MHC

Usagiya Sword shop and Namikawa Heibei supplies both have told me that I need to wait until Japan Post re-opens before they can ship, even then no control on delivery time. For what that's worth. I have asked them about EMS, UPS, DHL, Sea freight and Japan ground freight......the answer has been the same for all. I have sent both of them an email request to use FedEx, we will see what they have to say. Mark

I just tried to buy 2 items from Japan yesterday, from 2 separate places....both told me that the Japan Post airmail is essentially closed (I verified this as such on line as well, current info as of 7/3/2020). Very limited airmail, to very limited countries, with long and unreliable ship dates. The backlog of parcels needing to leave Japan is apparently very large, causing further delays and adding to the uncertainty. Even sea freight shipping, they claim 1-4 months delivery time depending on destination.....ouch! Exact same info from both parties, so it would appear we all get to wait for Japan Post to re-open service, then clear the backlog, then maybe they'll get back on an even keel. Mark

Hello JT, This may or may not be helpful to you. I recently purchased a sword product (Shirasaya wood) from a seller in Japan, he also told me about the postal system freeze. However, he shipped my purchase via DHL airmail, shipped on 6-19-2020 and arrived at my house in the US on 6-23-2020 without a hitch. Any attempted use of the Japanese Postal service will be a guaranty of it being halted for the foreseeable future, maybe see if AOI will try to use DHL. Worth a shot! Mark

No Andrew not upset at all, sorry it came across that way to you. My comment was simply based on a learned historical observation, from 45 years of collecting knives, guns, classic cars and antique furniture. It has been my experience that old things past down thru the families over the years usually fall into 2 categories, 1. Cherished and coveted and eagerly eyed by each new generation {few and far between}. 2. Casually left by the wayside by the original owner, until someone in the family tree finally comes into possession of it, and thinks it has value to sell {most cases}. However, I hope you fall into a more obscure category, of the one that never knew of the object, and is now fascinated enough to cherish and protect it for the next generation to come. For what it's worth, beware of "past down family stories" most prove to be somewhat elaborated upon, hints around the edges of facts maybe, but that's generally as close as they get. Mark

I don't think $2000 would even scratch(no pun intended) the surface for the needed restoration cost that this particular sword needs. It could probably be saved from it's current condition, but not for much longer. I humbly offered to purchase the sword as big gamble "work-in-progress" project sword....but never heard a peep from the gentleman. So unfortunately I'm afraid this sword will be put away in a box/closet/attic and forgotten about until it deteriorates to the point of being hopeless and valueless. It's a shame really, I would at least have given it some much needed attention. Mark :{

Love to see complete pictures of the entire sword and Koshirae, really cool kashira. The damage to the Tsuba has distinct correlational to bullet/shell rifling marks but just a WAG, so.....? Mark

Hello all, It seems to me that the signature/cutting test should have the same amount of aged rust accumulation as the rest of the Nakago, but it distinctly looks like it was chiseled over top of existing aged rust? Maybe just the lighting in the pictures, but the edges of the signature/cutting test seem way too crisp compared to the surrounding area. Maybe dust accumulated in the actual signature/cutting test chisel marks is throwing off my perspective? Mark

Well that is all very, very interesting. It is almost comical the correlations between ancient Japan's attempt to control weapons, as is today's firearm restriction attempts in America. Funny thing that...a short sword kills you just as good as a long one, and a 6 rnd. pistol does the same as a 10+ rnd. pistol...net gain zero. Maybe I should invest in shorter bullets..... ;}. Thanks for all the great info guys, it appears that I need to invest in more books! Mark

Hello Grey, Thanks for the reasonable explanation, that makes sense. This is a bit of a wild all encompassing question but, how often did this happen with old swords that are either "too long for the fashion of the day", change in fighting styles or damaged in battle? By the by, still love the Tsuba a bought from you, I paired it with a complimentary Fuchi/Kashira, should look good once the full Koshirae is completed. Mark

Inquisitive ponder of the day... I get a blade being shortened via a shorter Nagasa, or even to some degree a shortened Nakago. Please explain to me how one could have shorten the Nakago and move the original Habaki location, but show no sign of the past polishing in the area where the Habaki was originally? Additionally in the event of a new Mekugi ana being placed further up the blade, implies the Tsuka was re-positioned as well, further adding to the "what happened to the previous polished area? Mark

Comment moved to "new topic". Mark

Nice score, I too tried to buy this sword from Clay...but you beat me too it....sighhh.

And the learning begins....... :} I'm retiring to Thailand shortly, and have already found several sites from there, dealing with Arms and Armour of southeast Asia. So what I really want to know is.....who greased this slippery slope before I got here??.......As it appears, once started down this slope, there is no real stopping is there! Thanks. Mark

Great, does anybody have more info on this smith? Would love to know more!

Thanks guys, I had no intention of trying to impress anyone with the pic.'s. My knowledge level of Nihoto is shamefully low....I just got lucky with the purchase. I will learn more as time goes by. I have paper on the Tsuba and the Fuchi/kashira, but not the blade. I had 2 people give me translations{the seller and a Japanese friend} and both gave slightly different versions of the smiths name...so?? At least the date was consistent at August 1692 from what is now Shikoku Island. Mark

Hello all, I showed my so-so 1945 type 98 Shin-Gunto blade over on the military sword section. So I figured I had better show my first acquisition, and my first view down the rabbit hole that is Nihonto collecting. These things are hard to photograph, so bare with me as I'm trying to get the hang of it. I think I need a better Macro lens, and I should have wiped the slight oil film off the blade before attempting pictures, sorry about that. The polish is actually a fresh Japanese polish. The Tsuba and the Fuchi/Kashira I just picked up over the last few weeks. I think they will make for a nice Koshirae once I complete it. They are not matched, but seem to compliment each other. Mark

Removed my commentary, as on second thought, it did not pertain directly to Nihonto. Mark

Hello Dave, The curvature of both the Tsuka and the Saya match the blade exactly. Despite the apparent mix-n-match Seppa's, once stacked up and all installed, the mounts are nice and tight. So if it was not an "end of war" thrown together affair, whom ever arranged the pieces, they at least got the fit right. I think in the end here, the mystery of the parts-n-pieces really does not matter, it appears all WWII stuff, it all fits, and is a great wall hanger. I plan to keep it just as it is, and would only part with it if I could use it as a stepping stone toward an earlier (pre-1700's) Katana. Mark

Ok guys, The Tsuka fits very tight. The Seppa's are a mix-n-match assortment for sure. I think the Tsuka and Saya and the blade, are original to each other, simply judging by their fit to one another and the even amount of patina. The end of the of Nakago is as aged as the rest of it, and appears for all intents and purposes, to be as it was leaving the factory. The leather is NOT as nice as it appears in the photos, the stitching is missing on the top, and the leather has tears at the front of the Ashi location, running down each side. Otherwise, no history at all on it, I bought it at a happy crap (antique) store long ago. I have always suspected it is Frankensword, at least to some degree. However, when it comes to Japanese swords,........I know just enough to be real dangerous and not one once of knowledge more! Mark

Hello Bruce, Thanks for your insight. I'm really not in the market to sell, just looking for info. I just picked up a nice signed/date 1692 Wakizashi, so I'm more in the acquisition stage of the hobby, not the selling stage. And the "g" is a trick of the eye. If humans stare at anything long enough they'll see Christ on a cookie! Mark

I failed to state that in the picture, last row, third from the left side, you can barely make out a teeny-tiny stamp that appears to be a "Seki" stamp. It is about a 1/2" above and 1/4" to the right of the hole. Thanks again. Mark

Hello all, I've had this Shin-Gunto mounted Katana kicking around for a long time now. Frankly i do not even remember what i paid for it, somewhere around 20 years ago +/-. The inscription states "Showa 1945 January" & "trust & light" or something along those lines. I assume it's a machine made blade since no Hamon, grain or anything. Simply a wall hanger, but i'd still like to know the current value, for my own edification. Anyway I've attached probably way too many photos of it, for all to see. Thanks for any input. Mark

Hello Krystian, I sent you a pm. Mark

Hello all, Simply just joined up, new to the Japanese sword ownership club......not new to the allure. Bought a nice starter Wak in Shira-saya recently, diving head first into the rabbit hole or as the Porsche folks say, "sliding down the slippery slope". Thanks for having me! Mark

I know this is an old post, but I'm new to the forum. Is #12 still available? If so, what is the current asking price price? What is the opening size for the blade? Thank you. Mark