John C

Rob: For what it's worth, I thought the same thing. I was thinking maybe a female who disguised her identity in order to fight. But I guess a young male could also disguise his true age for the same reason. Thank you to Moriyama for the clarification. John C.

I wouldn't surprise me to see a Kanemoto signature based on the style of hamon (pic is an example of one). John C.

Interesting. The Ashi on the sword above is the same as the example in Bruce's stamp doc. John C.

The link to the auction is in the first post. The hamon appears to be saguha, which seems simplistic for Naotane to me. John C.

Thank you for the links. I guess that explains why the mei date does not match his actual age. Much appreciated, John C.

Hello: The information on this Naotane tanto reads "age 80" Ansei year 2 (1855) dragon 8th month (I believe). Here's the issue (seller not withstanding): Naotane died in 1857 at age 79. How could he have been 80 in 1855? Am I reading the dates wrong? In addition, Ansei year 2 was the year of the rabbit not dragon, which was Ansei 3 (1856). Can anyone please shed some light on what might be going on? Is it totally gimei or am I not reading this correctly. https://www.ebay.com/itm/145142940110 Thank you, John C.

Paul: Sorry for your loss. But I do have some questions. Is the dark area under the bubbles a crack where rust had gotten in or just part of the softer, low-carbon metal? Also, are the bubbles a result of excessive heat during the heat treat? John C.

Thank you George and Bruce. My Rinji Seishiki did not come with a tassel and I had wondered. John C.

Never looked at mine that closely, however now it looks like a heavily black lacquered cloth of some sort. The pattern seems too tight for burlap but too prominent to be canvas (as we know burlap and canvas today). But depending on the weave, I suppose it could be either one of those. John C.

Matt: Was it standard on the RS models to attach the tassel directly or would it have been issued with a sarute of some sort? John C.

I believe the mark in the upper middle is the Tokyo Arsenal mark and the one on the bottom left is the Kokura inspection mark. Not sure about the one in the right...looks like the top part of the Nakano Shoten mark. John C.

Just a question...Could a high chromium content in the steel cause that effect if polished? John C.

Thank you! Now I see it. John C.

Hello: I'm having some trouble getting these. I think it is katakana "Kawanaki" in this orientation? Or do I have it upside down? https://shopgoodwill.com/item/169186010 Thank you for taking a look. John C.

I've never seen a seme-gane that shape before. John C.

Nick: Are the other parts marked with a number 34 or 43? John C.

Nick: It might seem silly, but wait until a day when the humidity is really low. The wood should shrink a bit and may slide out. John C.

Hello: I'm not one of the translators so take with a grain of salt but I think it reads Ando Kanemoto saku kore. WW2 smith. Looks like some civilian fittings have been added. John C.

Vincent: I agree with the above, that it is a greatly shortened blade. As Brian noted, look for turnback at the kissaki. The reason it is an issue, is because unless the blade is re-hardened, the tip is now being shaped into soft steel. This makes it an ineffective weapon. Just FYI. John C.

Easy: Got to forums - NMB general Japanese discussion - Translation assistance. Then start a new topic with your request. John C.

We have some miracle workers on NMB!! John C.

Definitely leaning toward a name now with the third kanji. It's not a lot of info about the sword, but it would be cool to find out. You can post that last pic over on the translation forum and see if anyone can figure it out. John C.

Vincent: Just my opinion, but it seems to be a reproduction. Notice the shape of the nakago is off; the shape of the kissaki is off; and the ha machi and mune machi do not line up. In any case, someone has taken a grinder to it to clean off the rust. Could be Japanese, though it has been treated roughly. John C.

Ah. Please forgive my ignorance. I don't own Dawson or F&G but should have asked about that first. No need to duplicate what's already out there. John C.

I wouldn't clean the markings off. You may also damage the end of the tsuka in the process if it swells or chips. The first set of marks looks like the number 3; can't tell what the other one is. It could also be a name (the number 3 is San, which could be the start of a name). John C.