Millsman

OK my sword went off to the shinsa. Was very pleased to get a positive reception. However all I can base that on is the 75 point score awarded as my Japanese is non existent. If someone would be kind enough to take the time to translate I would be most appreciative. ">http:// ">http://

Curious about value of shinsa documentation. I am unable to attend so will have to have someone act on my behalf to submit. As there is a fair amount of work on their part their fee will add substantially to the cost. So my question is, to what extent do shinsa papers add to the value of the sword, in particular when both mei and date are unquestionably valid? Any thoughts or comments welcome. Thanks in advance.

Just FYI if in/near Massachusetts http://www.worcesterart.org/exhibitions/samurai/#opening http://www.mfa.org/exhibitions/Hokusai and anytime http://www.springfieldmuseums.org/the_museums/gwv_smith_art/exhibits/view/35-japanese_arms_armor#.VR2vho10yUk

The very best review of anti rusting products. I have used EEZOX (easily found on EBAY) since reading this as I do a lot of target shooting both modern and black powder. Once you use EEZOX all other preservatives pale. http://www.6mmbr.com/corrosiontest.html

The Worcester Art Museum will be presenting an exhibit of Samurai related objects beginning in the Spring and running into the Summer of 2015. While the Museum has its own collection of relevant objects, now strongly augmented by those items formerly in the Higgins Armory, they do not own a daishō and would very much like a loan set for the exhibition. Anyone interested in making such a loan please call Jeffrey Forgeng, Curator of Arms and Armor, Worcester Art Museum, 508 793 4481.

Appreciate all the responses. If anyone can translate any of the words perhaps someone else might be able to fill in the ones they miss. Anything is better than nothing. I am aware that placement of the character or symbol may determine either its meaning or the meaning of the word preceding or following. Even a partial translation "may" give some indication of the message/song/poem. I have a small collection but have not seen an inscription on any kozuka before,any other known examples?Many thanks.

Interesting that the mystery continues. The inscription is so well done that I believe it to be real not just some meaningless scribble. The name on the blade is Yamashiro no Kami Nobutoshi which I am sure will be no help but if someone recognizes him and can tell me anything about him I would appreciate. Thanks On another forum I posted this too I am informed this is Hentaigana a former unstandardised form of what's today Hiragana. Now all I need is to be pointed to a person, institution, museum, university department, etc. that can translate.

Back of kozuka,several Japanese readers cannot figure it out. Any thoughts by anyone appreciated. Thanks.

Thank you John.

The blade appears to be of much nicer quality then typical gunto to my novice eye. But the signature may tell the tale. Any help in the translation and then thoughts about validity appreciated. Vet bring back. Thanks in advance. Regards. http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f382/ ... g~original

Many thanks,I am so very impressed by everyone who answers.The knowledge and willingness to share is as good as it gets. I wish I had more to contribute and hope that my commitment to save a sword when possible is seen as of some value. Thanks again.

Maybe an opportunity for me? Would require polish and shirasaya and only two poor photos to help in making a go or no decision. As important as the translation (if it can be translated from such a poor photo) would be any comments about age, the smith, general thoughts about taking a chance? I know that it probably makes more sense for a novice like me to purchase from a reputable dealer a sword that has already been either maintained or restored But I prefer being part of saving the past by having a sword restored. Even if I cannot do the work, having it done means I am part of saving a unique object. Sorry about how photobucket requires you to click on the little magnifying glass twice. Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks. http://s51.photobucket.com/user/steibls ... sort=3&o=1 http://s51.photobucket.com/user/steibls ... sort=3&o=0

Thanks for the translation. Real or forged signature,I love it. The ura manji on the belt of the horseman any particular significance or reference to a specific character? He also seems to be hooded? Identifiable? Thanks again.

Have to photo in sections due to lack of expertise. The sword is out of polish and has been neglected and perhaps abused but I hope these photos will help in identification. Hard for me to see if there are any togariba. Please comment, Thanks again http://imageshack.us/a/img856/1449/jypm.jpg http://imageshack.us/a/img191/2015/fzkt.jpg http://imageshack.us/a/img819/92/udv8.jpg http://imageshack.us/a/img46/8306/0vi8.jpg http://imageshack.us/a/img401/2379/xhor.jpg http://imageshack.us/a/img687/2416/0fsa.jpg http://imageshack.us/a/img441/3889/i9x2.jpg http://imageshack.us/a/img20/2544/tje1.jpg http://imageshack.us/a/img13/9582/yjap.jpg http://imageshack.us/a/img827/756/ziib.jpg

Even better perhaps? Many thanks guys. This appears to my novice eyes a rather delicate katana. The tsuba is more typical in size to those found on a tanto. The nagasa measures 24 7/16. I am not able to properly photograph the blade. If it is ever definitively identified as a Nagakatsu blade when would it have been made? http://imageshack.us/a/img12/4319/82rw.jpg http://imageshack.us/a/img17/7396/f1c3.jpg http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/6449/wo9l.jpg

Better? http://imageshack.us/f/138/4gxo.jpg/

Back on July 7th I made my first post on the tosogu forum. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=16164 While I later found out that the sword was a good buy I learned the from those of you kind enough to respond that the associated fittings saya and kodogu were judged to be only of so-so quality. After being referred to some better quality examples and watching the awesome Utsushi - the search for Katsuhira's tiger. I decided to once again take a newbie chance at an auction offering. I would again appreciate any comments good or bad. I purchased on the basis that I found the example attractive and however it is judged I will enjoy looking at it but I would like to know more and any recommendations on how best to care for it would also be most welcome. (No photobucket this time http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/7992/h7uk.jpg http://imageshack.us/a/img199/2135/nspm.JPG I should have added that the tsuba was part of a package deal that included a katana in mounts the tsuba for this sword is very small a size that I would think would be more typical for a tanto. Any thoughts welcome. http://imageshack.us/a/img194/3733/24vj.jpg http://imageshack.us/a/img19/4023/z977.jpg http://imageshack.us/a/img809/7493/v8xa.jpg

New treasure.How do you make what appears to be a signature more readable? Is this a signature?( I would be more than happy if someone can read it ) This is way beyond my even attempting to read.Thanks

Thanks again for responding to my query. All comments are welcome and I didn't really expect to find a National Treasure. The good news is that Moses thinks the blade is very nice and worthy of restoration.Thanks to David,I like your site.Regards.

Many thanks for the comments posted. As a total novice I have now learned that it is nanako work and have seen the difference between my examples and really fine work. Still hope Moses will determine the blade is a worthwhile candidate for full restoration. Even if the quality of the fittings are not special I am still pleased that if nothing else it is a matched set. The craftmanship is certainly beyond anything I could manage. Additional comments more than welcome and if nothing else I may now consider adding some tsubas of a higher quality to my collection of various objects.

Thanks for your response. If the photos appear in low resolution you may be using an IPAD? I couldn't get the photos to open correctly on an IPAD only on a PC. Before posting I sent to another PC to see if high resolution was possible, seemed OK. On photobucket first click on the individual photo, when it opens click on the magnifying glass symbol in the lower right hand corner, another identical photo drops down automatically click on that magnifying glass symbol in the lower right and you will see a very high resolution photo.

Took a chance on buying a wakizashi at auction. Moses Becerra will be evaluating if the blade can be saved from being polished by someone who knew nothing about polishing a Japanese sword, fingers crossed. What I could not see from the auction photos was that all the fittings were a matched set. Saya ,kojiri, kurigata, kozuka, tsuba, fuchi, menuki and kashira all have the paulownia mon. I would very much appreciate any information about when these were made, any particular school and if so where I might learn more about them. Also as the gold has disappeared from several of the pieces any thoughts about would it be proper to have them regilded ? many thanks in advance. http://s51.photobucket.com/user/steibls ... t=3&page=1

A short distance away a forth reason to visit New England http://www.currier.org/exhibitions/leth ... and-armor/ Video below from the Boston show http://bostonherald.com/entertainment/a ... tion_opens I have been told that many of the samurai museum's treasures have been taken out of storage and are displayed as well

http://www.mfa.org/exhibitions/samurai http://www.springfieldmuseums.org/the_m ... arms_armor http://higgins.org/ sadly the Higgins will close forever on 12-31-2013 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higgins_Armory Second largest collection of armor in the US cannot find a sponsor

Saw these listed,I have no relationship and will not be a bidder but thought the membership might like to view. http://www.hudsonvalleyauctioneers.com/swords.htm