and an example of what can be done with a small subscription fee by many supporters. The more the subscribers, the better for everybody. Now that Markus is back from Japan I'll ask for suggestions about Japanese polearms. Let see what turns out...

...hence everybody can see they are no more able to fence as before the fault they had to remediate with Yubitsume.

Wasn't my intention. JSSUS worths to be joined for the *other* articles, not mine... :D

Hi all. Due to available space reasons and for its continuous updating, my article "On the Origins of NihonTo" has been published only partially in the last October's JSSUS newsletter. As I've received some e-mails asking for details, I've put the entire, much larger version with bibliographic notes, list of figures and appendix on my website. It's updated with the latest additions, now spanning the entire period from the IV century C.E. to the fully developed NihonTo. Still under proofreading, it is a work-in progress meant to be continuously (hopefully?) updated. Public thanks to the fellow forumites that helped me in the work : Markus Sesko for professional translations, suggestions and material about Shoso-in swords he studied personally, Moriyama-San for help in the meaning of specific features, John A. Stuart for providing material and proofreading, Barry Hennick for having managed the publication on the JSSUS newsletter and for ongoing proofreading. The 4 files available here. If problems in opening the PDFs occur, please right-click and use the "save object as" function. Once on your HD they should work fine, otherwise feel free to contact me. Constructive criticism, suggestions, sources are welcomed at tsubame1@tin.it quoting in the object "On the origins of NihonTo - JSSUS article" For the agreements taken with the sources I've been able to contact and the fellow forumites above mentioned, no part of the work can be used for commercial purposes. Any other use admitted with credit to the original source, either me or the authors quoted in bibliographic notes. Thanks for your time.

My fault Guido. Apologizes to Lisa and you.

Mark, she might be the wife or the daugther of somebody important... Let limit us to say she's a better view than Guido or Ford (yes I'm envious for all your fun)...

Ok. Who's this participant ?

... heck ... Effectively there are types of crucible steel (wootz) that have a small "watering" (pattern), but AFAIK they are persian and not indian and this looks as noone I've seen before, and I've seen more then a few. It can be rised the exception it's possibly made from a bar of wootz/part of (indo)persian blade that has partially lost the "watering" pattern due to Yakihire process, but I don't think it's possible. I wonder about mentioned utsuri being real or rather related to Saiha. If it hadn't been sent to Shinsa it could have been said it's just all Shingane, well forged but exposed in the whole blade (that looks completely re-shaped) by too many polishes also considering the position of the original mekugiana that suggests an even wider (and larger?) blade then the wider present-day part, with pattern highligted by polish and/or photos. But this answer too doesn't completely convince me. :? . Small Persian watering for comparison :

Hi Lionel. Good blades are not for training. But this will be (hopefully) better explained by your Sensei on due time.

Lionel, please focus one moment on the fact you're wondering about purchasing a signature and not a blade. Does the blade resemble a genuine Masahide ? You can't tell and pictures are useless. Has the blade fatal flaws ? You can't tell and pictures are useless. Now add the hints already given : looks Gimei, wrong Kanji, poor mounting. And ask yourself if the "exiled emperor" story has any link with real history. Then, if you'r still eager to take the risk, buy the sword, send it to Shinsa and let us know. Best wishes.

Oh, now it's all ok. It was strange as Nelson furling down the Union Jack from Victory's main mast. :lol:

Guido, may I ask where's your avatar ?