shan

Hi Again, I have had a look and the Go-to and Jo-Kao of this Monzino tsuba looks remarkably like the Mei of the Kozuka (bar the first part of the name of the craftsman). I would really like some opinions as to whether this mei on my kozuka is a good mei or Gimei. Many thanks shan

Hi Ludolf, Thankyou for that i was having trouble with that one. I had compared it to a couple of other Goto items in auction catologues like the Monzino collection and other useful sources and the Koa and written Goto look very like the signature of a slightly later Goto craftsman.I had heard that the early Goto masters did not sign their work, but that it was signed by later goto family members and craftsmen.Perhaps you have an example (or someone can find a similarity) to a particular Goto members Kao and handwriting that may shed some light on this.I will try to find the one i have and see how similar it is to my ones script.I will scan it in and let you see it if its similar. Thanks for the input so far its near impossible to find info on the internet with signature examples. Regards Shan

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Hi all, I am new as well so forgive the lack of knowledge. I have a Wakizashi in Katana Mounts as well.Instead of Same/rayskin it has very very old decomposing red leather then standard ito over it,Lovely Gold Shi Shi Menuki and shi shi Fuchi Kashira,Tsuba (later added and not right)was Mokkuo Gatu with starbursts/firework stamped pattern then gold washed.The Wakizashi is Mumei and as far as i can tell has not been cut down,Yasureme is a Crosshatch pattern.Hamon is gunome-midare-choji-sudare...(Lots of different hamons on both sides).It is an almost straight blade and fits the tsuka and saya perfectly. I though that when the ban came into effect on the wearing of katana,these were worn to comply with the law, but also look like katana to the general public or robbers. As an opinion:It might also be noted that in the wild-west a fastdraw gunslinger with a shorter barrel would (potentually) be faster at clearing the hoster than a long barreled opponent. Could just be all waffle i am speaking as well. Regards shan

Hello Learned people, I wonder if i might get some assistance with this Kozuka i have. Its signed Go-To-?-Jo-Kao and i am note sure what the 3rd character is or its rough date.Is it mainline? Its topic is of Kanyu with Halberd(?) and the Fuchi Kashira are of Flowers and butterflies,Menuki is of "a witch on a broomstick"? all are by the same artist. Came with a mini 25.5cm Katana proportioned sword of Shinogi Zukuri,Midare hamon,Yokote,etc ( if you saw an image, without knowing its size you woud believe it was a katana or wakizashi)A perfect mini sword. Came with Darkest Brown/black laquer mounts with very very tiny coloured glitter chips embedded.smallish Mokko Gatu tsuba. I hope someone can help me with these items