sencho

師 法 眼 ? 伯 ? 寿 高 ?????? not sure how to pronounce though!!!!! :lol:

I remember this from Darcy's post a while back... and I must have learned something for once, because the right hand one immediately struck me as gimei due to the meguki ana placing, being off... then examining the center line of the mei backs this up. So I say right side = gimei. Cheers

something strange here.... Like Franco, I can see minute differences (maybe an age/photo thing), but the same clearly defined nick in the metalwork on the edge of the kogaihitsuana.... :| cheers!

When Japanese people look at the moon they see a rabbit pounding mochi.... I think... Sun and Moon theme??? cheers! edit..... yep here it is.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_rabbit

.... sometimes sarcastic replies. But in most cases my twisted sense of humor is hard to digest anyhow. you should see him on the last train home, after 47+ flasks of Nihonshu....!! :lol: Cheers!!!

Shino Kasumi....???? first far away glance..... but not Kasumi....... Shino something????? Maybe a different pronunciation for 1st kanji..... If Mike cannot make head nor tail of it... what hope do i have? :lol:

It is about 16 inches / 40 cm high... I have one of identical physical design... not quite as busy with the decor, however.... holds 3 swords.... cheers

Hi Steve, You are obviously where I was 3 years ago in the nihonto knowledge department.... I would also suggest getting some reasonably priced books to start you off with understanding this stuff... THE Japanese SWORD Kanzan Sato probably about 30 or 40 US dollars THE SAMURAI SWORD, a handbook John Yumato probably around $15 - $20 A little more advanced, but brilliant is the CONNOISSEURS GUIDE by Kokan Nagayama These are all English language books.... also Rich Steins site give loads of information on terminology and care of blades, why some are in shirasaya, in koshirae, etc.. wakazashi, katana, tachi, tanto.... etc, etc... Care of your sword when you buy it is especially important, so you need to read and learn some stuff!! :D Also there are links here on the message board for dealers in various parts of the world... if you are in the USA, it might be easier to buy right here... but there are also dealers in Europe and Australasia. Cheers Nigel

Jean.. :? Hmmmm... Brain Fart more like.... Been working far too hard lately, and two days ago was doing business with someone from Nakano... I feel myself getting older by the day! Cheers

Hi, Firstly never touch the nakano (tang) of the blade, or clean it like you have. Luckily, but unfortunately for you, the cleaning of the tang is of no consequence, as it looks like you have bought a cheap chinese fake. Either that or it is a mass produced gunto that has been butchered and put into a rather off putting fantasy scabbard; but I would go with a Chinese fake. Sorry for the bad news... remember not to clean the tang when you do find genuine nihonto. Cheers PS... by the way... the site you linked to is extremely good.... hold the fake blade that you have and scroll down to the kissaki section.... now decide which you have... fake or real...

Just in case anyone is interested, the Japanese taiko drumming team, KODO is touring the US... One of the most incredible shows you will ever see. I have seen them twice and will be going to two shows on this tour... not to be missed!! http://www.kodo.or.jp/oet/index_en.html ... and for a little sample of what is on offer for those who have never experienced it http://www.kodo.or.jp/news/20091210bravia_ja.html Cheers!

Kanji are Chinese characters used with Japanese language ... so same characters, different spoken word.... however saying that... it doesn't look like any kanji I have ever seen cheers!

damn right!!! see it every day!! I like the "chuckies" on the fuchikashira..... :lol: Doesn't describe the menuki.... but I like 'em too.... copper plate like the Kurikata?? I'd be happy with this sword... I'm not interested in papers (none of my swords are papered and even though some would stand a good chance at shinsa, this is not my objective) Nice price considering the strength of the JPY right now.... cheers

Kyle, He is a forum discussion on the subject by a bunch of people, all of whom, think they know what they are talking about... :lol: http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/archiv ... 13350.html In my opinion it looks more like a mass produce fantasy sword, but just my opinion.... Cheers!

"definite I think".....sounds fairly close to "maybe and possibly"!! Whatever floats your boat, but I wouldn't give it the steam off my p...! Go for it.....!!!

Nihon Koto Shi History of Japanese Old Swords??? Author???... my eyes are not that good, Grey!!!! :lol: but I believe it was by Dr. Honma Junji Cheers

..... and apart from perhaps showing excellence of a smith's craft, was there any practical purpose for the end user... apart from the fashion of a particular period? cheers!

Interesting.... Does anyone know if there is a practical purpose for a blade to be made Katakiriha-zukuri....? ... apart from it maybe being fashionable at the time... Cheers..

sorry Obachan... :lol: I didn't realize that we had determined it's "Gunto" status yet....... Would at least be nice to check the nakano, right?? cheers

... and your name is...???? what's that got to do with the forum guide lines?

YES... Ric... don't do anything with it, until you at least know what you have.... and then ask advice here before you clean, polish, buff or try any kind of cleaning or alterations!! :D Cheers!!

Well an "Ex" is a 'has been', and a "Spurt" is a 'drip under pressure'...!! :lol: cheers!

I know that shop, I was in there back in June.... cannot remember the name either however.... would love to have a library of every nihonto related book in that store.... George, if it is the same one as Brian is talking about, it is right on the main road there... Nihonto books on shelves... many of them behind the small counter, but on full display from floor to ceiling! Not sure if it is this one, but it is right around here!! http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&g ... 9477626316 I did find a few stores in that district that had full sets of Nihonto Taikan and Nihonto Koza.... that were surprisingly cheap for full, as new, boxed sets, too!! opposite Brian's shop there is a back street (if you walk up past the McDonalds - ) running up towards the Medical (?) University http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&g ... 6&t=h&z=18 I never walk past a "Book Off" either without checking out the large book/art section (usually in the same isle as the magazines)... I have found some ridiculous bargains on rare Nihonto books in there.... cheers!

Shan, Was this the 'tourist piece' koshirae that you spoke of previously? viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4390 cheers...

Looks like they have progressed from the Dremel to chiseling them now! cheers!