ChuckJ

Check this video out by my friend Walter Sorrels on his YouTube Channel, Walter cuts through the BS. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvNd-tB8tVI

Hello Guys, What are these Menuki? I've seen these type before but I don't have a clue as to what they are. Chuck

Stephen, I am so sorry for your situation with family and needing to part with things which you've spent a lot of money for because you knew the value. I too, have wrestled with having to try and sell things which not only were worth more than I purchased them for but meant something to me when I bought them. At this point in my life, I've realized I have to let them go (I have regrets) for whatever reason or keep them. There is no "how big a loss should I take" answer, it depends on the emergency at hand AND if the money offered for the item actually helps you. When in a better position material things can always be replaced and with something better. Nothing, is really an investment you should expect a return on and in most cases just breaking even is a blessing. I truly wish the best for you and your family Sir. Chuck

Steve, I thank you for your time Sir. I don't know it to be possible for the flag to find it's way home. Howerver, I appreciate you kind help. Best wishes, Chuck

Hey Guys! I posted this topic in the general room and it was suggested I post it here by another member http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/30706-help-with-translation-of-good-luck-flag-mei/ Just called my brother and he remembers where the flag came from, he bought it from the Granddaughter of a service man. We are getting his name, branch of service and where he was deployed. We are in hopes the Obon Society can find the family and return the flag with the information. We would like to be able to know what is written on the flag and I can think of no better place to ask for help. Thank you, Chuck

I understand what you are saying and did not think of it in that manner. Post Edit: However, after reading on the topic I found this website http://obonsociety.org There are letters of endorsement even from the PM Shinzo Abe endorsing the return of items. http://obonsociety.org/why-it-is-important/

Hello Everyone! Not sure if this is the correct place to ask about this item but I didn't see a better more specific room to post. My brother, gave me this Good Luck Flag for Christmas which he has owned for many years. It would be nice if someone could translate the writing. Also, I read where items like this can be returned to the families of the soldier, any idea how to go about it? Thanks, Chuck

Pictures of the koshirea I assembled for my Katana which is being completed by Randy Black! The Katana is a nice 1655 Musahi Muneharu blade with NBTHK Hozon papers from 2012, the Tsuba is also with papers. The Kozuka, matches so well it was decided to place it with the mounting. I hope you enjoy the koshirea pictures. Once, the katana is back from mounting by Randy I'll post the pics!

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Greg, I will look him up an Ebay! Thank you, Chuck

Hi Greg, I don't know where to find real armor that will fit me due to I'm a bit over 6' tall, also a decent set of real armor is very expensive. If you guys can point me to a dealer or reputable individual I would appreciate it! I don't have the contacts or know where to even start to obtain a real set. Thank you for your reply! Chuck

Hello Everyone, In your opinion, who makes the best replica armor without spending a lot of money which for me being $3500ish. I have an older replica set of O-Yoroi armor which is nicely done and somewhat heavy in the 45lbs range. However, is anyone making nice/decent armor that is at least close to being authentic/correct armor presently? I've seen several companies on the internet such as Iron Mountain and a few others but I'm hoping you guys can recommend a good vendor without spending $10K LOL! Thanks, Chuck

Ken, I thank you for responding, would you need to see more pictures and if so, what angles or particular areas of the blade would help you? I'm interested in only keeping this blade and not flipping/selling it. I apologize for the iPhone X pictures as it is distorting colors and making them super bright, the nakago is very dark and not rust red.

Hello Everyone, I am posting some pictures of my Kanemitsu Wakizashi which SteveM suggested to continue my research on the blade concerning it's Era. It's apparent due to the kind feedback from members on this board you are all enthusiastic about Nihonto and are graciously willing to help others and build your own skills in examining different blades. It's very difficult to capture pictures of the blade as they don't show how it actually looks in person! So, I did the best I could and hope you will see what you need to help dial in the blades age Hada and Homon! Thank you, Chuck

Steve and Raymond! Thank you both for the wonderful and informing replies! I appreciate you time and help as I could not obtain it anywhere else! Again, Thank you both! Chuck

Hello Everyone, I recently purchased an old Wakizashi in mounts which has a signed Kozuka blade and Tsuba . The reason for the post is to hopefully have another opinion on the translation. The nakago, is very dark the iPhone lightened it to a bright rust color. Thank you, Chuck

Thank you so much for the kind words! It took a long wait to find the "right" pieces! But, like it was written in several earlier responses, basically that you will know and not be happy if you don't take your time and collect the real koshirea. Chuck

Don't do re-pro's if you are mounting a Nihonto, you'll be glad you didn't in the long run. Take your time to acquire the real koshirea and select the pieces for your katana theme which come close to the time period or matching the patina's. I am getting a katana mounted it's a 1655 blade and it has taken me along time to put the koshirea together, I know it's going to turn out wonderfully when Randy Black is done. The menuki were the HARDEST items to find as I knew what I wanted and just had to wait until they came to me. Do not be impatient or you'll regret your decision. Here is a pic of my koshirea for the katana, it took a long while to get it all together (I actually gave up on the menuki and was going to do re-pro's but stopped myself) and some pieces are papered.

Uwe-San! With your wonderful help here is what I have discovered!! One of these two as perfect Mei match the Wakizashi: Noriyuki 2nd Gen, Jokyu 1684-1688 Bungo Takada-ju Fujiwara Noriyuki Civilian Name: Abe Chojiro Noriyuki 3rd Gen, Genroku 1688-1704 Bungo Takada Fujiwara Noriyuki Civilian Name: Abe Matajiro The source used to compare the Mei...The last four characters of both Mei match the Mei on my Wakizashi's Nagato https://books.google.com/books?id=ik-E8G6FMQsC&pg=PA78&lpg=PA78&dq=Noriyuki+Fujiwara+Takada+school&source=bl&ots=eqBuWYFcvQ&sig=ACfU3U1CL6iGK3gYFupHQdhRU-S7muO39g&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwibg4T93uzlAhWBUt8KHbzcDQIQ6AEwBHoECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=Noriyuki%20Fujiwara%20Takada%20school&f=false Please feel free to add your opinion to what I found...Or anyone reading this post I would like to know what you think about this info. Thank you, Chuck

Uwe-San, I thank you so much for the fast reply, it was very kind of you! Thank you Sir! Chuck

Hello Everyone! I have acquired a nice Wakizashi from a friend that we were both interested in and he was able to buy it at the time. He has since purchased a very old and nice mounted Wakizashi from the mid Muromachi Era. Long story short I now have to the Wakizashi we were both wanting to buy earlier this year (he need to get some funds back). Could someone please help translate the Mei so I can dig deeper into the birth of this blade. I will post a picture of the Mei as it appears on the Nagato and a NBTHK paper with what appears to be the same Mei. The NBTHK paper is NOT this blade it is for Mei comparison. Any help would be so much appreciated! Chuck