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Dick Tait

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Everything posted by Dick Tait

  1. I may have to have my new Tanto polished one side Hadori and one side Sashikomi just to settle this argument!!! :D
  2. Shimotsuki" (霜月 frost moon) is the old Japanese name for November.
  3. Shimotsuki 霜月 - 11th Month - November ???
  4. I knew I'd read it somewhere - Later half of the Muromachi Period - "The Nakago is made short to suit a one-hand handling"
  5. There is a short passage and picture of a Tsuba by Funada Ikkin in the "Japanese Sword-Mounts in the Collection of Field Museum" by Helen Gunsaulus:http://archive.org/stream/japaneseswordmou16guns#page/n277/mode/2up (flip back one page for picture). I have no idea if this will be of any help or not!
  6. Nice blade! When I got my sword back from the polisher; customs tried to charge me tax on the value of the sword, rather than the cost of the polish! Sorted it out in the end though!
  7. Date: Tem-Po San Nen Hachi-Gatsu Hi (1830, 3rd year, one day in August)?
  8. Have there been any significant nihonto come to light (gone on to be highly papered / recognised)?
  9. A very good question, and one that I wish I'd asked a couple of years ago. Perhaps it could also contain the addendum "and why?" All the information used in describing a Japanese sword ultimately is for the identification of when, where and who made it. This method of appraisal dates back centuries and has developed a well constructed formula. The best website I have found to describe this is at shibuiswords. Hope this helps?
  10. Does this book stand up as a reference book in it's own right (or does it need to be viewed in conjunction with the other 2/3 kantei publications)?
  11. Yes!
  12. http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/ubuha.html
  13. I was listening to an interview with Paul Martin yesterday and he mentioned that once you've applied the uchiko, tap the blade (I guess meaning strike fist on fist to shake/bounce the blade) in order to remove any larger particles that may scratch the blade. Makes sense.
  14. Hello Jeremy, Hawley (P.373) has two smiths listed signing this way: TA165 = 2nd generation (1684) & TA167 = 3rd generation (1711). There is oshigata of TA165 which doesn't match your sword. So probably 3rd generation - lived in Omi. Regards, RichT
  15. I agree with Josh, they look very different to me (both the shape and the kanji). Plus, I may not be correct! Just saying that there is a smith listed in Hawley that signed this way. Perhaps other more knowledgeable people can surmise if your wakizashi has the characteristics to be of appropriate age (maybe the rust patina indicates a later date)?
  16. Hello, welcome back! There is a Shinto smith in Hawleys (p42, HI446) that signs "Hakushu Ju Hiroyoshi" (same way of signing kanji) Hoki Province 1684 Regards RichT
  17. Adam, Judging from what people are saying, I don't think that you should think of this sword as a fake! I think that you should think of the sword as a "potentially" rare and expensive, and give it due respect accordingly. It could be 700 years old. Pictures that are generally asked for, in order that an initial judgement can be made, are: Pictures of both sides of the overall blade, close up of the kissaki (point of the blade), close up of both sides of the nakago (tang of the blade) to show any possible mei (signature) and a close up of the width of the blade where the polished part of the blade meets the tang. If the blade is at all rusty, don't attempt to clean it yourself and the tang is meant to be black/brown and never should be altered/cleaned/sanded etc as this indicates the true age of the sword, it is a natural patina. Please do not do anything hasty, as an ill thought moment could cost you dear. Seek expert advice first, and quantify that advice on here first. Best of luck!
  18. Does this say the cutting test was Rio kuruma or Kuramasaki or something else? Seems incredible that a blade so (relatively) short could make such a cut! Just goes to show...
  19. Hmm, now I'm confused...If it's Michihiro, then shouldn't it be 道廣? Isn't what you've written Tsūhiro 通廣?
  20. Thanks David!
  21. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/JP2453
  22. Hi Peter, You said in your introductory post that the sword you bought was rated "Juyo Token". You can check the meaning and see examples of good (and fake) papers here and get further info on nihonto ratings here. Regards, RichT
  23. Thanks you guys! It will add knowledge to the piece and there may be some funding to restore, to an extent.
  24. This is the tang of a shin guntō sword that is in the Small Arms Collection at Warminster Garrison. It was presented to the museum by Lord Mountbatten. The blade and tsuka in a very poor condition, but it does bear this signature. I've been trying to read the kanji, but failing miserably. The only character I'm confident about is the 2nd to last "Hiro". (Hirotsugu? Hironaga?), but am stumped with the rest. Can anybody help? Cheers.
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