waljamada

The only thing about this variation that bucks the standard Rinji trend to me is that it uses some materials that they were switching out due to supply at that point. Brass on the tsuka and aluminum for the seppa.

Yes, a double yama. I'm gonna call this sword the "Two Mountain".

I've had this Rinji (type 3) gunto for a while signed by Torio Hiromasa dated 1943. I've read this kind of type 3 koshirae with some brass fittings was a prototype via Ohmura's site and other random places on the internet but also heard that they are simply a variation of the Type 3. Perhaps they were made early in manufacturing of the type 3...or perhaps throughout Type 3 production as an available option? I read in the Type 3 Timeline forum that the Rinji model was thought up by 1941 and not kicked into full roll out until 1943. I also read that blades dated early as 1941 in Rinji Type 3's (could have just used an older blade in a rinji koshirae though) in Bruce Pennington's records. To me the Torio Hiromasa being a 1943 blade could potentially lean away from being a prototype as it's much closer to the 1943 roll out period than the 1941/42 "mock up" periods. I bought mine thinking it was just a variation. Wondering if anyone knows the consensus on these or perhaps seen or come across any other information? First pics are of my Hiromasa and second sword is from a listing a long time ago for a Nagamitsu with type 98 tsuba, likely re-wrapped tsuba and the fittings do look a bit more like painted rather than brass. Last one is from an NMB post in 2013 where it was said it's a variation rather than from a prototype production round. Thanks in advance for any insights!

1 - What is the "theme" of your collection ? (expl : gokaden ? That one smith ? That era ? Horimono-maniac ? etc..) I aim for a theme of a little nihonto trip/gallery through time and traits up to the end of WW2. A gallery of blades (my oldest is still only from the 1400's) and the art not only of a forging of blades but aspects of bohi/sohi/bonji/horimono/naginata-hi/o-kissaki/tachi (really want a kogarasu maru) etc...I dont have a certain smith (closest thing i had towards wanting a specific smith was Miyamoto Kanenori), smith line or school I am fully drawn to (if i had to pick a school it might be Tegai). So I'm good with any schools across the board. I for sure paint with very broad strokes in my collection because if I felt I needed examples of all hada and hamon types etc...I'd die poor and alone in a house made of swords. 2 - What is the "aim" of your collection ? (expl : one of each type ? The one sword ? As much as possible ? etc...) I do believe I aim for something more akin to the spirit of "one of each kind". I feel satisfied if I have a single example within a category of nihonto that I want represented in my collection. So the aim is to piece together my collection to display the greatest experience of that "time and traits" theme of Nihonto I possibly can within the means I am willing to invest. 3 - What is the "border" of your collection ? (expl : only papered ? Not less than Jumyo ? Only tanto ? Always koshirae ? etc...) Always prefer papered but not necessary depending on the blade... so no hard paper rule/border. Do want katana length (but can be fine with a 23" nagasa...22" would be the shortest I'd want). Prefer shirasaya but there really is nothing like having a blade in a great koshirae and wouldn't want a collection of all blades in only shirasaya. Don't want to buy project blades; so could be said good/great condition is a hard border of mine...but would 100% take a gamble on one that seemed very special. Only have one Toku Hozon blade and I'm satisfied with that as the prices tend to surpass my comfort zone per item (but if one finds me in my ranges then great). I doubt I will ever own a Juyo blade. I also have a self imposed border of only wanting to have up to 14 swords in my entire collection. Anymore would be too much for me time wise, space wise, responsibility wise and everything in between. 4 - What is your "behaviour" in collecting ? (expl : buying - learning - selling ? Making a museum-room at home ? Stocking until not knowing where to put them ? etc...) My behavior so far was to get to 14 blades and then "refine". I needed to see, study and really take in some blades when I was starting out. I didn't know anyone with any nihonto so I could only see what I purchased myself. Then I sell/sold the ones that didn't/don't end up exciting me to own over time. Now I stick to the "if I buy one I sell one" rule which will always force me to continue refining/upgrading.... however if over time I discover I really need 16 blades to fulfill my personal desired "nihonto trip through time and traits" gallery then that's how many it shall be. But I'll stick to the rule of 14 for many years to come. 5 - What is your "purpose" in collecting ? (expl : knowledge ? Community membership ? Investment ? Pure appreciation ? etc...) My purpose is to admire and caretake a small corner of nihonto while using it as a base of learning and reflection of what I learn to appreciate that I can hold in my hands. My purpose I guess is accumulate evidence of my nihonto journey while studying the things/pieces closest to me then branching off from there to see where that leads...then keep going...and going... while always returning to reflect what I've learned on my own collection.. I intend to keep going at a sauntering pace with occasional bursts probably my whole life (42 currently). So it's a purpose loop of: collection inspires study, study hones collection...round and around....I also really enjoy sharing about nihonto when the opportunity arises so the purpose/aim of the nihonto "time and traits" tour is a way I love to share it. I do try and spread those nihonto seeds where possible! Financially I don't look at it as a full fledged investment (which I know it can be) but at minimum I don't want to (and actively try to avoid) ever having to sell blades for less than I paid. So far I've made relatively small amounts on every blade I've sold and aim for that trend to continue and ideally increase over time if I chose blades wisely. 6 - At what stage are you ? (expl : starting ? Achieved or nearly achieved ? evolving ? etc...) I'd say out of 11 stages to nihonto mastery I'm at stage 2.3 tops. Know a small bit now, seen a good small bit, know a good bit of the lay of the land, know the optimal routes to take but only got through the easy fun starting bits of the journey....the route ahead is long and trying...requires diligence, sustained curiosity, more focus on details, purposeful/active study...but the path will have intriguing vistas along the way. I also think a guide who becomes a friend, or just friends on the journey together makes it all the better. I can admit though that I will never be a master at kantei or anything like that. I will probably be (and to a certain extent already can) able to tell good stories/lessons about certain smiths, schools, forging techniques, historical aspects etc...but I know myself and my priorities. For an example, I can still speak Japanese conversationally (even though its rough) but I really can't read much more than hiragana, katakana and probably only around 100 kanji tops after so many years of forgetting. I know I personally would rather master the Japanese language than Nihonto. Plus I have probably too many hobbies/interests. I'll probably cap out in nihonto as an decently nihonto educated enthusiast. A lively Nihonto uncle that would be great fun to get tipsy with and wax poetic on Nihonto.

Hi Shogun, Thank you. I did see that post and I read from that thread that they weren't fully sure of the translation so hoping to get a definitive translation if possible. So far I've gotten "it might say" such as made for Tsukahara and also the cut by Tsukahara from the thread. I still feel like I can't fully write down on my tag for the blade exactly what's written on the nakago.

Hi All, Would greatly appreciate if someone could help with a translation of this nakago. I know it is signed by Mino Seki Fujiwara Kanetoki but unsure of the rest. I also know it is dated Last day of March 1935. To add some more difficulty a mekugi ana was drilled through a kanji. I took a picture for each of the "sections". Thank you greatly in advance for any assistance.

Rivkin, Thanks for the insight, looking up Fujishima Kaga I can't help but agree and see why you would think so. Makes more sense! This has no papers, so everything is up the the eyes of us enthusiasts. Chris W, I'll for sure stop by! Have enough in my collection now that I might even be able to trade towards a new blade. This blade does have some charms. Was hoping it would fit a specific koshirae I have as well and came so very close, but no cigar!

Hey All, This is my most recent addition to the collection. It is a shortened tachi that has lived a life. I bought this one off the back of tossing a much lower offer than asking price I didn't think would be accepted....but was. It originally did catch my interest for a few reasons, one was the title of the listing: "Samurai O'Suriage Tachi Ayasugi/Masame Hada in Shirasaya circa 1450's Gassan". Ayasugi hada is simply beautiful and the science/technique behind it's creation is intriguing/impressive....plus I don't have anything from the Gassan school. The pictures from the listing showed some aspects that could make the listing title accurate (I do think it's muromachi era) but personally I didn't really see the Gassan. The other reason is I have found myself having a strong side interest in the different forms of swords. This one has a solid sori and was (ato-bori yet still most interesting to me) altered with the naginata hi and therefore thinned out along the mune to make it a very light and nimble blade that could easily be wielded with one hand. Once it arrived and I got it in hand my first reaction was actually to be a bit disappointed. It had a few more condition issues than I hoped and the "Gassan" aspects were to my eye only in some isolated areas. It appears to me more happenstance than skilled/purposeful results from a Gassan swordsmith wielding metallurgy. So in the end I just don't see enough for me to think Gassan or ayasugi hada. Gonna use this blade along with the Nihonto books I've been chugging through to peg some of its activities/features, which I will say, the blade does offer some neat things to look at especially in good light. This one will also be my last, "give it the ol' go" eBay Nihonto purchase. I'm going to stick to collector to collector, reputable dealers and sword shows going forward focusing on quality. I also ran out of katana-kake spaces.... Here is the description of the blade from the listing: A rare mid 15th century Samurai O'suriage tachi in shirasaya. Nagasa is 59.9 cm and sori is 2.3 cm displaying a deep curvature. Hada is ayasugi/masame which disappeared from swords after the Koto period. This has been polished many times but there is still considerable life in the blade. I photographed this in low light to accentuate the grain (hada) and the flash exaggerates the grain on the shinogi. It does not show like this in hand. Ayasugi/masame swords are masterpieces of forging and much more work was invested in these than other types of Nihonto. Possibly Gassan school. This is the lightest Samurai long sword I have ever owned. A very light 365 grams, that's 0.80 lbs. It is absolutely a one handed sword and handles like a feather as it is an extremely thin blade. Shirasaya is older and very nice. Sword is healthy in older polish. I recieved a question earlier and will clarify that the ayasugi is on the ji. The shinogi is masame So feel free to share any thoughts on this little blade I didn't actually think I'd own...until I did. Here are some lackluster pictures of the blade (some I took and some from listing) and a video I took of it:

I was like 35, and I'm 42 now. Started with wanting a parade sword from ww2 and then noticed a guy selling some actual gunto was located in a nearby city which lead to me buying my first gunto with a shinto period mumei blade that has some issues but was still nice enough to appreciate. A quote of mine st the tome that is held against me was "just owning one is enough for me." 12 or so nihonto later they are famous last words and ended up being a total lie. Here's that first blade that set me down the nihonto path.

I've benefited greatly from this site, it's members and your efforts. Another new gold member here!

Well, let me bring a bit of an off beat horimono example with my only Dragon which has a bit of an artistic depiction and isn't considered very high quality work. Most of the dragon is supposed to be hidden by clouds and the horimono actually goes over the mune and continues on the other side of the blade but for some reason I can't find a photo of that on my phone but you can see it in the video link. This blade's horimono are ato-bori most likely modern horimono and there's also a tiger horimono lower down on the blade therefore I've dubbed this blade crouching tiger hidden dragon. Then here's a video I took of the blade: https://youtu.be/3tn...?si=FHb1GcFV10B-A2C5

Here's an interesting blade imo. Pertains to be a 15th century possibly gassan school tachi. Here is the description: A rare mid 15th century Samurai O'suriage tachi in shirasaya. Nagasa is 59.9 cm and sori is 2.3 cm displaying a deep curvature. Hada is ayasugi/masame which disappeared from swords after the Koto period. This has been polished many times but there is still considerable life in the blade. I photographed this in low light to accentuate the grain (hada) and the flash exaggerates the grain on the shinogi.It does not show like this in hand. Ayasugi/masame swords are masterpieces of forging and much more work was invested in these than other types of Nihonto. Possibly Gassan school. This is the lightest Samurai long sword I have ever owned. A very light 365 grams, that's 0.80 lbs. It is absolutely a one handed sword and handles like a feather as it is an extremely thin blade. Shirasaya is older and very nice. Sword is healthy in older polish. I recieved a question earlier and will clarify that the ayasugi is on the ji. The shinogi is masame.

This youtuber actually makes some really great videos. He has a lot of viseos that showcas individual blades giving them a good context and historical framing. He is really consistent in releasing videos as well. Solid channel!

I actually started taking detailed pictures down my blades when I first get them. I do this because as I spend time with them, take them out for cleaning etc...I'll notice small cosmetic things on occasion and I go back to those original "document" photos to see if they were there originally or not. I literally do this because of that guilt and also to prevent me feeling that guilt when I discover it was indeed there all along....so far every "flaw" I've found I was able to see in the original pictures...except the first time I noticed one before I started taking the pictures. I'll forever wonder if I did indeed cause that first flaw and I'd be lying if I said it didn't bother me. I don't lose sleep over it but if I see it...it's there. This guilt also does have the beneficial side effect of making me more diligent in my care.

I'm glad this came up. I used rice glue to put a split shirasaya back together but now it's a bit too tight for the blade. I knew the best fix would be to re-split it and then reglue and not use clamps this time to hold it together while it dries to give that little bit of extra room. I've just been displaying the blade in a glass case out of shirasaya in the meantime. Below is the blade and shirasaya just because.