Rich S

Chris wrote - "Maybe I'm the only fool that see here a nice wabi sabi themed tsuba." Not at all, I think it is a perfect example of wabi sabi. IMHO a great, beautiful tsuba. Rich

As per Aoi Arts: "But if you check the blade more carefully,some Nagamitsu and Emura is remarkable work much better than Yasukuni blades. I think in the near future, Other Gendai blade including Emura and Nagamitsu will have nice reputation in the future and also expectation of the rising price. It will be hard to buy such kind of swords in the future." Actual URL https://www.aoijapan...katana-e-emura/ As a long time fan and collector of Nagamitsu and Emura, all I can say is that Aoi Arts is right on! Or at least I think so. Long live Emura and Nagamitsu swords. Let the flames fly. Rich

Really nice tsuba! Early Onin with all the inlay intact are pretty hard to find; at least for me. Congrats on a good find. Rich

Nice tsuba. My "guess" would be Kanayama or Akasaka. Rich

Have and find it useful. No translations that i know of. Rich

Found this on one of my knife boards: http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/b962712.pdf Must be an NCO sword. Rich

Here's a page with a few that might help. http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/origami.htm Rich

Ray - Nice tanto. Forgive an old man's senility; mine was shaduko over copper also (not brass). Rich

Ray - I had a tanto some while ago with a shakuko foil over brass habaki. Might want to see if that is the case with yours. Looks nice. Pics of the whole sword? Rich

I like #2 (Saotome/Tempo) also; #8 might also be a Saotome. None are bad; I'd be happy with any of them. Rich

Nice, I have several variations of that mei on my Nagamitsu page. http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/naga.htm Rich

There is a Ishido Teruhide (gendai) on my site. http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/teruhide.htm Rich

I think they are symbols from the Stargate locator :-) Rich

Nice example. Looks like a good blade and nice koshirae. Rich

Has anyone asked the NBTHK Sword Museum for info? Rich

IMHO, kubikiri were more likely used for bonsai and other agricultural or ceremonial chores. I've seen very well made ones (tempered,koshirae) for upper class folks and very poorly made ones also. Even though I've a page one them that relates possible use as head cutters, I doubt this was the original intent. Rich

Nice one. I've a Showa period civilian mounted Kanesane. Blade in about same condition as yours. Rich

I keep some upright and some lying flat, depending on where they fit on my bookcases. Rich

Definitely a tanto or maybe two. Or a tanto and a hunting knife ? Rich

Yes, similar to Carlo, I use a clean piece of toilet tissue (good grade :-) to remove old oil and to clean after the occasional uchigo-ing. I figure if it won't scratch my tender tush, it won't scratch my blades. So far,so good :-) Rich

Really nice statues. Rich

You all might want to check my company logo page: http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/logo/logo.htm Rich

Richard - That type of etched (?) raised work like the closeup pic I usually associate with Hoan although I don't usually think of "nunome" with Hoan. Nice tsuba but a bit of a puzzle. Rich

IMHO, I wouldn't do anything until I got a look at the tang to see if it verifies the string tag. Could be the dealer was just guessing or going on hearsay. I'd be careful. Might be a great find - then again??? Rich

Actually, I think the Admin, Mods and members have done a GREAT job in 2017. Just keeping a message board up and running takes a lot of time and effort. Thanks to all for you hard work and time. Have a great 2018! Rich