Scogg

It's my understanding that ato-bori bo-hi is typically done to hide flaws; but can also potentially expose deeper flaws like fukure and ware. Might sound aesthetically pleasing, but the risk may not be worth the reward. To each their own of course. -Sam

Hi Bruce, After going through my Fuller and Gregory books and also Dawsons cyclopedia, I did not find anything that matches in a satisfying way. I searched the diplomat sections and beyond. The emblem itself reminds me most of the emblems found on police badges. See the first two color photos below from Dawsons. Third and fourth black and white photo, is an unusual item listed in Fuller and Gregory military and civil swords and dirks. Still, nothing quite fits… All the best, -Sam Dawsons: Fuller and Gregory:

I am still not qualified to determine if it's cast or not, especially from photos - but some of those blue circles appear to be depicting how bamboo looks when a branch sprouts from a node. Which could be interpreted as an extra level of detail rather than a casting flaw. -Sam

Away from my books until after work, but I'll comb through them when I get home in about 6 hours. Maybe someone will beat me to the punch before then Interesting emblem! Especially interesting it's repeated on the buckle. I share your fears of a fake, I don't like the way the fit of that fuchi looks... Can't say I recognize it, but I often forget more than I remember -Sam

Hi Tristan, Your photos are good for identification, and thank you for sharing your sword with us! Unfortunately, there's no signature or stamps to make ID easier. You sword appears to be a wartime manufacture Type 98 ShinGunto with leather saya cover. I suspect it's a non-traditionally made SHOWATO rather than a traditionally made GENDAITO. Seki made is believable, to me. The tang (nakago) is original length (UBU), and it's unsigned (mumei). Hopefully more people render their opinions to confirm or deny my suspicions. Interested to hear what others think, -Sam

It’s a good question, and the rectangular nakago ana raises more questions. My first impression was that it was hand forged. After reading others opinions I’m not so sure now. A part of the reason I want to keep my tsuba collection minimal is because I’m often reminded how little I know about tsuba All the best, -Sam

Just a collector of stuff that I like. Trying to keep my Tosogu collection very minimal at the moment. Lets not derail this thread

Dan, please consider the possibility that the date on the tsuba is not honest - especially likely if it happens to be cast.

Thanks Chandler! Next time you're around, let me know and I'll treat you to lunch! I will soon be looking for images for the club website. If anyone has any high definition images/photographs of their collection, I'd love to include them! I am particularly interested in rain dragon depictions on tosogu and also anything with rain, mountains, or nature themes. I'd rather use images that were donated to me for the site, rather than pulling them from random places on the internet. If anyone has any good ones, please PM me! All the best, -Sam

Recently a video was shared by @Lewis B, that shows a modern swordsmith using pieces of broken old blades in his smithing. Timestamp @ 11:15 you can see that part https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/51569-another-fascinating-and-informative-hok-video-on-nihonto-blade-making/#comment-538926

Thank you David! I'll reach out in a while for some contacts. The hotel meeting room seems to be the most realistic option. I share your feelings toward facebook This project is still very much on my radar. Unfortunately I just entered the busy season at my work, so it's been slow-going. I hope to create a website, and reach out to local collectors before the end of the year. Hopefully sooner rather than later. Cheers, -Sam

I agree, I don't personally see evidence of suriage with the provided images. Looks a little machi-okuri, though. My kantei still needs some work, but your swords sugata and kissaki remind me a lot of a wakizashi that I have from around the early 1500s. My best guess would be Muromachi. All the best, -Sam

I like the strong box theory, as my first thought was the little strongbox on a lot of Japanese Tansu (Dansu?). The 'rivets' on each corner definitely scream metalworking, like George said. Reminds me a lot of the metal trim on these cabinets. Interesting design, and while it reminds me most of a Tansu, no image I can find fits in a satisfying way... Cheers, -Sam

A properly and well fitted Japanese sword will require no such things. Craftsmen make the fittings to fit perfectly. In battle, you wouldn’t want things slipping or rattling around, so the fit is important. With time and changes in humidity and climate, wooden components can shrink or swell. When this occurs, sometimes the paper shims helps the fit. Also, when people piece together swords from non original parts, sometimes you can find these types of things. Probably some other scenarios in play too, that I have not considered. Hope that makes sense. -Sam

Any of the dealers from this website are trustworthy, and have good authentic items. https://swordsofjapan.com/ is Ray's website. He's got some awesome swords on there. If I had that much to spend right now, I'd snag that Tokubetsu Hozon papered Ko-Naminohira. I still highly recommend doing some studying first though. And Colin's advice of going to shows is great! There is one comming up in Chicago, and also Orlando. Another in San Fransisco early August. http://www.chicagoswordshow.com/ https://orlandoswordshow.com/ http://www.ncjsc.org/SF_token_kai.htm All the best, -Sam Edit: Incase you attend a show, this is really important info: https://swordsofjapan.com/nihonto-library/nbthk-etiquette/