Mark C

Very nice Chris, Always good to see before and after pictures. Regards

Hi Everyone, Hope you are all safe and well. In the boredom of lockdown I wanted to do some more investigation of a Gendiato katana I have. Mei of “Hizen no kami Mitsuhiro”. Was discussed here: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/25709-mitsuhiro-help/ I found an example at Aoi which is NBTHK papered and noticed the nakago end had the same deformed end. I’m looking for comparison mei examples, I have found various examples on the web but would kindly ask if any members have anything? Of the 5 examples I have found, the Mei's are all slightly different. My sword is on the left. Many Thanks in advance.

Thanks Paul, I will keep it with the Tanto as I consider it part of the swords history. I'm not to worried about having it re papered as I didn't pay much for it and it just would not make financial sense to send it to Japan. If any Shinsa group ever comes to the UK again I will put it in.

Great topic Paul and very interesting reading. After reading through I remembered a mumei Tanto in my collection that has an NBTHK Kicho paper (white) issued in 1979. The paper attributes the tanto to Aizu Kanetomo (school, I’m assuming). I had sort of forgotten about the paper as I regarded them as not reliable. What are people’s thoughts on NBTHK Kicho (White) papers?

Like it very much Adam, Odd but fascinating. Dave - I think it counts because as you say, not unknown but not common plus it was once in my collection

I wondered what happened to this lot when the said collector passed. This was only the tip of the iceberg of his spares collection.

Hi John, If you are anywhere near the Motorcycle museum this Sunday, The Birmingham arms fair is on, A fair few people from both Token societies visit the show. Regards Mark

Thanks Steve, Jean and JP, I will try to get some pictures and post them in the Nihonto section. Yes, I liked it and I don't have a Tanto of this form so added this one to my collection. In my mind I have it mid 19c with a gimei signature but I'm usually wrong as well lets see what others think. Regards

Hi JP, Hope you are well. Not had it more than 24hrs so not had time to take my own pictures yet but here is one.

Here is the nakago of the kogarasu tanto that the torokusho belongs to. I can see the Bizen Osafune ( 備前長船 ) and Kane but having trouble seeing the Mitsu kanji, What do you think? I'm going to say Gimei until I clarify otherwise. It also looks like someone (not me) has been cleaning Many thanks Mark

Thanks Uwe, I wonder if this is the prefecture that the torokusho was issued? Mark

Hi Everyone, Please can I have some help with this torokusho. I have got: Date - 6th April 1967 Tanto Nagasa - 14.6cm Sori - 0.2cm Mekugi ana - 1 Mei - Bizen Osafune Kanemitsu Would like to know what two the character stamp is above the blued out number? Many thanks Mark

Excellent, For those who didn't know of the Fuller and Gregory books, Here's a pic. I can't see the pink Oshigata book listed above: R. Fuller & R. Gregory 1985 ( I believe these were a limited edition) Regards

I've done simular but used rice glue.

Hi Everyone, I'm looking to mount an iron sayagata (Manji) fuchi & Kashira. Could I please ask for your thoughts/ideas for a pair of menuki that would be a suitable match. Thanks in advance All the best

Hi Bruce, No date on other side Regards

Hi All, I'm investigating a sword with a two character Mei "Ishido" Am I wrong in thinking it could be Ishido Teruhide. The nearest mei i could find is Ishido Saku. Has anyone seen just the two character mei without saku before? As always, your assistance is greatly appreciated. All the best

Seppa are fairly easy and a new mekugi is also easy. I would have no problems with rewraps etc as long as they are declared as a newly well wrapped tsuka looks a lot better than one with wrecked or missing ito For the few Gunto's I have, I have made up an info sheet for each that goes with the sword if/when sold. This sheet states what has and hasn't been done to the sword as well as the usual sword info of dimensions etc etc. All of my Gunto's have the original saya finish no matter how scruffy it is as this is the way I like to keep them. Don't get me wrong, it's nice to have a sword in minty fittings but it is also nice to have a Gunto koshirae that says it's been there and done it. I have been asked and have straightened, removed dents and repainted 2 gunto saya (They were virtually scrap due to the damage) but as Dave and Bruce have said, they just look too clean and crisp to be original.

Quick way to check if the Tsuka is original is to put the peg into the hole through the tsuka and see if it is a good fit. If it wobbles around like a stone in a bucket, It probably isn't original. Like Dave says, 8 seppa is possible and if the tsuka is original it would be fairly easy to sort out. Just my 2 pennies worth.

Hi All, Thanks for the reply's. After careful measuring regarding the nakago and all seems to be ok, I know it looks altered but the measurements say different. There are corrosion patches on the nakago in that area. I managed to get a picture of the Boshi, What do you think? I also would like to ask if this would be considered Kyo-Yakidashi? Again, thanks for the replies. Be careful out there.

This is the one you want.

Page 191 in the blue Fuller and Gregory's book has the same pictures + info

Hi David, Welcome to a wonderful place. Sword #1 I believe it's KIYOMIYA, a showa period Gunto smith. Real name Noguchi Tetsu. Born September 6th 1911. With a Seki stamp there is little chance of there being any Hada BUT there is always exceptions to the rules. Sword#2 I will let the more learned people help you. Regards

Hi All, Many thanks for your comments. As usual, I'm way off There is definatley something going on with the nakago regarding the shinogi line, Can't see any reminance of a signature. I have been looking for Mino hamons that are the same/simular but as of yet haven't found any. Looking at the Boshi, the picture above looks suguha but the other side isn't. It is also a right pig to photograph but I will get there. Will have this one polished sometime in the future so hopefuly will make identifying the keys features easier. Anyways, back to the books to research the Kanesada School. Again, Many thanks for your help. regards

Hi JP, Arghh, It would seem that i'm having trouble with me numbers now Sakihaba is actually 27mm not 17. Torii Sori Cheers