Bazza

More that the WRITTEN ruomaji were balanced. The Japanese pronunciation would be the everyday usage. It is in essence a practiced equivalence, much like learning another language. BaZZa.

I thought without thinking that MOTO NEN seems amiss??? BaZZa.

Wot - no nudge nudge??? BaZZa.

They would have said Tsuba Tsuka... tuba and tuka are spelt in one of three systems for rendering Japanese.in roumaji (not romanji). I used to have an intimate knowledge of these, but time flows on... The system most widely used today is the Hepburn or Revised Hepburn. I recall the Monbusho system that used tuka and tuba, the idea being that as syllables in spoken Japanese have an equal length (apart form long vowels), so it should be in roumanisation - hence tu for tsu etc etc. Here is a read for those inclined: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanization_of_Japanese BaZZa.

Koichi san is everybody's best friend... BaZZa.

Anthony, Its plain you are a busy man and I know this is a Nihonto Forum - BUT - I'd love to see some good photos of the Enfield M/1858 Navy with cutlass bayonet... Best regards, Barry Thomas aka BaZZa.

Agreed, SAKU. The first character has been drilled out, remember, so SAKU it is. I half recognise the first character and can see it in my mind, but nothing associates with it. Sorry. BaZZa.

I agree with Vajo -- BUT - having often thought about this, if the sword is "good enough" kintsugi might be an acceptable method to replace the missing metal and restore the continuity of sugata. For an important sword I would accept such a repair, even if solid gold, like a tooth repair, if kintsugi was not possible for the filling volume. BaZZa.

Good one Ray. -FUNE doesn't look quite right, but I'm sure you're closer than I am. BaZZa.

CHOSHU SUKEMITSU?? BaZZa.

What mess, I see no mess!! (with apologies to Lord Nelson on the eve of the Battle of Trafalgar). Oh, and Alex, what public library is this??!!! BaZZa

Note that the sword has mitsumune which suggests, despite the bad chip, that it should be looked at very carefully by knowledgeable people, more so if it has a high shinogi. Also, the scabbard looks like it might be VERY old with the simple, yet lovely, lacquered flowers. Or it might be a later Edo rush job!!! I make a guess that not all early Edo koshirae were top quality "bling" jobs... BaZZa. EDIT: The vice jaw marks are a sad testimony to the very rough journey this sword has had.

Last photo in the second set, MINAMOTO (?) YUKIHIRA. BaZZa.

Date is I think Showa 16th year, 10th month = October 1941. Smith might be NAO (?) HIRO. BaZZa.

Kathleen said: > there were many female warriors amongst the Chinese and the Japanese I would like to read much more about these lady warriors. I have seen a YouTube video of a naginata class in Japan with women. It is common (?) knowledge that samurai women defended the home with naginata - and probably yari and sword?? The only woman in Japanese sword history I've read about is the lady who accompanied Takeda Shingen on his campaigns. More strength to you Kathleen with your website. Perhaps we could watch it unfold and evolve?? Best regards, BaZZa.

Waaall, lots of possibilities. The top general's Mother-in-Law. Perhaps a general or eunuch with a severe case of Gynecomastia... Very interesting nonetheless. BaZZa.

Richard, IMHO nothing to apologise for and no necessity to forgive!! I have enjoyed this thread and if I might say - if you've been addicted to this hobby for 40 plus years (did that slip by most folk??) welcome to the Board and I earnestly hope you'll stay and share your collection and insights with us. What I liked most about your tanto is the blade your friend made for it. I note the boshi is yakiotoshi, which shows a certain preference on the part of your friend. I would like to see a full length photo of the blade both sides without the habaki, please, if you don't mind. Best regards, BaZZa aka Barry Thomas (Melbourne, Australia)

My first assumption is Aussies might have a preference for hanging onto things or selling locally Second assumption is that very few Aussie collectors would be willing to pay the sort of prices I imagine a fine Middle eastern arms dealer might want for his arms??? Of course, there are those very keen people who will pay just about any price for something they really want. I see lots of them on NMB... BaZZa.

HEISEI 15th YEAR 10th MONTH = October 2003???? The mekugiana at the end is called SHINOBI ANA and is not uncommon in Nihonto - we might call it "a style" or a swordsmith or owner's preference. This thread should explain further: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/17559-shinobi-ana/ BaZZa.

Dear Folk, I happened quite incidentally upon this notice of Christian's death October 14th, 2019: Chaffee , Christian T. 07/23/1958 - 10/14/2019 CAFunerALT.com Published in The San Diego Union Tribune on Oct. 20, 2019 Christian started 10 threads over 2007 - 2017 including this one: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/15734-rare-tanto-published-in-1935-was-discovered-in-my-collection/ I wonder what happened to the famous tantou?? R.I.P Christian. BaZZa.

Cum cum Gentlemen, lets not be coy about this: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/gabrielsanchez/Japan-kanamara-matsuri-festival-steel-phallus-penis "16 Jaw-Dropping Pictures From Inside Japan's Penis Festival" I'm sure Guidoemon is well-steeped in this Tradition... BaZZa. PS: google keywords Japan penis parade celebration for more information. One could also drop fertility into the keyword string.

Ken, Ken (Mr Mantis). Wherefore art thou??? BaZZa.

s**t!!! It's an Armory. Vive le Revolution... Oh. and Vive Le Drinks... BaZZa. Especial Happies to Stegel.

If it makes a buck (or sen or yen) turn it out and flog it!!! This is in the best traditions of capitalist enterprise!!! BaZZa. (wearing a shade of pink!!)

In the JSSUS magazine many years ago there was one such written up. BaZZa.