mdiddy

It spent time in the presence of Emperor Showa. There is no activity, the blade is arsenal made. It was not intended to have hamon and hada. Not all high level military or political mounted blades have signed nihonto. Even Emperor Showa carried a parade saber which I doubt contained Ichimonji Norifusa, Gassan Sadakatsu, or even Seki Kanenori.

There is also uniqueness in the designs on the saya furniture. IF you’re in it for pretty things, the Meiji export tsuba stand is right around the corner. BUT, if you want to collect something of historical significance, which would you prefer: the possession of a hospital bureaucrat or an item that spent time in the presence of the pinnacle of power? Tough call I suppose…

Thanks all for the comments. I'm not sure if the blade is signed as I have not removed the tsuka. The mekugi are on fairly tight. To my eye, the blade looks to be of arsenal manufacture so I assume it is not signed. I do not see a tempered hamon. I hope that helps. Please let me know if there are additional questions. Happy to help.

I have a very rare WW2-era Japanese Imperial Household Dirk to sell. These rare dirks were carried by senior officials operating within the Emperor's household. They are the holy grail of naval and civil dirks. The total length in the mounts is 16 inches (40cm) and the length of the blade is 9.5 inches (24cm). This example is MINTY and in immaculate condition. Crisp and clean blade, crisp and clean mounts. Asking $10,000 usd obo. Open to cash/trade/offers. More pics available upon request. I can be reached via message on the Board or at mdiddy8000@hotmail.com. Thanks for looking! Matt

Noshu Mishina Yoshiaki for the mei on the right. Left column for mei on the left begins Shimosaka... Working on the remainder: 下坂鳥義上之 (kiritsuke-mei)

Looks like Nagasone Okishige to me. How is the blade?

Given the length and shape, I think the sword in question is much more likely to be a mid-Muromachi katateuchi ca. 1470s+ than something from late Nambokucho or Oei ca. 1390s. For comparison, I’ve attached the entry for Yoshizane from Fujishiro showing an example dated 1497, which interestingly, is also in my collection. I attached some pictures of the blade too. Ryokai Yoshizane examples are rare enough. Pity the one in question has the fukures and wares, else would have been a good contender for restoration with the horimono, mei, etc.

Looks like a very well-made blade. Nice find.

Also, I think the 3rd and 4th pictures contain an address. I see the middle column starting: 青島市 富山 (Aoshima City Toyoma).

Yamato No Kami Yasusada perhaps?

http://www.sho-shin.com/hoku7.htm The 2 Tomoshiges I have held had their own very distinct style, particularly with striking hako midare. They were mid 1400s, so not first generation, but neither had a lot of distinct trace to previous influences in my opinion.

Hey Mark, Above the 2nd mekugi-ana on the ura, the first kanji of the nengo looks like 'Gen' (元) to my eye. It also looks to mostly be present above the mekugi-ana. I agree the second kanji looks like 'Toku'. Sounds like right timeframe, but no idea if it is shoshin. Also curious as to what parts of those kanji were obliterated by the 2nd mekugi-ana since they can mostly be seen (to my eye). Hope that helps and if shoshin maybe we can make a trade? Matt

I would add this does not look like Ichihara Nagamitsu or Endo Nagamitsu from Showa period.

Interesting sword. I would recommend not taking the signature at face value. 'Sneaky gimei' should always be in the back of the mind for a sword appraiser. If it was a cherished signature, why did they not save it instead of filing over the top of it (and sounds like they truncated the end with suriage). Having not seen the signature, we can not say for sure, but I am suggesting that if the signature does not confirm the workmanship, then some healthy skepticism may be in order. Would also free you up to explore a lot of eras outside the date range confinement. Please share pictures of shape and nakago. They would add a lot to the discussion!

Late Muromachi Shitahara school may be worth looking into given the length and shape of the blade, the style of nakago, and most importantly the prevalent mokume.

Yes it does have a Mino feel. It looks like he was aiming for Kanemoto. I wish we could see the nioi guchi. I expect this sword does not have the typical oil-tempered effects of showato that also seek a Mino style. Nice sword. Thanks for sharing. If you happen to take more photos, please share.

Looks like an earlier sword by Nagamitsu. Can we see more of the hamon? I think togariba is fairly rare for his work. He is mostly known for Bizen style choji. He must have been fairly versatile, or at least willing to experiment. I have had a couple of blades by him in Soshu style with profuse and dense nie along a notare hamon. This hamon looks Mino-inspired at first glance.

There is even on on eBay! http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUPERB-HIGO-TSUBA-NBTHK-TOKUBETSU-HOZON-Japanese-Samurai-Sword-Fuchi-Kashira-/281711699936?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41975367e0

Great start to a collection and thanks for sharing. Well done!

Maybe not a bad buy for $100. Nakago has definitely been 're-shaped'.

What leads you to conclude it might be from Nambokucho?

I met Craig at a Chicago show and had a good talk about favorite pieces and he enlightened me about some of his tsuba. He is responsible for a significant chunk of my nihonto library. He will be missed.

The stamp is the oft-discussed star stamp indicating the blade was traditionally made. If you search the forum there is a lot more info on the star stamp from previous discussions. I think the bars are probably inventory marks. I have no idea about the '98' or '86'. Maybe warehouse numbers or sizing information for the kodogu.

Looks like the mei says Mondo no sho Masakiyo. Looks dubious.

Looks maybe shinto or shinshinto to me. How can we say for sure without seeing sugata, machi, etc. I have never seen Higaki yasuri on a gendai Seki blade.