DTM72

Judging by the patina on the nakago and the 2 mekugi-ana, I would say it pre-dates WWII and is traditionally made.

吉 = yoshi 次 = tsugu https://nihontoclub.com/view/smiths/list?id_op=%3D&id=&name_op=starts&name=yoshitsugu&kanji_op=%3D&kanji=&province=All&start_era=All&school_nid=All ^^^ alot of Yoshitsugu to pick from ^^^^ Not sure which yours could be.

Chris, Maybe you and some of the other members could have an impromptu meeting at the Show of Shows in Louisville, KY on Feb 23 - 25. Would enjoy meeting you and the others. Many from the Las Vegas show will be at this show as well. Would enjoy networking all of us together. http://www.sosovms.com/Show_of_Shows/ Dan

Do you have an idea why there would be three names?

東 = Toh = Eastern 都 = to = Capitol 継 = Tsugu 平 = Hira Correct?

I was his table mate. I was very lucky to have shared a table with him.

I agree. Etchu has nothing to do with Toto. It was the only thing that looked somewhat the same.

And I completely forgot about these four. A place in Tokyo? 東都 = Toh = Eastern 都 = to = Capitol ? = ? ? = ? 越中 Etchu ?

So Masatsugu and Munetsugu with the two different ways of writing tsugu? @SteveM

One last piece to this puzzle. The kanji that looks like MICHI 道 but is different. The parts on the left look the same but the parts on the inside are different. To me Michi looks like a person pushing a pallet jack with a stack of pallets and a see-saw on top. The character that is giving me trouble is the person pushing the pallet jack, but has a stick figure wearing a dress. Like Mori 林 is two sticks wearing dresses, but I only need one wearing a dress, riding on the pallet jack. 正 = Masa 宗 = Mune ? 次 = Tsugu

You guys are 110% awesome! Got home last night just before midnight. Unpacked all 4 matchlocks, all the swords and inspected my new katana closely. I knew it was long, but actually put a measure to it. 29.250" (74.3 cm) She's a healthy girl.

Are you referring to Roger Robertshaw the Hizento author?

She’s going to shinsa in Chicago so hopefully I’ll get some help, and papers, at that shinsa.

Will take some good pics in the next couple days. On plane now and won’t arrive home til late tonight. 28”+ katana with masame hada that almost become ayasugi in spots and LOTS of sunagashi, tobayaki, inazuma, kinsuji, etc. Quick tease pic from hotel last night added below. Gotta go now, plane is on the taxi way to the runway. Dan

From Facebook, 王子： prince 三： three 狐： fox 運者有天 善長者戰 It is a Classical Chinese covered to Japanese meaning: For those with fate would be awarded by gods For those talented worriers would prevail in battles.

All packed up and heading to the airport soon. 🙁 The Las Vegas Japanese Sword show was awesome. Mark Jones did an excellent job of arranging this show. Special guests Mike Yamasaki, Brian Tscherna, Woody Hall, and Rick from Pawn Stars were a great addition to the show. For polishing, we had Woody, Jimmy Hayashi and Bob Benson’s son in attendance. Great info from all 3 of them. I sold 3 swords before the show even started. Sold three more on Friday and two more on Saturday. Of course, I bought some stuff too. Took a tanto and wakizashi on trade late yesterday so may be posting those soon for sale. As of right now, Mark is making arrangements to have the show again next year. Make it if you can, you will not be disappointed. Dan

A few more before I take off for home. Woody showing the ART of polishing. Brian Tscherna (spelling) had a great demonstration of Habaki making. Mike Yamasaki had an awesome lecture on kantei.

@SteveM Mike Yamasaki was thinking the same thing. A collaboration between two smiths but could not figure out the remainder.

Any idea on the other? The grass type script is tough. I bought the sword today regardless of the signature.

Rick, Mike and Mark chatting in front of my table.

No one?

This one has a lot of us stamped. So much to translate it is hard to figure out what it is actually saying. Please help!

I had to take a picture of your awesome shirt! @Toryu2020 @Rivkin

More to come tomorrow. Mark has arranged one hell of an event. @matthewbrice @Mark @Rivkin @mdiddy@brannow