robinalexander

John, This informatiin is from the Seidoshop.com which is a Japanese engraving shop. Sakura is Japan's floral emblem and the most loved blossom since ancient times. The Sakura mon has about 200 known variations, and yet it is an emblem that is rarely seen nowadays. Cherry blossoms represent beauty, but they are also a symbol of death because they soon wither away. Several Buddhist temples use the Sakura mon as their emblem (jimon), notably in the ancient capital of Nara. The Sakura mon was also used as a sub-emblem (kaemon) by the Hosokawa, lords of Kumamoto Domain. Rob

Bruce I haven't seen Merry Xmas Mr Lawrence for quite a few years but from memory, the habaki/saya fit on Sgt Hara's sword wasn't that great. Maybe no chuso, but I recall the blade came half way out of the saya in one tense early scene and it stayed half way out for a little longer than was comfortable.... for me anyway. I couldn't help thinking that it could have been one of those things that unfortunately occurs when shooting of a movie but, for whatever reason, the director decided to leave it in. Maybe it was not an uncommon occurrence and therefore made it more factual and realistic??? Rob

I second Neil's recommendation. Rob

Close up of sho stamp for anyones interest Rob

Hello Bruce, no unfortunately nothing on reverse side. Thanks for the tip on Stamps of the Japanese Sword I will follow that up, got to be easier than the 'stamps thread' Will have to get a another Oshigata book as well that supplements Slough's (mind you I don't want a complete library) so happy to take a recommendation on that. All the best Rob

Thanks Steve, good tips too. Will go back, revisted with your info and try (try mind you) to consolidate 😊 Rob

Ok so I have this nice Wak (suguha/combat cover) that I have tried to translate between my best friend (Mrs), the Olympics and Slough's Oshigata = 4 hours, which incidentally is nothing to this retired person....but, I have given up with no conclusive result. It appears to have a Sho stamp (but the inside dosn't look quite right???) therefore made for/during WW2 which I believe from a very reliable source, is rare for a Wak. I might start a thread on that matter as soon as I get this sorted. For my first real attempt, and I am sure a chuckle for a few members I have come up with...... No Shu Izo or Roku or Ama ????? Nin or Hachi Kane Mitsu Saku Kore So I clearly have something wrong in there 😂 ..... need some help...but feel its Kanemitsu but can't recognise that in Slough's. Thankyou in advance. Rob PS...as mentioned, I also went through the Arsenal Stamps thread and have trouble matching the exact stamp on my Wak ??

Neil beat me to 'Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence' so I will add that Clint Eastwood/Spielberg + 1, classic 'Letters From Iwo Jima. Rob

Yes Dale in the latter years of the war when raw materials began to dry up there was a concerted push by the Japanese powers that be to press family swords into service. Thats why we see some old blades in gunto mounts rather than IJA arsenal stamped blades. Also, it appears to be quite common to have a mixture of fittings (even tsuka) and more commonly civilian tsuba. Even if a late war donated/bring along sword had mixed fittings, the one thing that appears to be consistent is fitting of a leather (combat) saya cover. Agreed, I could mount in a period fit out but didnt want a project and it has a nice well fitting tsuka and I suppose most importantly, I will leave it as I found it as it does all fit well. Even with the cheap rabbit tsuba 🙁. Thanks again. Rob

Thanks Dale, I really appreciate the quick response and the time taken to fully explain what I have. If they came out, or have been around since the 50's then it's certainly not part of the swords WW2 mountings. I have to wonder what tsuba was on it originally......something nice I bet. I really wish people would just leave historical swords as they found them. Dissapointing but I'd rather be dissapointed than to be under any false illusions about it historical worth. Thanks again Rob

Hello Tsuba experts, I have absolutely no knowledge or experience with tsuba's and am therefore throwing myself on the mercy of the court. The attached tsuba is attached to an early Edo or late Koto blade with a very genuine WW2 tsuka and combat cover saya. The tsuba could be original or it could have been swapped by the middleman/dealer who bought it from the vets family. The mounts were pretty nicely tight when I bought it. As I said,,I have no idea about tsubas but on a quick search I found lots of comments about rabbit or bunny tsuba (no idea what thats about). Specifically, what I dont like about this tsuba on an old WW2 blade is (what looks like) a really badly cast mimi and generally, the 'new look'. I have no idea about anything else. Looking fwd to any comments and happy to provide any further pics if required. NB...its actually a pewter colour but I used a halogen light in order to get better resolution so it turned it a little orange.ish. Thanks Rob Rob

Sorry Bruce, no truthful story in that really.... I can still give a 'high five' (with each hand 😊). Your words "and you can feel, as you slide an oiling cloth or paper towel along the blade" very much reminded me of what goes through my head every time I carry out that manoeuvre when cleaning/oiling my sharper blades. A clean swipe from habaki to kissaki has that sobering effect on me. Many years ago when I first developed an interest WW2 swords (c2018 😂) I remember reading an article wherein the author said something along the lines of ...'if your intending to collect Japanese swords then at some point they will cut you'. Too true in my case and in fact have done that twice. Not serious in any respect and definitely not due to tomfoolery or inebriation but simple over familiarity (is that the same as neglect?). Something strangly spiritual about being cut by a Teruhide or is it simply the result of a lack of concentration? But thanks for your concern although the actual loss of 4 digits would have made for a much grander Teruhide encounter. All the best Rob PS ....Maybe a new thread could be started, reading something along the lines of a butchers sandwich board...... "Best Cuts this Week" 😂

Agree Bruce, but I have also felt 'the wobbles' in far superior blades...or, at least I did, when I had four fingers 😂 Rob

Thanks Geraint appreciate the enlightenment..I really should have thought of that 😮 it all adds up. Cheers Rob

Ciro the blade looks really nice to me. The nakago however looks 'odd' even a bit new? Looks quite solid with quite pronounce 'clean' edges (like a piece of bar steel) the nakago-jiri also looks wide, cleanly cut and angular. The mekugi holes appear largish and clean. Dont wish to be negative and you should not read too much into my observations because I dont have the experience other members. Did anyone else notice these things or are they quite normal? Rob

Looks like successful bidder actually paid 550,000 Yen.....around US $5K.....blows me away. Might hold ontk the 95's until Japan relaxes it's import laws a little 😉 Rob

Must have missed something....what did it sell for? Rob

Geoff, I am also under the impression that, unless exceptional, they shouldn't sell for more than $900 - $1200 (at very best) ......but I'm talking AUD. Rob

And a couple more minor variations in castings.

Chris is correct Greg, you will struggle at that price unless you want to search, wait and then get really lucky. Be carefull buying something around that price (or for less), lots of good fakes, replicas and "fantasy" swords out there for not much money. If you happen to come across something that meets your current criteria then you could just run it past NMB members before hand (if you can) because I am sure you will get honest opinions (still only opinions though). Rob

I agree with Bruce appears to be a nice honest example from the photos. Interesting 'W O' scratched into the habaki, you have to wonder if that is period (i.e. adding interest/story?) or post war scratching made by a previous owner (?) Rob

I dont see a problem with members providing their own personal opinion on what they think a value (range or specific) could be. For most, pricing is a big part of collecting and I cant believe one members opinion could be construed as being the 'collective opinion of the Board'. This type of information is particularly helpful for new collectors and members. Having said that, the NMB should not be a general pricing sounding board for commercial gain ...like everything these days (unfortunately), the provision of this 'information or opinion' just needs to be balanced and provided in the good faith by the member on a case by case basis, if they choose to do so. Just my view. Rob

Hi Volker, For me, this is a very nice complete package and der hamon sehr schon. 👍

PS....the blade is measured from the tip to the mune-machi which is the small notch in the back of the blade (not the cutting edge) down nearer the tsuka (handle)

Hi Glen, Yep, what John said above. You pics are all very good in terms of subject matter but in order to get some honest opinions from those more knowledgeable, they will definately need to be clearer and maybe larger. Especially, the mei (kanji) on the nakago. Are you sure the blade itself is 85 cms (33.5 inches)? Nice hamon. Rob