ChrisW

I don't really know much of anything about tsuba as an art, but even in its utilitarian state there is a great deal of artistic merit I think. A gem worth saving. Though it'd require a lot of work to bring back to life if possible, it looks pretty close to a relic state to me.

Nice find! Matching numbers and all.

I think its gorgeous. You're right about that thinly-executed lattice, it makes the whole thing pop.

So very jealous of anyone who possesses a traditionally made kyu-gunto! I've very much wanted one, but they always slip out of my grasp.

Though the saya is damaged, it's still serviceable. I'd have to send it out to have some cracks repaired. I could have a cast of the area made and sent out to you. If you were to make a new habaki, how much would you charge having a cast in hand?

Its the middle tsuba piece to the three-piece imperial navy sword tsuba I think.. http://www.katanacenter.com/PICTURES%20KODOGU%20Tsuba%20Menuki/TSUBA%20MENUKI%20Pictures/122%20Tsuba%20Naval%20and%20seppas/Japanese%20Imperial%20Navy%202GM%20Tsuba%20and%20seppas%20(6).JPG

Is that black painted wood or some kind of hide/leather?

Stranger things have happened. I occasionally watch that American Pickers show on the "History Channel" and they had a complete set that some guy had in his garage.

Looks just like the chromium steel blade I have.

Usually with any sort of folded steel or differential treated, forging flaws like this in the hardened steel open up more as metal from the surface is removed. The hardened steel is less malleable and more apt to open instead of close. I think the guys are right in saying its best to leave this one as is.

No, just the three kanji that translate to "Made by Takeyasu" -> "Takeyasu saku"

Thanks guys! Now I just need to dig up some information about this Takeyasu guy, information on him is somewhat sparse. Its a very pretty blade regardless!

Whatever it is, its certainly very pretty! Perhaps a very austere piece of cloisonne?

Such a beautiful matchlock! I know a guy locally that owns one, has it in his shop and its 95% complete and absolutely gorgeous but the price he asks for is a bit too high for anyone around here to seriously consider it.

Welcome to NMB! Before anyone else gets to you, be sure to put your signature up so people know how to address you! Also, if you want more input from the guys here. Make sure to orient the picture so the blade's point is towards the sky so the mei (signature) is more readable! Also, more pictures of the blade couldn't hurt. The more information, the easier it is to identify.

Hey all! I picked up this number with another katana about a week ago. After looking at ohmura (http://ohmura-study.net/212.html), I believe this to be "anti-rust gunto," the kind made with chromium alloyed steel during the wartime. I think this one is signed Takeyasu. Some measurements: Nagasa: 64.5 cm. Sori: 1.7 cm. Moto-haba: 3.3 cm. Saki-haba: 2.5 cm. Moto-gasane: 0.8 cm. Saki-gasane: 0.6 cm. Please let me know if my assumptions are correct and what the probable age is. I know he lived well after the war ended, but I don't know if he was still creating after the war. I'd love to hear anything you guys may know or can glean from the pictures! I think its a fairly gorgeous blade, despite not being made entirely traditionally! ~Chris P.S. As for the pictures, I did not take them. The seller did! There are small scratches here and there, but thankfully nothing that detracts from it seriously.

Can you show me or link me to one? I might consider one, I just want to find a way to store this blade properly. Thanks!

I am fully aware of all these facts. I am trying to find one that is slightly too small, and using my skills with handtools and fitting it myself. A wartime one would be perfect for this purpose as they are generally pretty beefy and can withstand some filing down. I am looking for one within a few MM tolerance that would be simple to fit. I know the idea of filing a habaki seems abhorrent to many of you, but simply stated: the habaki has little worth without a blade its fitted to. Go look on eBay, you can buy them by the dozens in a lot here and there. I need a proper habaki so I can use my tools and make a proper shirasaya to store this blade so it will last a few more generations hopefully. A good habaki is integral to the shirasaya doing its job well. Why a blade is ever parted from its habaki is beyond me, I can only see it being catastrophically damaged in some way as a reason for doing so. Mercy on the soul who did so to this lovely blade.

Hey all! I have a supposed Kotō-era katana for which I am searching for a fitting habaki. I need one with interior dimensions of 24.8mm at the back of the mune and ha-machi, 6.8mm wide where the shinogi lay (about 9.66mm from the munemachi.) I would prefer a silver-foiled one, but really anything decently attractive that would go with it would be great. I've attached a picture of the area below. Thanks! ~Chris

I know I'd love to see what gendaito you have up for sale.

It could very well still be black, depending on the dye or material used, black can fade out to a blue or other shades.

The nagasa is just a little over 13 inches long. So it looks to firmly be of wakizashi length.

The tsuba is restored I think, it does have spots where the age shows; on the inside of the uh.. slot(?) where the tang goes through and there are a few spots where pitting isn't hidden by whatever treatment was used on the side that faces the tsuka. As a whole, the restoration was well-done I think. Yes, one can tell its modern, but that just means it was well cared-for by the previous owner I'd say. Its just a shame they didn't also have it looked at by a polisher, but I am guessing that such a thing was out of their price range. I definitely agree, the ray skin is very clean and new-looking. I'd guess the restoration was done in the last ten years or so. I've had this piece for about three years now.

Its maddening that most of the pictures are upside down!

Hey all, This is a wakizashi I've had for some time now in terms of my collecting career (my second nihonto) and I thought I'd share it. Its a recently restored (or so I suspect) example with a signature I am unable to translate. It features a phoenix and flower motif on the fuchi/menuki/kashira and related flower motif on the tsuba. Overall blade edge length is a little over 12 inches. The hamon is rather weak due to the poor state of polish and honestly, I've no idea if it warrants such treatment. Opinions are welcome! I did attempt to dust the signature with an inert powder in an attempt to bring it out a bit more to make it easier to read. Even if the blade is nothing special, someone went to a lot of work to make the mountings nice and I appreciate the overall presentation! ~Chris P.S. I apologize for the topsy-turvy pictures, I wrestled with my camera to get the right orientation and upon uploading them here, I find that they're oriented differently anyways. Very frustrating!