Mark C

The Birmingham Arms fair website has some pictures although I think they are a few years old. See you and others there Colin Regards

You are correct Jean, Just going back through my notes and learning points, found this: " The sanbon-sugi of the second generation consists of gunome having rounded heads in places making the hamon not totally uniform throughout the blade; very sharply pointed heads characterise the works of later generations." Mine clearly has pointed heads. I wish the polish was better to give me a few more clues.

Thanks Kirill. Thanks Mark, They are indeed very similar, got me going back over my notes and questioning everything again, Oh how I love this hobby All the best

Hi Everyone, Picked up this little wakizashi although the polish isn't a good one (nothing to do with me), I think it could possible be a Mino Kanemoto school wakizashi because of it's sanbon sugi hamon. I have read that there is big differences in regularity of the sanbon sugi, Boshi differences and bottoms of the troughs close to the cutting edge between various generations. So if I had to make a call I would call Magoroku Kanemoto, latish shinto. Or i'm barking up the wrong tree, possibly in the wrong forest. What do you think Nagasa is 15 11/16" Your help is very much appreciated.

Thanks Robert, Message sent

Hi Robert, Sorry can't open any of the pictures

I'm normally a positive person but I'm starting to believe the UK is finished, Does not matter who governs it, they are all crap and this bloody pink and fluffy culture we are being forced into. So, I can use and keep smallbore and full bore rifles for target shooting but might not be able to keep swords - Absolute madness All the best

Very interesting Bruce, My one is a big chunky blade with a nagasa of 25 3/4" Width at Machi - 1 3/8" width at yokoti - 1" I manage to get a good close-up picture of the square using an ear wax removal camara. If you need any other info, let me know. All the best

Thanks Bruce, I also thought about a fittings shop especially as the other fittings (tsuba, seppa etc) have 647. I noticed while taking the photos the marks on the oppersite side of the nakago (Not sure how I missed them before ) The tang 647 has been struck lightly I think. Regards

Hi All, Got a Kai gunto with the pictures stamp on the bottom of the Nakago. The is also the number 647 stamped into the nakago which happens to match all the fittings that also have 647 stamped into them. Has anyone seen a stamp like this before? Thanks in anticipation Regards

Thanks Everyone, I have learnt a lot regarding this tsuba. On the subject of ducks, could the other shape be a Diving duck? I only say this as I have read that normally they are in pairs and on my tsuba I only have one complete duck on each side plus one of each shape?. Regards

Thanks Dale and Mauro, Tsuba does have a fukurin and is non magnetic. I have looked at the inside of the Nakago ana and can see evidence of three layers so i would say construction is sanmai. Opposite side below:

Hi All, This tsuba is from my latest sword buy, Would be nice to try and identify it. As I know very little regarding tsuba, Could I please ask for a little help? Material - soft (Copper?) Width - 2.5" Height - 2 7/8" Subject - I believe it is a heron over waves with sea shells. The nanako isn't the best I've seen. Thanks in advance.

Hi Perry, Nice looking sword. Can I ask who is doing the wrap please? I.ve had all matching themes and some that don't match at all, I think it as Jean says, Us westerners do not always know or understand.

John, Can Recommend Mike Hickman-Smith, Brilliant craftsman. Regards

Brilliant, Thank you Thomas Regards

Hi All, I have already got the mei, mekugi ana, sori and nagasa but am struggling to get what is written in the classification box (circle in blue) which normally says if it is a tanto, wakizashi etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated Regards Mark C

I will be there to give you a hand.

Hi All, Slightly clearer picture. All the best

Thank You Steve, Much appreciated. Have not got many books on tsuba but found Ichiryu and Choshu Tomoyoshi on the web, Which this obviously is not. Again, Thanks All the best

Hi Everyone, I have purchased this tsuba along with matching fuchi & kashira for a display project. I think the mei is Tomoyoshi and would like to know what others think please. There also seems to be the start of another kanji which is obliterated by old rust. Many thanks in advance

Went into the shop once years ago and was treated like a piece of sh1t, never been back since. Regards

You take off the lower fittings from the saya and slide the ashi down the saya (It will require some force) but as John has said there is every chance you will ruin the paint finish on the saya Regards

Excellent shooting, Wish I could group like that at 25 yrds

Hi Lee, Birmingham Arms fair is coming up (20th November) and there are various dealers in attendance: Japanese warriors Peter York JC Militaria Liverpool Militaria, Doesn't stall any more but Bill normally attends and will bring anything you fancy a look at with him. Plus at least a couple more who's name I don't know. Regards