Anlashok

Thank you sencho for your comments. I'm trying to verify by other sources, if I have a valuable Nihonto. Will keep posted

Hello Ken, I only use this blade for form training. I'm looking at purchasing another blade for tameshigiri when I'm competent to undertake this task. There has been some question marks on using this blade because of the shortened tang and if this has compromised the integrity of the blade/tsuka. I live aprroximately 1 1/2 hours from Burnie. Will check my work roster, if I'm free will come down to say hello and welcome you to Tassie. Talk again soon :D

Hello again, Have been unavailable for a few days. Thank you Koichi Moriyama for your comments. Backs up the information I have. Interesting to learn Toshikazu was a student of Chounsai Tsunatoshi. My quick search found Koyama Munetsugu to be another of his students. "It appears that Munetsugu collaborated with the Yamada family of professional sword testers, especially Yamada Yoshitoshi and the head of the family, Yamada Asauemon Yoshimasa, in the study of cutting efficiency as numerous of his works are engraved with the results of these tests." quote off a website. Would this 'Yamada Yoshitoshi' be the same as the person that tested by blade? I have read that the Yamada clan were the offical testers for the Shogunate at that time. Brian, I hope I have a genuine blade. I cried when I saw what someone had done by cutting this blade. As there a very few blades in Tasmania, comparing to another of my swordsmith would be very difficult. If anyone has come across 'Yano Toshikazu' before I would appreciate hearing from you and any background you have on him. Of the blades I have seen mine is very thick and slightly longer than most. Would this have been the usual standard around this time (1850)? As requested I have attached some photos this time. Regards

Thanks for the welcome Piers. Sorry for the confusion. The person I purchased the sword from explained that his uncle had acquired the sword in Malaysia during WWII. As it would not fit in his duffle bag on returning to Australia, he clamped it in a vice (evidence of vice marks on the blade) and cut clean through the handle. This removed approximately 25 to 50mm of the tang. Also lost the original kashira and menuki. I will post some pictures of the blade as requested. As for the mei, no I did not read it. I have had 2 people in Australia and 1 reply from Japan stating the same swordsmith. I have only a name and a possible location. I was interested in more details of the swordsmith. Also I am led to believe the ura mei describes a cutting test and would appreciate any more information on this. Appreciate any assistance

Hello. As I’m a new member I would like to introduce myself to the forum. My name is Lee Moore. I live in Tasmania Australia. I have been studying various forms of martial arts for over 25 years. I am currently studying Iaido. I have a katana I acquired about 20 years ago and have recently had a new tsuka fitted so I can use in my Iaido training. I have collected information regarding the blade from a number of sources over the years, all have confirmed the swordsmith reasonably accurately. As I have no intention of selling the blade and intend to pass onto my daughter, I would appreciate if anyone in the group would be able to add to the information I already have. Details of blade: Omote mei - Yano Toshikazu Saku ) see attached scan of nakago Ura mei - daidai dotan Barai Yamada ) Nagasa – 775mm Sori – 15mm Moto haba – 36mm Saki haba 24mm Kasane 9.25mm When I purchased the blade the handle had been cut off (as you can see in the scan), supposedly to fit in the duffle bag of a returning soldier. This has resulted in some of the tang being cut off losing some of the signature. I still have the original tsuba and habaki. Will post these details another time. Thank you for your time and await your reply (Edit Brian - changed image to jpeg from tif for ease of viewing)