Bazza

John, Tōto juu nin, I think (living in Tokyo). Tōto is an old name for Toukyo, Eastern Capital. BaZZa.

Steve, this is a pearler!!! A miniature Kaigunto desu ne?? Is there any precedent for a sword of this type?? Is it known what rank or OR might have worn it??? Reminds me of a smaller NCO sword (aka "metal hilter") I once saw that I _JUST_ missed out on buying. The lucky owner was generous enough to let me photograph it. I'll have to pull that together sometime for this thread. BaZZa.

HAHAHAHA - I allus reads a Guido comment (a) because it is erudite and highly knowledgeable, OR (b) because the humouresque content is side-splitting. As a banana aficionado the extemporized description was brilliant, well-suited to a tokuri. BaZZa.

WOW!!! Loved to see it. Thanks for posting. BaZZa.

Sean, Apart from the lopsided kikumon already mentioned, I once owned a sandai Izumi no Kami Rai Kinmichi wakizashi that was almost copybook of the Fujishiro example and I think the signature on your katana is right on the money. Congratulations and do keep us in the loop re Shinsa on this blade. Bestests, BaZZa.

Old Albert Yamanaka saying "Bad swords ruin your eyes"... BaZZa.

Maybe a mamorigatana??? BaZZa.

(burp) - reach for heartburn meds... Sorry (I'm a sufferer too) BaZZa.

Neil, Not being a gunto koshirae person I would appreciate photos of: - 94/98 outfits, - type3/type0 swords I have numerous photos of mon on gunto koshirae, but no idea of the type designations. There is one big fly in the ointment of mon on gunto/kaigunto koshirae - any takers??? BaZZa.

No, it's an American invention. I have more info unless someone else comes up with a name and a link. BaZZa.

Peter, thank you. Never mind the museums, a most interesting essay in itself with acute insights into Japanese society and Samurai culture. Best regards, BaZZa.

What do we make of sujikai/O-sujikai yasurime in opposite direction??? BaZZa.

On the RHS: YAMASHIRO KUNI FUSHIMI JUU (I think. If wrong others will correct me) On the LHS KANEIE There is heaps of stuff on the Kaneie school including all the copies by others. A large volume and a considerable study in its own right!! Put KANEIE (or KANEIYE) into google and into the search function for the Board and you will be blessed with reading. As to the genuineness of your tsuba I cannot say, but there are people on the Board who can... Bestests, BaZZa. EDIT: Oh, and welcome to the Board Edward. You will find heaps of willing help here if not already done do spend time "just surfing" the Board...

Back in 2008 I catalogued a sword collection for auction. Amongst many things my pocket wasn't deep enough to buy was a lovely shingunto that I ferociously desired. That's history, but following Neil's exhortation to keep this thread alive I thought the sword deserved a place here. This is my catalogue description with selected photos below that. Bestests, BaZZa. =============================================================================================== Katana: Shinogi tsukuri (ridge line & yokote); blade length 69.9cm, tang 21.5cm, curvature 2.0cm, thickness 0.70cm; in original Japanese polish (some rust pitting & cleaning at point); itame hada (irregular grain pattern); notare hamon (“long wave” undulating temper pattern) with peaks resembling Mount Fuji; tang in good original condition, nice patina & filemarks, incised in nicely cut characters SEKI SHU JU KANEYUKI. A sound Shinshinto blade ca 1820. Koshirae:WW2 Japanese Army shingunto, the whole complete & good condition; excellent original, clean brown silk binding to handle; family crest on kabutogane (end handle fitting); good rayskin (slight cracking); brown silk rank tassel present but badly frayed and worn attached to scabbard hanger (remnant of original silk hanger still in kabutogane). This sword has 3 very unusual features (i) scabbard is finished in true urushi (lacquer) in russet-brown (slight scuffing & cracking); (ii) scabbard mouth has an additional protective collar to keep out dust & moisture; (iii) on each side of the handle between rayskin & wood core is a thin strip of silver or nickel-plated iron. Clearly this unique sword was of special significance to its wartime owner. ===============================================================================================

G'day Ben, Welcome. While we are on the subject it is very important to remember that mizukage doesn't always indicate a retempered blade. High ranking smiths had mizukage in the original quench. For an example I personally know, shodai Tadayoshi. Best regards, BaZZa (aka Barry Thomas in Oz).

Mmmmmm - delicious candy. Bit worrying to see surface rust on the Gassan daisho tsuba?? The fate of all large collections is having somebody to look after it full time. The altruism of Mitsumura san and Nezu san is admirable and highly inspirational and a clear case of money in the right hands. Even this bottom feeder is deeply moved by the admiration and dedication of these two gents for the sword arts. BaZZa.

Curran wrote: > It wouldn't be the first time I had to live on the credit card until next payday. BROTHER!!!! Join my club!!! Every time I get to zero some other carrot is dangled in front of my nose. Hopeless, just hopeless, that's what I am. Then I read about WEI and his bottomless purse and I think its time this bottom feeder gave it away!!! BaZZa.

Luca, Yes, that's what I mean. Its a very ghostly UJI- though, only a wisp of a shape and line reminiscent of UJI. So its a real off-the-top-of-my-head stab at what it might be. Best regards, BaZZa.

Yeah, dud signature. I'm amazed that I could even read it!! FUJIWARA KANENORI. BaZZa.

Hmmm, for the mei I see UJISHIGE SAKU???? BaZZa.

This is a big "ask". Can I suggest sending it to Marcus Sesko and pay him for his expertise??? BaZZa.

I'm not sure if I should put time into this... and I don't mean to offend anyone, but... IMHO the carving is a horror-mono. Look, I beseech you, at the chisel chatter in the cloud sworls. The balance of the design is "off" and, again IMHO, there is too much -mono for such a small sword. Also, the shumei is definitely suss, being on the "tachi" side of a wakizashi!!?? The lacquer looks to have the shade and viscosity of a vermilion shade of nail polish... Better photos may tell a different story, but that's my take on the offering. Bestests, BaZZa.

John, Thanks mate. So we have here an original Special Order Shingunto with Ikkansai Kunimori blade???? The koshirae is contemporary with the blade, I gather?? And the white binding??? I've just remembered somewhere in a discussion on the various quality grades of same that there is a "whiter than white" variety - is this it, and again is it contemporary with he blade??? I'm all at sea when it comes to such swords... BaZZa.

Vajo, You say this is very collectable - why, pray tell?? The whole thing looks like it has been done up, what with the new binding, blindingly white same, and seemingly dremelled kanji on the habaki. Yet whilst the major pieces have been silver-plated the gilt and black seppa aren't monkeyed with and neither is the red copper O-seppa. The closure to scabbard mouth is highly unusual and looks genuine original. The silver plating has an age to it, but that's not hard to do, of course. So in the words of the song - what's it all about??? Bestests, BaZZa.

Or perhaps plain old talcum powder usually used for a baby's bum... BaZZa.