John C

Along the same lines, I'm curious how many were working in the shadows. We know that smiths went into variousl other forms of metal work (kanagu, yatate, netsuke, etc.) and far more probably continued to make things like tools (kanna blades specifically), kitchen knives, scissors, work knives, eating utensils, which had always been their bread-and-butter for income. Maybe there were plenty of smiths ready to transition back into sword making when called upon. John C.

Mauro: I agree with filing a case with the postal inspector and the local LAPD. The theft is both grand theft and a federal crime. LAPD investigators and postal inspectors should be able to interview employees, which at least will make the culprit nervous. Maybe the swords just "shows up." John C.

In the modern era, there have been multiple people in the UK that have turned down a CBE (Bowie, Lennon, Lawson, etc.), usually citing that they didn't feel they earned it. And in the US, several actors have turned down oscars for various objections to causes. I suspect we will never know if a smith were offered an award and turned it down for the same reasons. John C.

Interesting. According to wikipedia (insert grain of salt here), they were used in both the Boshin war and the Satsuma rebellion. John C.

Bruce: I have this one reference in my files. It's from a post war assessment by Gen. Gardner. This is all that is mentioned in the doc, however Hiroshima was the location of Chugoko Branch HQ and seems to have been command and control; listed as a branch of Osaka arsenal. John C.

@Bruce Pennington Just adding this to "naval stamps" for your information and research. Note the variety of anchor marks. John C.

I have several that I use regularly (with 10 or 12 different blades), which do an amazing job. The rub for me, however, is how finicky they are. It usually takes me multiple tries to set each one exactly where I want it (based on the grain direction, etc.). One tiny tap on the blade - not cutting enough. One more tiny tap - now cutting too much. Darn. Need to pull the blade and chip breaker and start again! I find card and cabinet scrapers (stanley #80) way easier to "sharpen" (obtain a burr) and use for finishing at least. John C.

And yet, the late model wooden tsuka version is worth a lot less. But I suppose it's the same with everything. With comparable production numbers at the beginning and end of a product's run, the first are almost always worth more than the last. John C.

Being sold straight from China for 150 dollars. Must be fairly cheap to produce of they can make a profit at 150 dollars. Wonder how many scammers order it for resale. John C.

Raphael: I think it's dated showa 48 (1973) and looks a bit like the type of "authentication" you might get from the shop where it was originally purchased. Seems to have much of the same information as a torokusho. John C.

@Bruce Pennington Bruce: Not sure what to make of this mark/stamp. Maybe it's just a partial. On a sword with what looks like a souvenir tsuka and navy tsuba/seppa. https://www.ebay.com/itm/127778985142? John C.

When you say pheasant-leg, are you referring to the one labeled kijimomo? John C.

Marcin: I have both and now only use the more expensive civil swords and dirks version. They have much of the same info on military swords, however the more expensive book adds gunzoku and dirk information. So I guess it depends on what you are researching. But the if you are only going to buy one, I would buy the civil swords and dirks version for the extra info. John C.

Seems the same was done to the tsuba. There are the remnants of something under the scratches. John C.

Thank you, Jan. I forgot the alternate pronunciation of ta as da. Much appreciated Chandler and Jan - and Sam for moving the thread. John C.

Oops. Just realized I put this in the wrong forum. Could this be moved please? John C. @Scogg

This is scratched in a commemorative paperweight. I'm pretty confident of the second kanji as 田 "ta", which is clearer in person, however the first kanji is only a guess 塩 (salt; sodium cloride). Seems odd for a name. Any guesses would be much appreciated. John C.

The bane of my existence...sharpening! John C.

Mr. Ninja (given name?): I think the tamahagane coming from smelters is graded (5 I think) so it can be mixed in various amounts by the smith. Note in the pic below there are two grades coming from the Yasukuni smelter being sent to various arsenals. This adds to the variability. In addition, the smith has a lot of control over how the metal is heated, folded, pounded, etc. So I don't personally think blades are in danger of being too generic. I think about the example of two RJT smiths with vastly different values both using the same tamahagane from Yasukuni. Just my two cents (Oh wait, the US doesn't make pennies any more.) John C.

One of the title pages shows a date of 1938, for what it's worth. Not sure if that's early or not. My copies are 1960's reprints. John C.

Update teaser number 2. The metal reinforcement pieces after patination. Captures the look of the iron pieces well enough, I think. John C.

Hello Jose: In general, kai gunto (referring to naval mounts) can have different kinds of blades. Some are a type of rust-free steel (anchor stamp), some are known as KJT (traditionally made swords), some use old family blades. I have also seen kai gunto with seki blades. So the direct answer to your question is no - not all have the anchor stamp on them. John C.

John: I think Ray is looking here. But I can't tell because it looks as if the nakago has been repaired (re-welded?) at that spot. John C.

Interesting placement of the star stamp - under the habaki. Later, they are mostly just above the mei. Early and still feeling out where the best spot would be? John C.

There is a large US naval base there. Perhaps the father was in the Navy. John C.