Dick Tait

Having just acquired my first Nihonto, a Kata-Kiriha Katana, I think I may start to collect unusual shapes! What do you like to collect? A specific school? A specific period? A specific swordsmith? Just thought it might be an interesting topic!

Can't help with translation I'm afraid, but you may find this site of some use in the meantime?

I think you should go back to the antique shop and get your money back! Good luck with your next sword.

Hi, does this character mean anything to anyone? Think it's more likely Chinese than Japanese. (Hope I haven't commited a sin on this forum! )

Try here

Might rock somebody's boat! Link

Another Link, although this is specifically about NBTHK papers, may be useful for you.

Nope. The general aim in both cases is to get the sword, and any koshirae, to the other end undamaged. Mine are packed well wherever they are going. Kevin I really meant with regard to the description / customs declarations etc. You wouldn't really want to pay taxes on something you already own!

Is there a difference between the way you would handle the packing & postage of swords for 1) polishing/appraisal or 2) buying/selling?

Hello All, My interest in swords is very recent: I inherited my father's naval sword and hung it on the wall in my new house. After a while I thought it looked lonely there and, seeing as I work for the army, decided to purchase a curved (replica) army sword to create "Crossed Swords". Much better! I also bought new sword knots for both these; this meant that I was left with the original naval sword knot. When researching naval swords, I discovered that there were also "Midshipman Dirks" and I decided to find one for said sword knot. For two years I saved, and studied the ebay auctions, and finally bid and won a very nice example at a very competitive price! After my Uncle recently passed away, my Aunt, knowing I had an interest in swords, gave me the "Samurai Sword" (a type 98 Shin gunto) that he had bought back from Burma at the end of WWII. Seeking to learn more, I again turned to the internet to find out about the sword and blade. I was chuffed to find that it had a signature, and even more so that it was signed by a maker of some regard and dated 1539! So this is where I am at the moment; learning about Mei, Gimei, Hamon, Kissaki, Nengo, Nekago, Sori, Hada, Boshi, Ihori, Ko-Nei, Katakiriha-Zukuri and becoming thoroughly confused as to whether I have a "National Treasure" or an "Unusual Fake". Who knows? Time will tell, and I am very much enjoying finding out! Regards, Dick Tait

Hello again all, having difficulties in finding out much about the mei & nengo, so I'm throwing it open to yourselves for any help and discussion that may throw some light:- Mei: "Soshu Ju Tsunahiro" Nengo: "Tem-Bun Hachi-Nen Ni-Gatsu Hi" What do you guys think? I've not managed to see any hi-res images of 1st (or 2nd) gen Tsunahiro mei to make a comparison with. Although it does look similar to this example in the V&A museum which was signed as 1st gen, but attributed to 3rd gen. Why would he do this??? Regards, Dick Tait

If the Nengo is to be believed; Late Koto.

mmm... I'm lost at this. I grew up with the mantra "form follows function" and AFAIK Nata uses no other tsukurikomi then katakiriha zukuri (which dates back to Kamakura), so it must have something useful, but really can't say what such a mix as the one we see here can improve in a blade with the length and the purpose of a sword. Something eludes me... Nice blade anyway. Interesting, could it be; that with the change in sword length in the early/late Muromachi period from long Tachi blades to much smaller Uchi-ganta (and the way that they were worn, and drawn for speed) have anything to do with it? Easier to draw the blade when time was of the escence? This article Characteristics of the Japanese Sword details this time change (and my sword most closely matches the shape and length of the one for this period in the picture at the bottom of the page.

Some more of the blade.

Here are some more pictures: Shin gunto Type 98 mounts. This is an officer's sword. Army Menuki with Mon Mokkoku. This makes me think that it is a "family blade" Katana; blade length = 63cms long. Your views would be apreciated. Regards, Dick Tait.

Yes, it is indeed like this, but reversed. Would this mean that it was made for a left-handed person? Thank you Brian. Regards, Dick

Brian, I'm not sure - all these terms are new to me! I live in UK, so Hawaii is not an option. Thanks for your reply. Dick Tait

Ric, These sites may be of interest to you: http://www.h4.dion.ne.jp/~t-ohmura/gunto_002.htm http://www.jp-sword.com/files/gunto/ohmura.html Regards, Dick Tait

Hello Everybody, This is my first post, please be gentle with me! (N.B. I did not cause the damage!) I inherited this blade recently and am wondering if the Kissaki is restorable? Thanks in advance, Dick Tait