Mark Green

Hi Gang, At first I was thinking Tobi-yaki. And that could still be the case. That is why I was wanting some better pics. You would think, if it is utsuri, the hamon would be some big choji or something like that. But, you never know. I don't think it is a problem with the steel. it seems very uniform, in it's way. A bit disconnected though. But that could be due to the times it has been polished. Does utsuri always carry clear through the jacket steel???? Or can it be polished away? Steven, Now that you have the sword in hand, can you follow the pattern all the way down the blade? Or mostly? Very interesting sword, have fun with it. Keep working on some pics. Mark G

Could you explain on this Telling from the pictures, it looks like perfect utsuri to me. What makes you think so? reinhard All the other swords I have ever seen signed Sa, had this same look. Mind you, it has not been that many. By 'organic look'. I'm just using non Nihonto terms that I have formed in my own mind. Very natural looking, with all kinds of stuff going on. Sorry if I confused you reinhard. From the pics, it sure looks like utsuri to me too. I was joking, geeze :? Did anyone else miss the joke? Mark G

Could be I suppose? I would think though, that the tools, and facilities, to work with iron, and alloys, would make this very restrictive in 14c-16c Japan, and anywhere. But I wasn't there I would think it very likely, that if a town was a big sword making center. There would be quite a few 'side' shops, making fittings for swords. But, I would think those same guys made armor parts, and other things as well. Making them Katchushi Mark G

Keith, For sure there were a few smiths out there making tsuba, back to the beginning. But I would bet the number to be few. That is why I said 'likely' Mark G

A friend of my father once told me that there were many 6' high piles of Japanese swords for the taking at the end of Okinawa, smaller piles on Iwo, where there were so few Japanese officers. (still likely in the many hundreds) There is no telling how many of these were 'big name', or very old 'big name' swords. At least, many of these have found there way to us. Just think of how many 'big name' swords went down with sailors. (many thousand) Or, were blown to bits, or melted down by Mao after the war. I guess it was a good thing they made so many. Mark G

Hi John, That is a loaded question for sure. Most books will say 'Armorers, or tsuba made by armor makers or sword smiths.' Now, if you think about it for a moment. Before the large tsuba making schools of the Edo period, the only people that had the tools, and know how, to make a tsuba, were very likely armorers or sword smiths. So, it is very likely that any tsuba made pre Edo, was Katchushi. Katchushi seems to be labeled more to a style. Any old tsuba with a nice raised rim, and a thin plate seems to get that label. No rim, with a bit thicker lens ed plate, and they seem to get the Ko-tosho label. But it is very likely that a smith or armorer made both. Not many others would, or could, work iron. That is my thoughts on it anyway. Mark G

HI Steve, Interesting looking sword. There were more like dozens of guys that signed Sa. It was a very big school. Your sword has a nice organic look to it. Some spots of nice looking hada. I wonder what is going on with these dark areas in the ji. Surly not utsuri. Is it just dark spots in the steel? When you get your sword, take some good close shots I would love to see what is going on here. Rest assured that it is a old sword. Mark G

The spot I was worried about was here. But it may just be a scratch.

Thanks guys, I'm sure Matt will be happy. I just knew you guys would like to see these. Mark G

Very nice. Not to be an alarmist, That isn't a crack I see in the hamon is it. Maybe just some fuzz. Mark

Mark, I'm with the other guys. Save your money. You may want to look up what it would cost to just try to paper all that. Then there is no guarantee that it will paper. I feel that with sword fitting in general, unless you are pretty sure you have something very special, there is little point in getting papers. Does your Koshirae match? I can't make out the kozuka, or menuki. While I like your tsuba, I'm not sure it would match as part of a Koshirae? Mark G

Hi Gang, Matt was over this weekend and had a very cool F&K set. After looking at it for a few moments, I figured out it was a 16 plate Kabuto. Any guesses on the school would be helpfull. Shakudo, with shibuichi inlay rivets? Thanks,

Arnaud, Pics of you whole sword would help a lot. Like Joe said. This is a very common signature.

Old and used. Hard to say if it can be saved. The pics tell it all. In all, quite a mess. It would be very risky at best. Mark G

Great looking tsuba Mike. I just love that very delicate sukashi. That had to be a bugger to do in period. I like the swirl or whirlpool? as well. Very pleasing to look at. Thanks for sharing. I agree, the site has some good looking tsuba. I feel it would be fun to talk about them some. We may want to ask the proprietor if it is ok? Mark G I like this one a bunch.

Pretty, But he sure likes to slap that inlay where-ever-what-ever Not sure I like that. He seems very skilled at it though. Mark G

Wouldn't that be wonderful Carlo I fear that WAR is a thing that is in the genetics of all humans. Add religion in there, that seems to be genetic as well, and the future for our grandkids looks dim. It doesn't seem likely that our wisdom will ever catch up with the new ways we find to kill one another, to hate people, because someone tells us 'god wills it', to want what others have. Maybe when the machines take it all away from us in the end? Will they love Nihonto as we do???

Hi, If it has not been removed in 50+ years, it could be a bit tough. Keep trying the wrist bump. It may loosen up. If not, a bit more force may be needed. This takes great care!!! Please be very careful. This sword is a big razor blade. Or just wait until someone that knows more, can help in person. Be sure there is only one peg holding on the hilt. Mark G

Hi, Your sword looks real enough. Have you researched how to remove the tsuka (handle)? That would be a great start. Then send some good pics of the bare Nakago (tang) That way we can 'see' the swords age, and possibly it's maker, much better. Mark G

I think the F&K are Shibuichi (copper/silver) with some kind of gold wash applied. I have been told they are likely modern. Hand made. But, newer than Edo. The menuki seem Edo to me. They are very nice to my eyes. I look forward to having a bit more time to have a good look. It looked like the shi shi are copper with gold foil. The hotai, look to be shakudo, gold inlay, and silver inlay. Mark G

A nice set of F&K that Jason brought over as well. I like these a bunch.

Yup here they are Both are very nice! Sorry I didn't take pics of the back. Next time. We had the tire thingy going on :x

Great post Reinhard. I think that just about covers it. eh gang?

It is a tsuba. As Brian, and Reinhard have noted, very likely a amateur Western artist. Mark G

Very pretty. I would say not very old. Shinshinto at the oldest. I would think gendi I once had a sword that could have been made by the same guy. It had a fake shinkai signiture on it. It looked just like this. Is this sword signed? It is very pretty! Nice get. Mark G