Scogg

Thank you! I liked it too. Its no showstopper, but I thought it was a really nice package for the trade/price The Menuki don’t appear particularly fancy or ornate to my (novice) eye, but they are large!

Thank you Dale! That’s very helpful and informative. That makes sense because I believe it is on what is a late edo wakizashi, and it fits pretty well. I thought the koshirae was an attractive set. Much appreciated!

Thank you so much! Much appreciated All the best, -Sam

I am again interested by another tsuba; found on a sword I received in a sale/trade. It has a nice rich color to it. I was hoping for your thoughts about it. Is it of any quality? What is the motif? All constructive discussion welcome. Let me know what you think! Cheers, -Sam

Was hoping for some help translating the mei on this non-traditional WW2 showato. I did not apply the chalk - it was already there. Thank you! Cheers, -Sam

Recently got a couple swords in a trade. One had this dragon themed fuchi, and I was hoping for help translating. Thank you! Cheers, -Sam

That seems a likely scenario! Previously I had wondered about the possibility of suicide or hunger. I wonder how Marcus Sesko aquired his death-date, and if any other info was available. You've caused me to go down a rabbit hole of the bombing campaign in July before the big bombs were dropped; very interesting! Thank you! -Sam

Osawa Kanehisa Showato with seki stamp and kanehisa kokuin (hot stamp). Numerals “226” found on Nakago in red paint, and matching on most of it's Type 98 fittings. I think you got this one logged on my translation thread a few weeks ago, Bruce. From Marcus Sesko's book, Japanese Swordsmiths: KANEHISA (兼久), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Kanehisa” (兼久), real name Ōsawa Kan´ichi (大沢勘一), born January 2nd 1915, student of Kojima Kanemichi (小島兼道), he worked as a guntō smith and died July 7th 1945. ryōkō no retsu (Akihide, skilled artisan) What I find particularly interesting, is that the smith died in 1945, at just 30 years old. I wonder how... Going to be bringing this sword to a local show this weekend for a possible sale/trade. Hoping for some luck! Cheers, -Sam

If I had a nickel every time I heard that a gunto was "Recovered off the body of a Japanese officer", or "Found in the sands of Iwo Jima"... I'd be able to afford a much more impressive nihonto collection . I'm sure they are out there - but I have never seen a 'framed sword' that was worth removing from the frame for a closer look. Cheers, -Sam

Old fiberglass perhaps? Could be a vintage miners helmet or hardhat. Just a guess, -Sam

It's the fault of all you crazy Tosogu collectors. Supply and demand after all… Just teasing/kidding of course, Cheers, -Sam

This is something i've been noticing too. I've always wanted a 95, but not at the current market value... Seems to me, you can get an arsenal type 98 Showato these days for less than the type 95 Cheers, -Sam

That Hirata Hikozo tsuba is really stunning. ...And perfectly highlights how naive I am to judging the quality of a tsuba I can tell it's very nice. I would never have guessed anywhere near that price! Back to the books , Cheers, -Sam

Dan, I think he was asking about your new Tsuba

Dan, Okan’s comment got many likes, a thanks, and your confused react. Many of us showed our support of his statements with our ‘reacts’. Personally I didn’t think his statement warranted a reply, because his comment was concise and well thought out. I think we’re all just expressing our interpretation of the question. And sharing our own personal “rules” for our own collections. Nobody is passing judgments on other peoples collections here. How could we? We can’t see them . I don’t presume anyone here is hoarding tsuba. I was just expressing what I personally want to avoid - during my individual collecting journey. Cheers, -Sam

Culling the collection to spend big on #500? My OCD would not allow my collection to remain at 499 for very long

"Honey, it's really up to you. Japanese art, or a deadbeat husband." Just kidding of course, My wife is very supportive... patient.. -Sam

I think anything you truly enjoy has the potential to become addictive. Whether that be collecting tsuba or even something less tangible like studying Japanese art. I don’t think I have an addiction, but my wife might say otherwise - as I pace back and forth between my computer and my books with much of my free time . Like mentioned above, IMO, the key is not hoarding, keeping things in perspective, and trying to improve my knowledge and collection. Collect pieces, don’t collaborate items. Anyway, I only have 3 or 4 Tsuba I ended up with over the last 5ish years of collecting. I enjoy them, but I’m trying to focus on blades instead. Cheers, -Sam

Doing some sorting today and oiling. Decided to compare two of my wakizashi side by side. One is unpapered suriage, the other is ubu and papered. Both mumei. Very different form. Just thought I’d share to a thread I enjoyed!

My understanding was that we were talking broadly about swords with wakizashi nagasa. More of a hypothetical scenario of swords you might find on a table / available for sale. All the best, -Sam

I’d like to throw out my biased opinion here - in defense of suriage wakizashi. Suriage is an important part of Nihonto history, and naturally many wakizashi have been shortened. Obviously ubu anything is ideal! Y’all have a point when talking about strictly shape/form… But when talking about and comparing wakizashi, especially anything koto, suriage is likely going to be on the table. Simply put: I propose that they at least belong in the conversation. Cheers, -Sam

This one is definitely more challenging! I think my first pick would be #2 down, and I’m not sure I can say why. I imagine it’s o-suriage, and at full length its proportions would be more attractive. Something draws me to that one. Then #3, I’ve always been attracted to this shape. Hard not to like based on shape alone. Then #1 and then #4. Just the musings of a novice. I’m looking forward to what others have to say. I do like wakizashi, because they’re often within my budget . Cheers, -Sam

Until you find a proper replacement: you can fashion one from a bamboo chopstick. Cut off the proper length from a section of the tapered end. Choose a section that fits without falling out easily. Cool sword! Best of luck, -Sam

Love the question! I was 11 years old.. Thank god I didn’t do anything stupid with it at that age It belonged to my grandfather. The story of how he got it, is lost. Every time I would visit, I would ask to see it. He was pretty grumpy, and only occasionally agreed to show it to me. Anyway, he had a stroke, and I think he knew he was going to pass; because while visiting a couple weeks before my birthday, he decided to give it to me. He was only 73 and I was turning 11, and my parents shocked looks were priceless Anyway, after many lectures about the responsibility of owning a weapon. I took it home with me. He passed away a week later, RIP. Fast forward ~20 years, I take interest in it, post it here, and send it off to Ted for ID. He tells me its genuine, and early Shinto mino! I didn’t even know it was real for those 20 years. Nothing particularly valuable, but very special to me. Cheers, -Sam

What, you don't want to take the risk?