Grevedk

2. +

2. Hamachi and marks

I will try and expand on the pictures. I understand the difficulty in assessing anything from unprofessional and amateur pictures 😜 From a purely learning perspective - I truly value everything you “throw my way”. 1. Nakago rust and Mekugi-ana

Thank you Jean. All information, knowledge and experience is much appreciated 🤗👍 Every comment (e.g. difference between Mei and Nengo, drilling or punched Mekugi-Ana) is just widening my own learning curve 🥸👌 Best regards Soren

Dear Uwe and Jean, Thank you for taking both the time and the effort. It’s a bit awe inspiring that the date indicates a more than 575 year old blade. But seemingly the practice of having Mei (name of province and smith / date of manufacture) on both sides of the Nakago is corresponding well with a date of August 1445 🤓👍 Jean - would you happen to know the meaning of the “no Ju” in front of NORIMITSU? Again - your input has and is both valued and very much appreciated👍👍 Best regards. Soren 😎

Dear NMB specialist’s, I need your experience and expertise. I bought the wakizashi blade as a study project in order to gradually be better in my own judgement of real or not so real Nihonto swords. The blades dimensions: Nagasa: 42,5 cm Nakago: 14,5 cm Rust on Nakago: fine / velvet black Mekugi-ana: 2 Ha-machi: 2,6 cm Fukura: 2 cm Sori: 0,5 cm Mune: 0,5 cm Harmon: O-Choji Midare there are Mei on both sides of the Nakago, probably translated as: “Bishu Osafune Normitsu” and maybe the province on the other side: “Bunan”? The blade is in fine condition, and that is where I’m in seriously doubt about my translation as that (if correct) indicates a rather old blade. Question: Have I translated correctly? Does the correct translation correspond with the blades dimensions and look? Hope you can find time to offer some comments 😎🤙 Best regards Soren

While you have fun as mice - eating the “Samurai’s” rice 😎 /Soren

Thank you - much appreciated 😎👍 Best regards Soren

Dear translator, I need your help as I am completely “lost in translation” regarding mei on this Wakizashi Shikkake. It’s a blade that came into my possession some while ago without any further information regarding origin or maker. The blade is well made with visible hamon, and it feels and handles like a functional weapon (combat). Nagassa has a few minor nick’s in both Ha and mine. I guess that the Mai is year and date, but is rather lost in “Hiragana” 🥴 Dimensions: Nagassa - 43 cm Sori - 1,5 cm Nakago - 1 Mekugi Ana (velvet black rust) Kissaki (Shobu Zukuri) Hope that somebody can and will help? Best regards Soren 😎

Hi everyone, Again thank you all for taking time to respond. Dale - your pictures and detailed comments are very much appreciated as they put me on a new path (and possible understanding) on how to distinguish between different regions. I have found several descriptions of similarities that could point to Higo province (Shimizu Jingo I - III or Kumasi) such as: size thickness round edges no sukashi cuts chocolate color patina clear traces of Nunome Zogan leaf of spades form of the Kozuka- and Kogai-Bitsu-Ana but the dragon motif seems a bit gaudy (or flashy), and it somehow resembles the dragon in Disney’s Mulan - so maybe 🤔 there is a slight chance that the maker of this Tsuba let himself be inspired by Hizen (or Namban) 🤓 But wow - I am beginning to really enjoy this quest and opportunity to learn from somebody who have been doing this for some time. Thank you. 😎

Hi Dan, Bruno and Dale, Thank you for your comments - appreciated 😎👍 One question - why Hizen and not Higo province? How do you see (or tell) the difference? Soren 😎

Tsuba from the Cleveland Museum of Art as a reference.

Backside

Dear NMB members, I am in need of help to identify the origins (history, name of artist, place of manufacture) if possible on the Tsuba pictured below - unless it’s a fake / copy. The Cleveland Museum of Art have a very similar sword guard (Tsuba) with “Dragon in storm and sea”, Japan and possible Edo period, in their collection with a citation from NMB (some of you) saying: “Edo Higo Kumagai work done in the style of Shimizu Jingo?” The Tsuba in my care is made of iron (magnetic) and it measures approximately 7,7 cm x 8,4 cm. It has a motive of a dragon in a storm with lightning, clouds and waves. The yellow metal appears to be inlaid gold (not confirmed) as it seems very well positioned in the iron. Both the Kozuka-Bitsu-Ana and the Kogai-Bitsu-Ana are of the same “distinct” form which I haven’t seen on that many Tsuba’s before (really only on the one from the Cleveland Museum. I would greatly appreciate any of you comments on this subject. Best regards Soren (new member from Denmark)