Dick Tait

Steve, Just found this webpage showing that there were at least six different variations of Shin-gunto tsuba. What's very usefull is the info about the associated seppa.

Not anything new to add really, but Ohmura's Gunto Site is a good resource.

60 Lots of Japanese Arms & Armour link here

My Type 98 Shingunto has similar "kamon on menuki" - wonder if it was the same supplier, or just allowed in regulations?

Yes, please see my post >>> Here <<

This is how I packed my katana when sent for repair/polish. In an alluminium snooker/pool cue case, mounted on a wooden board, attached with plastic cable ties. You can even put the habaki where the chalk would go! Worked well except that the American customs cut the ties, had a look at the sword and then put it back without re-attaching cable ties (despite putting spares inside), so when it arrived it was sliding about inside. Luckily it was on the way out, and not on the way back!!!

Can't even bid on a sword knot, if it's listed in "Collectibles > Knives, Swords & Blades > Swords". Dear Buyer To prevent the circumvention of the eBay.co.uk and eBay.ie Weapon and Knives policy, it is not possible for you to bid on, or buy this item. Thank you for your understanding. eBay Trust & Safety I guess that as UK citizens, they think we may accidentally strangle ourselves with these vicious sword knots! The UK law is an ass, as is ebay policy!

Bonhams Auction No. 16775 - Antique Arms & Armour Auction - 22 April 2009 Includes some Japanese Armour and Weapons - seem like low estimates

Are there any statistics on this event - How many swords submitted? How many papered? Are the NTHK more likely to give their reasoning behind their decision at these "Foreign" events? Just interested.

:D Bushido

No Kizu!

I recently tried to sell a penknife on ebay.co.uk and got an email from someone in Australia unable to bid. I put this to ebay and got the following reply:- Not that this helps much, as they're about to ban the sale of all knives except cutlery. Don't they realise that some cutlery can be sharp?

Was looking at it as a possible replacement blade for my Unryu-zu Tanto. I quite like the shape and if, as you say, Meiji would fit perfectly! Not traditionally forged you think?

Thanks John/Jacques, Can I assume then that the top "edge" on kanmuri-otoshi-zukuri is not meant to be sharp? What was it's purpose as such - more of a piercing tip than other shapes? Cut down on weight? Aesthetically pleasing?

Is this Kanmuri-otoshi-zukuri style?

What? You mean it's worth.....just about how much I paid for it!!! :lol: Never really expected the blade to be anything that special tbh, but I like the carving. The blade is something I can practice my "cleaning technique" before my katana comes back from the polishers. Do you think there may have been an original blade which was replaced?

Pleased to present pictures of my new Tanto which arrived this morning! It's Koshirae is carved wood, in the form of a Unryu-zu (雲竜図) "Cloud Dragon". The blade is Shinogi-zukuri and has gunome hamon towards the kissaki and sugu hamon towards the nakago. It has Ihori Mune and O-kissaki. The Hada & Boshi are not clear. It could do with a polish. The Habaki is a golden colour (probably brass) and it has a red tassle with a red & gold cord. It is Mumei. Nagasa = 20.7cms Nakago = 6.6cms Mihaba = 2.2cms Sori = 0.0cms Kissaki = 2.8cms Kasane = 0.5cms Thanks for looking!

The nakago clearly changes direction between the first and second mekugiana, and it looks like a weld in the close up pic. Was it Rai Kuniyuki that people were alluring to?

I sort of had a go at this one! Could it be MuneKuni? 宗国

OK, Back on topic! Was the colour of tassles, attached to koshirae, significant in Japanese culture? This one is attached to a tanto. Is it possible to say anything about it without the context?

Would this qualify for Edo Period Corner? Hmmm!? Actually, I doubt it's Edo, Taisho or Showa more likely - and it's got nothing to do with Nihonto either! but PM if you have an interest!

Link Link 2

'tis a beast of a blade and reminds me of a shark on the prowl!

There seem to be two polishers in the UK, John Bolton & Tony Norman

Think it would help if you tell people where you where you live!