jmpainter

I first saw the sword in 1990. There was a pretty thick layer of rust on the Mei and the Tsuba. The Mei was very hard to read and the engraving on the Tsuba wasn't apparent...unless you were looking for it you wouldn't even have noticed it. The Rust was dark brown/red. My friend cleaned it off to better see the Mei. jmp

If it helps, I have a better closeup of the Hamon and Grain One other clue is the Flare at the Kissaki. And a closer Crop of the Boshi

Wanted to check to see if anyone might have or could recommend a source for a suitable replacement Fuchi and a few Seppa. A fairly plain Iron Fuchi would probably be most appropriate with this Kahira and Tsuba. Aesthetic advice also quite welcome. Thanks, John

RE: The mirror image... There was a goofy "Flip Image" command in Photobucket. It SHOULD have been fixed but I do know the original post was flipped. Just in the interest of getting images correct (which is pretty important in this case!) try reloading the page and/or emptying your Browser Cache and then reload. It is displaying correctly on my Computers and my Phone. Thanks John

So it is 'proper' to replace the Fuchi (I'm also missing a Spacer as well) as long as I tell a buyer (if I sold it)? I've seen some for sale that looked like the same style on eBay. jmp

The engraving on the Mei is quite deep if that tells you anything. The only Mei I have ever seen in person were of the REALLY sloppy variety on factory Gunto so my frame of reference isn't so good. I love the "Fishing Nets" painting. I don't know if you can see it well in the photo but the top right of that side of the Tsuba has kind of a Dragon looking figure on it as well. There is a bit of inlay on that bit too but it is hard to see it unless I remove some rust. john

I didn't mean to sound defensive about it at all. I don't claim to know ANYTHING about swords. Just very interested. I always thought it looked out of place. Anecdotal yes, but it has only changed hands twice and my friend who gave it to me had seen it at HIS friend's house (the son of the GI that brought it back) since he was young. The knot is well-tied and fitted well so it doesn't give the IMPRESSION that it was tied on there by a GI.....but maybe he was a Boy Scout Whomever put it on there, it was tied a long time ago (not in SWORD years of course). jmp

Interesting...I know that it has been on there at least since WWII. jmp

I took a few more photos. Here is the Blade shape Here is what is left of the Hamon

Interesting....do you think the Tsuba is really that "young" though? The edges are very hammered. There is a little inlay on the tops of the "Volcanoes" and the Spear (if that is what it is). Also maybe another color of inlay on the man. In other details...the Butt End is Kengyo. The Blade is about 68cm The Tip is O-Kissaki The File marks seem Sujikai except there is some crosshatch pattern where the File marks also go in the opposite direction. Also..the placement of the Mei is Katana-Mei? The Hamon is fairly straight with a flare up on occasion. I haven't studied it closely. Unfortunately I think the edge has been ground by a knife sharpener Was wondering if there is a way to 'bring back' the Hamon. THANKS for your expertise. This is a great forum John

I've been given a translation to the Mei FUKUOKA JÛ ROKURÔZAEMON no JÔ HIROMITSU One side of the Tsuba looked to me like a reference to Fishing which would go along with Fukuoka. I wonder also though if it is a Rokurozaemon reference The other side of the Tsuba looks like Four Volcanoes. A reference to the Mount Aso Range? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Aso I would like to learn more about the age of this sword. Any ideas? THANKS!!!

Ah...it is actually Red. This sword was brought back from WWII so maybe the cord was added as a safety? I am trying to figure out what this sword is. Thanks, John

I don't understand the reference to "ROKURÔZAEMON". I think I understand Hiromitsu a resident of Fukuoka. THANKS!!! John

Hello...newbie trying to understand a sword that I have had for a while. Can anyone tell me about this cord attached to the Tsuka? I haven't found other swords that have this but don't know what to search for. Thanks, John

I have stared at some Kanji glossaries but just got confused....think I see: 3rd Character: "Ju" (resident of) 4th: "Roku" (6...doesn't make sense though) 8th: "kado" (gates?) 10th & 11th characters "Hiromitsu" Thanks for any help. John