Toryu2020

OK here's mine - early 1800s Swordmaker Manzai Tsugumitsu. A little light in an otherwise dreary winter... -t

I am sure folks would love to see pictures of the blade. This is a well regarded school, you may have a very nice inheritance there... -t

Mike definitely knows his stuff... -t

Please ask the seller for the dimensions - I promise you this is no more than 50 cm high...

I hope you know this is a Boys Day item... -t

Ik denk dat met de beschikbaarheid van vrije en bekwame vertaalsoftware er geen behoefte is aan een regel die zich beperkt tot berichten die alleen in het Engels zijn. -t

My advice is to study valid examples, not gimei... -t

Greg - Thank kind of chippy disparate signature is more indicative of the Showa era, also a time when big names were put on blades to bolster the spirits of young men going off to war... -t

There is a translation... http://www.ncjsc.org/ncjsc_publications.htm -t

If you're concerned the blade has been switched ask the seller for exact measurements do these then match what is listed on the saya? -t

I'd be inclined toward 重氏 Shigeuji... -t

Try here... https://emuseum.nich.go.jp/detail?langId=ja&webView=&content_base_id=100189&content_part_id=0&content_pict_id=0 -t

I mean people buy tons of the crap coming out of China, why not just tell people "these are fakes BUT they're Japanese " -t

Kuyomon were used by many families - here are the kuyomon of the Hosokawa and Date respectively...

Right you are Barry - it was the modern look to the menuki that struck me right away. Here are the backs -

nfs - Kogai-naoshi Fuchi most likely by a later artist...

more pics

More pics

nfs - Sorry to tease! Papered to Ko-Goto published in the Mitokoromono book

I prefer kakejiku of oshigata or sometimes Japanese castles... -t

Date' family as in Date' Masamune the patrons of the Kunikane line... -t

Bruce - That is a Kuyo mon used by many families... -t

1. Is the work presented as a "whole" - if Shinto, do the shape, jigane and hamon all present this idea - is the work of the smith consistent from end to end or does one feature look off, out of place, weak or too conspicuous? 2. Jigane - the differences, the qualities. Also polish - what makes a good polish. What are the different styles and how do they present the work in different ways. 3. I would want to know where did the Soshu smiths get their satetsu and how did the Bizen smiths create utsuri and what was the thinking behind it... -t

The name given in the tameshi mei appears to be Nagai Jirokichi Munenao - 永井　治郎吉　宗直 - I don't think there is a shogun connection here. -t

Little Generals - once had a photo of a little Admiral, little General and a little nurse all together in a shot from Yasukuni I believe it was. Would love to find that photo again...