Mike Z

Seems entirely reasonable. Would be fairly straight-forward to implement. Some number of "free" listings (concurrent, within a time frame, or even in totality), followed by required tiers for additional listings. Not to muddy the water, @Brian but just to lift your spirits a bit... I bought a gold membership on day one and felt that I recognized the value of that membership in the first evening, when a collection of knowledgeable members helped me out with identification. Since, I have spent hours poring over old threads, absorbing and learning. Don't let a couple of hacks get you down. FWIW, even a newb like me can see it's a strong community, unrivaled, IMO, from the standpoint of friendly, knowledgeable people freely offering their time.

John, I know this post is +5 years old, but it is new to me as of this morning. Thanks so much for the link to the story of Yamamoto's sword by Sadayoshi Amada. Lovely read.

Hi @Brian & @Mark, I rearranged my schedule and am planning to take both of the heirloom blades to the Chicago show at the end of April. I have been corresponding with Chris B about squeezing them in for Shinsa. However, my question... I have been doing a lot of reading the past few days, and I'm wondering if the blades are in too bad of condition for Shinsa? The cost is a no-brainer... but I don't want to offend with the very poor historical upkeep, nor waste their time with blades that cannot be evaluated. Honestly, I will seek polishing & restoration for both, regardless... and what I am really looking for in Chicago is just a more definitive understanding of their origin. Perhaps I can learn this at the show, while forgoing the Shinsa? Thanks again for all of your time and consideration, Best, Mike

Brian, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide feedback! I really appreciate the insight. Wow! That is exciting, and surprising. Can you enlighten me as to what your trained eyes see, which leads to the blade as definitely antique? Also, I know that I need to have these blades professionally appraised, in person, to get a better understanding of their origins, and potential for restoration. But, from the pics, in your expert opinion, does it appear to be a candidate for restoration? Anything more I can / should be doing to preserve it today? Thanks again, Brian for your time and consideration, and for creating this amazing forum! Best, Mike

Thanks Mark. I would love to attend. I'm actually in Iowa, only about a 5 hour drive from Schaumburg, and one I make somewhat regularly, as we have an office in Carol Stream. unfortunately, my wife is out of town on business that weekend already. But, I will see what I can do.

Hello, I'm a new member, and gold subscriber, who had posted for the first time on 4/5, regarding one of two family heirloom swords I inherited from my grandfather. This is the other of the two heirloom swords. I realize there is no Mei to translate on this sword, and I was reluctant to post in this forum, but wasn't sure if "identification help" fit better here than in the general discussion forum? To my entirely uneducated eye... I think this sword is Shin Gunto. The shape of the blade, shape of the nakago, the overall length (36 3/8 in), blade length (26 1/2 in), seem to be perfect matches. The braided tsuka, and menuki threw me off this thought a bit, but from what I am reading, it is not entirely unusual to see a braided tsuka with a gunto blade? I also had an outside thought that it may be possible the tsuka's of these two swords may have been swapped at some point, but have no way to confirm or refute. Thanks again for you time, and consideration! Any help in furthering my understanding of these heirlooms is much appreciated! Best, Mike

Hello! I'm a new subscriber... a long time appreciator of the beauty of Japanese swords, but an absolute novice in my understanding of them! A few years ago, I inherited two Japanese swords from my grandfather, who served in the Pacific theater in WWII. The swords unfortunately, are in what I believe is relatively poor condition, having lived for decades in a basement, without proper care. I have done what I can to at least halt any further deterioration. I definitely have the Nihonto bug. I am reading a few recommended books, but have everything to learn. I posted in the Translation Assistance forum 10 days ago, and was absolutely stunned at how quickly a whole collection of knowledgeable members replied. I learned more about one of these swords in a few days than I had in a few years of spare time fumbling around the internet. To say I'm grateful to and humbled by the knowledgeable members of this forum would be an understatement. I came to these forums simply interested in understanding more about the origins of these heirlooms, but have found myself fascinated by a number of the ongoing dialogues. Thanks to all the experts freely offering their time in this community. Glad to be here! Best, Mike

Hi Brian, John & Jean, Thanks so much for the clarification. Again, I can't tell you all how much I appreciate your tie and your feedback! If you all would be so kind, I have a few more questions... I have been oiling and wiping the blades with mineral oil, and a microfiber cloth, every ~ 3 months. They are stored in a relatively dry office, in the mid west. Is there anything more I should be doing to maintain the blades? I don't think that I can make the event in Chicago in April, but I am planning to get a professional opinion about this sword. Is there a good reference schedule as to where and when shinsas are happening in the US? I am posting a few more pics, in the event that anyone is interested in seeing the rest of the sword. I have always thought these blades in relatively poor condition, but I'm entirely unsure if they are beyond restoration. Any opinions as to what polishing and restoration might do for this sword? Thanks so much for your time and willingness to share your knowledge! Best, Mike

Thank you John & Bruce! So my entirely uneducated opinion is that the signature on my sword is sort of "messy", and just not as precise as those authenticated as Suishinshi Masahide. I am also reading and learning more of the historical significance of this smith, the rarity of authenticated blades from this smith, and the prevalence of gimei bearing his signature. I think the prevailing opinion is that this is likely an inauthentic signature, correct? That said, can anyone enlighten me as to what that means in the context of the quality and likely age of the blade? All I can say for certain is that this sword was unaltered from the time it arrived in South Dakota in 1946. Does the fact that the omote is gimei mean that this still may be an older blade from a less historically significant smith? Or does this indicate that the ura date is also falsified, and this could be a mass-produced military blade? Again, my grandfather has passed, and these swords are treasures for my family, regardless. My inclination is to have them professionally polished and restored to the extent practical, regardless (I may have more questions on how to go about this in another thread!). But, knowing the difference between a blade from the 1800's vs one mass-produced in the 1940's will help inform what is a practical investment in restoration! Thanks all so much for an enjoyable night of learnings! Any further guidance is much appreciated!

MORIYAMA, Thank you so much! This forum is simply amazing. I have learned more tonight than in a year of spare time muddling, and trying to interpret individual kanji. I am so appreciative of your time, and help!

Apologies... I have close-ups of the kanji, but when I attach them, they seem to get flipped upside down.

Mark! Thank you so much! That is fascinating, and yes, with that information, I find various points of corroboration online. The signature in the following site for instance is a spot on match. https://markussesko.com/2014/02/24/the-tsunahiro-connection-of-suishinshi-masahide/ I had attempted to muddle through interpreting the date on the other side of the nakago, and thought that one possibility was 1804. But again, I have no idea what I'm doing, and didn't want to even mention my interpretation. My understanding is that gimei means an inauthentic signature. I'm attaching a few pics of the other side of the nakago, in the even that it may help with further identification. Again, any assistance in understanding this mei is greatly appreciated!

Hello. I'm a new subscriber, and thus far have been reading other posts and generally marveling at the knowledge and helpfulness of this forum. To say that both are the best I have seen in my years of seeking same, would be a huge understatement! So, in advance, whether you can help me or not, thank you all for taking the time to help the posters in this forum. In context, I am a long time appreciator of Japanese swords, but an absolute novice in my understanding of them. I am reading a few recommended books, but have everything to learn. A few years ago, I inherited two Japanese swords from my grandfather, who served in the Pacific theater in WWII. The swords unfortunately, are in what I believe is poor condition, having lived for decades in a basement, without proper care. I have done what I can to at least halt any further deterioration, and I am simply interested in understanding more about the origins of these heirlooms. The first sword has mei on both sides of the nakago. Images of the first (most readable) side of the nakago, and the kissaki follow. I have many more images of the other side of nakago, which is more difficult to read, but I think I would need to post those separately or link to them. Thanks again for your help, best, Mike