Toryu2020

Mark - Thanks for those. This is what I think I see, though I have to say I am not sure about some of this; 三原住貝定守　　無銘　　　直調小鉦深き出来良工　　　長　壹尺七寸有之　　　昭和壬子年春日 Mihara ju Kai Sadamori Sugu-cho ko-gane Fukaki-deki Ryo-ko nagasa 1 shaku 7 sun kore ari Showa Mizunoe Ne toshi Shunjitsu Kai Sadamori of Mihara (mumei) suguha - tight jigane - deeply tempered - a skilled maker Length 1 shaku 7 sun (this attribution given) on a spring day in Showa (sorry I don't have the right book handy) a year of the rat Suiken (Kao) Fukunaga Suiken is perhaps the most prolific writer of books on Nihonto - a man who came up in the sword world before the war - a student of Takase Uko, (among others), founder of the NTHK, a doctor and a friend to any student of the Japanese sword - He was for many years part of the NTHK under Yoshikawa Koen, where he was an integral part of their shinsa team. Thanks for the chance to check this out, -t

Mark - Sue-Mihara is likely around Tenbun/Tensho. Toshinaga (Jumyo) on the other hand is all across the board, the shape will be the best clue to the time-period. I believe your sayagaki is by Fukunaga Suiken - if you have the time I would to love see close-ups of that sayagaki... -t

Should be available thru KENDOWORLD.com... -t

Thank you Sir! Lucky you, to have so many Ko-sori blades you can't keep the papers straight... -t

Very well, Why don't the nakago pictured on the kantei-sho and the nakago on the sword as pictured match? -t

The measurements given don't match either, Brian - are you gonna let him know? -t

KANTEI-SHO ITEM: ONE WAKIZASHI - UNSIGNED (UDA SCHOOL) We have examined the item listed at right and found it to be genuine HEISEI 2 Nen Shogatsu 29 nichi HOZON TOKEN KANTEI-SHO MUMEI (UDA) LENGTH: 1 SHAKU 1 SUN 4 BU... -T

An example of one page from a pattern book - found in a used book store... -t

FWIW - and for the benefit of those like me learning the language SU, JU, AGE (寿)　is the simplified version of the same kanji (壽)　which is also read as Kotobuki... -t

I think you have the right translation but maybe not the right kanji - I see it as 寿　JU... -t

From the Shinto Oshigata Shu, the Shodai at least did Sosho mei - Yasusada is well published, will look at other references tomorrow to see if I can find some other Sosho mei for this group of smiths... -t

Definitely Shintô - An excellent finish on the nakago and a practised hand in the signature - My reading would be Yasusada (安定) of the Edo Yasutsugu school - an important smith if indeed this is he... -t

Nice work- -t

Dear All - We have updated our website with a new FAQ page: http://www.toryu-mon.com/Toryu-Mon/FAQ.html Please share this with anyone who may be interested. If you are coming to the sword show be sure you request your hotel reservations under the "sword show" rate. Looking forward to seeing all in August... -t

Eric I stand corrected, Would agree that the hoods are an Edo-period development or would you say widely used pre-1600? Also need to correct my spelling sune not "tsune"... -t

Look closely gentlemen - Guy number one is wearing a pair of sode as kusazuri Guy two looks most authentic but his helmet is actually for fire fighting Guy three has on two pair of haidate, the second of which protects his ankles! Guy four is wearing fire fighting gear and his tsune are on sideways More likely these are townsmen posed by a European photographer, Beato perhaps? -t

Jason - Besides the comparison to the mei, look closely at the figures. Masterwork is sharp and clear down to the finest details. master carvers add hair, nails, lashes and other minute details one can only see with a loop. Muddy off center faces, and chunky armour on bodies that appear too large or too small in perspective are not signs of the best work. Sorry to say but I would keep lookin... -t

If you do not expect to bring it out for frequent viewing, then oil it and wrap in saran wrap. paper saya are fine but not climate controlled - also can be dangerous with a sharp blade - certainly have seen plenty of these but if its for storage, I say go for a simple "wrap" job... -t

Some great footage there! Now we see how all those little old ladies got their swords... -t

Terrific work. -t

ANdrew - Let us know if you get your hands on the tanto - interesting piece... -t

Might have been better looking without the inlay, FWIW I would look at later schools from Tosa... -t

Fifth Master ain't bad man, Put up some photos when you've the chance Clive old bean :D -t

There are at least 20 Nobusada listed in the Meikan, If it were me I would be looking into the Kaga group... -t

Andrew - Impossible to say whether the blade can be restored based on these photos. In hand inspection is the only way to say for sure. Not familiar with that smith so the mei may in fact be genuine. As to the mounts, Satsuma koshirae have very specific traits which are fairly easy to recognize. Many of them were of poor quality in comparison to workmanship seen elsewhere. This koshirae doesn't look to my eye to show any Satsuma traits other than the poor quality. It certainly looks like it could be from the late Edo period and contemporaneous with the rebellion but I for one would have to see more evidence before I'd agree that it was part of that event... -t