John C

Bill: I agree with Sam. At least the signature is not correct. I'm fairly sure that does not say Inoue Shinkai. See attached Shinkai mei and compare with yours. Also compare the way he wrote his dates. This one is from 1673. But in any case, it looks gimei. John C.

Matt: I'll give you one possibility. An officer may purchase a blade that was originally designed for an RS/type3/1940 style fittings (hence the two mekugi-ana). But had the type 98 fittings mounted instead, which use only the top mekugi-ana. I have a star-stamped sword that is just the opposite - one mekugi-ana RJT sword in RS mounts. John C. p.s. FYI in cases where a civilian sword were used, the mekugi-ana would be much closer together.

By the way, VERY nice M1941 Johnson. John C.

At least they left their initials carved into the tsuba. John C.

It caught me a few times as well when I was doing research on Kanehide John C.

Bruno: I think the province may be Sekishu, however I can't find anything in the 7 stroke count list that looks similar to the fourth kanji. The last part is a kao. John C.

Here is another discussion on Kikuhide. He was an RJT and made star stamped blades. Check above the Na stamp. John C.

Conway: I believe it's Kikuhide. Note the star shaped strokes in the middle of the first kanji. John C.

Jo James: I don't kantei swords, however I can give you a couple of tips. Note the red line in the first photo. That is the measurement for the nagasa, or cutting edge. The perpendicular green line in the middle is the sori, meaning curvature. That can help determine age or period or school as well. The second pic show a fingerprint on the blade. You'll want to wipe down the blade with rubbing alcohol to remove it. Then oil the blade lightly with mineral oil. John C.

Trystan: I think you did the same thing I did. Wouldn't it be 1921? John C.

Michael: Not sure that it is Japanese. Writing seems off to me. But I'll reserve judgement and wait for the translators. Also, the sword appears, from the limited photos, to be a reproduction. The wrap on the handle is done in the Chinese style and the nakago ?? looks rough. Additionally, the seppa (or whichever that part is with the writing) opening is cut very roughly. Better photos of the entire sword may lend more answers. John C.

Andrew: Please re-read Moriyama-san's response. The kanji used to identify the town and city names were not used during WW2. When translating WW2 artifacts, it's important to know that the entire kanji system was revised in 1946. 385 kanji were redesigned (mostly simplified), the base requirements of kanji that one needed to learn changed, and the types of kanji used in Names was established. This was actually a law. So when Moriyama-san says that incorrect kanji were used, it's important. It means the tag could not have been written prior to 1946 (after the war). And indeed, one of the town names did not change until 1950. So while the tag may be "old" it is most likely NOT from WW2. Just food for thought. John C.

Correction. I meant 1921 (did the whole 1912 + 10 thing). John C.

Isn't that a 10 (1922)? John C.

One thing I noticed is that, in many of the photos, the chape is resting on the ground. Makes me think if I saw a pristine chape, I would question the originality of the paint. John C.

Not that it means much, however I agree in principle with Calabrese - that if NMB is going to allow sellers to use the site as a business platform, they should be held to a higher standard than Ebay or some dodgy auction house. I've been burned by our "preferred" sellers as well. Before I purchased, I read so many posts about "buy from our sellers" when I, and other folks, had doubts on a purchase. Unfortunately, that trust was misplaced. Lesson learned. I think what gets to people the most is the feeling of betrayal. You expect to be ripped off on Ebay so you are somewhat mentally guarded, however this is different, this is community. Your guard is down when buying from the site. So I can see how tempers could be flared when a sale does not go as both parties felt if should go. Just my two cents on why this is more than just caveat emptor. John C.

Bruce: Is that an anchor stamp? John C.

Helo Zhangshilong: I'm no expert. But since the answers to the questions are both objective and subjective, I'll offer my opinion. What is a true netsuke? Objectively, a netsuke is an ornamental device that attaches to a cord for the purpose of holding another object to an obi or belt. With that definition, it can be literally anything. Subjectively, netsuke represent an art form. And like all art, it's beauty is in the eye of the beholder. When I think of netsuke as a collector, I picture an historical object. I also tend to confine my collection to those objects made in Japan, since I collect Japanese items. This isn't to say that those items made elsewhere are not artistic, or not valuable, or not of high quality. I just prefer to collect those made in Japan and are at least 100 years old (how we define an antique). I think the reason for my collecting preferences are because of established provenance. Modern art, in any form, doesn't usually carry the value or prestige of older art because the artists are not yet established as "masters" of their craft. Some probaby are - and will be designated as such in the future. But for me, modern pieces do not have the same attraction as those that are antiques. I'm sure others will disagree, however I wanted to give just one collector's perspective. John C. 约翰 C.

Nice one, Sam. First recorded number with that particular stamp. Half way through the production run so 1895 perhaps. John C.

Not sure. The angle looks a little too much but hard to tell. Scabbard seems correct. As he is an MP I was thinking could be a Patrolman style 4, however the length is off. But could be. John C.

I have to agree with the above assessments on the tag. My initial thoughts were that it looks too new. The ink looks like it was from a Sharpie rather than brushed. Can you tell up close? I guess it could be original IF it is brushed/ink pen AND were kept in a sealed box for the last 80 years. Not even a speck of dust on the cloth. But I would question it. John C.

Yes. I looked at the top of Ray's flash cards and not the bottom section. John C.

I wouldn't be too surprised if the Sgt Major were gifted the sword. In the US at least, it takes a lot of time and knowledge to get to Sgt Major and even new LT's listen to them - particularly in combat. They are usually very respected. Just my two cents John C.

Bruce: What were the differences again between the small and large anchors? John C.

Looks odd to me too. Kanemichi written on the blade? John C.