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Greetings to all, I am researching a Fuchi Kashira, and a kozukahave come up with nothing on the fuchi, think is is a sad attempt to gimei? and regarding the kozuka, i can only come up with "Ishi.....) (the first character, the second one baffles me, maybe its just sloppy kanji. The ishi is written in a variant maybe the second one is to. but not certain. Any thoughts, help or input will be appreciated. Thank You in advance, Ed F

Greetings members thought I'd post more images and descriptions for your enjoyment or discussion, if you are so inclined. I'm a beginner and need all the help i can get and welcome that. The entire collection will be offered for sale at a future date. I am hoping for opinions, expansion upon or corrections to my post. Thank you in advance. Respectfully, Ed F

Greetings to members perhaps this will be of interest. I researched a sword and the mon for a friend. Will include a brief explanation. Ed F I have compiled information taken from text and also the internet resources in an effort to establish the lineage associated with the manji-mon located on the back strap (shown below as #1) of the Kyu-gunto mounted sword. It was not uncommon for individuals to brandish (2) mons. Sometimes one as a family and the other as an allegiance, award or clan member. In addition, the mon can have a spiritual (religious) purpose, not uncommon on weapons or to camouflage some other belief. An example of this is when Tokugawa prohibited Christianity, many followers that had mon in the form of a cross, modified them to conceal the cross and their religious persuasion. Hachisuka family mon (one of two), this one called a omote manji, not a swastika, may have been influenced by Buddhist belief which was a very powerful and popular influence at the time in Japan. This is a sacred Buddhist symbol most often seen on the Buddha though it appears around the world with different meanings historically. Note that the legs are opposite that of a swastika. According to one article I read, Hitler saw the symbol in Japan when he visited there and adopted it but reversed the legs of it because of its religious meaning. This mon was confirmed on the Hachisuka family burial monument which is considered to be the best confirmation. There were 5 variations found but this is clearly the Hachisuka format. I located it on his burrial site (grave), monument, this is considered best proof.

Dear Robert, Thanks for your response. I took a second look at the photos and noticed in the first one that the sword saya is in low relief obviously to provide a firm 'flush fit. Thanks again, won't be so quick next time, Respectfully Ed F.

Hi Robert, It looks nice to me (a beginner), but i have a question if you don't mind responding. It would seem to me that the high relief of the saya would interfere with the seppa and fuchi. Am i correct?, or were the spacers adapted or maybe it was not intended to be mounted? Just asking and trying to learn, as i said am a beginner. Respectfully, Ed F

Greetings to all, I am researching a Fuchi Kashira, have come up with Hirochika but not certain, I don't have or know if there is a Kao reference. I checked the known artists by this name (those available for review but no sigs.) Work looks comparable to Yoyuki? Thank You, Ed F

Thanks for the perspective Curran, I had not considered the collector perspective. I never compare others to myself but i must admit, when i purchase an item (of art), at an auction sale or otherwise, i condition myself and prepare to pay an amount, for the most part, what the item is worth to me. If it makes my heart sing, i push the bar sometimes but rarely with regret. Respectfully, and appreciative, Ed F.

Thank You Mr. Curran, didn't really think you would be here as well. Now I will do a little research, thanks very much, Ed F

Greetings to members and contributors, I thought this one would be easier but i'm not confident with my results though part may be correct. Can anyone confirm and correct this for me? I researching a Tsuba. I am coming up with Kiyohiro Naomichi??? or naoyuki// Thank you in advance, Respectfully Ed F

Dear docliss, John M, thank you for your participation. Ive only endeavored my interest and research efforts for several months and yes, i have a long way to go. I wanted to thank you for participating and pass on my gratitude, Thanks again Ed F., sorry for the delay.

Thank You very much Curran. I wonder if Dr Compton was aware that, probably so. Lesson learned (by me); don't assume the source (In this case Christies),is always correct because of their brand. I should have been more diligent confirming the information provided. Thanks again Curran, Ed F.

Dear Curran, As you requested I've attempted to capture the signature with two scans, if these are not clear enough, I will take a macro photo. That will take a days delay for me but let me know. Thanks for your help, Respectfully, Ed F.

Dear Mr. D. Stiles, thank you for your input very much. MHO was that I could not see any connection to Goto (based upon the tiny knowledge I have), but mentioned it because it was a footnote on a similar piece (stamped soft metal), offered by Christies NY in a previous sale. I thought to share that info but can't speak to its accuracy as a fact. In any event, i'm more comfortable with thinking that it didn't fit. I was forming the opinion that it may be momoyama and not earlier because of the two crests being present, (if that information source was correct.) I thank you for your participation again, respectfully Ed F Hopefully, other will benefit from this thread.

Dear Curran, Thanks for the participation. I am on the run right now but will scan a close-up of the signature later. Regarding Q80; Christies expert, Sebastian Izzard among others commented that "the Kao may have been added later". You can expect me to send it off this evening. Thanks again, Ed F

Dear Mr. David Stiles, Thank You very much for your input. I ended up with a probable of Masatsune- "Jingoro of Ito" (school), Bushu. This primarily because of the style of the two characters in his signature. I was unable to find a papered signature for him to confirm the details of it nor much information about him. In any event, I am going to explore the book you recommend and squeeze it into my budget hopefully. Have you encountered the name Jingoro of Ito, signing "Masatsune"?, I sorted thru a few to arrive at this smith. Respectfully, and thank you again for sharing your knowledge with me and participating. Ed F

Greetings members thought I'd post more images and descriptions for your enjoyment or discussion, if you are so inclined. I'm a beginner and need all the help i can get and welcome that. The entire collection will be offered for sale at a future date. Respectfully, Ed F

Greetings members thought I'd post some images and description for your enjoyment or discussion, if you are so inclined. I'm a beginner and need all the help i can get and welcome that. The entire collection will be offered for sale at a future date. Respectfully, Ed F

Hi Henry, If you desire I have all the Compton Catalogs and would be willing to scan any tsuba in it for you and send them along. Let me know I would be happy to do so. Ed F

Dear Curran, Thanks for the input. I will send a check off today for the book. Most of my library is related to nihonto and gendaito edged weapons. I plan on continuing to submit some images and descriptions, some of that i am confident with but would welcome a dialogue. I thought that at the least, the Tsubaka would enjoy seeing. Respectfully, and thanks again for sharing your knowledge, Ed F

Awesome, Thank you curran. Ed F

Dear Curran, Thank you for you input. You have given me ground for more research and study. Your comments were very resolute regarding Q89 and Q86 (you referred to as Q85.)-Ko-Kinko. If you can see your way clear if u have a chance, What feature of Q89 screams Higo to you? I can relate to the other pieces. Don't wish to be a nuisance just thought I'd ask. Thanks again for your input, Ed F.

Hi Mr. Henry Wilson and thanks for your response and help. Regarding the Q86 image, stamped soft metal, I examined the inner rim of the nakago ana that included a sekigana at the top, obviously copper. It did not compare to the other areas which seemed upon close examination to have a bronze or brassy look to it though very dark. The rim mimi looked to me initially, to be a fukurin but after much thought i concluded it was turned back and concluded that it may be brass or shinchu. Regarding the "Goto" reference, I read a detailed description by an expert for Christies NY, regarding a similar stamped tsuba but of yamagane footnoted his description with that memorandum so I tucked it away in my memory and considered it and wanted to share it. The design of the two crests give rise to me that this tsuba may have been ordered during the begining of Japans unification specifically while Nobunaga and Hideyoshi were in control. I would think it to be of that period as opposed to 18th-19th century. Regarding the first Tsuba it is definitely iron (magnetic), and i would not think shakudo. To me it reeks of a makers skill and possibly a special order. Respectfully, Ed F

Greetings to all, Below are three more Tsuba from the collection that i am seeking input on. images Q86, Q89 and Q90. Thank You, Ed F

Greetings to all members, I am posting images, opinions and questions regarding a collection that I am researching. I am hoping that any dialogue or communication including your opinions, guidance or advice will serve as a learning experience for the members and visitors to the forum as well as myself. In some cases I will post images of pieces and descriptions for your enjoyment. The owners of the collection (heirs), wish to sell the collection at a future date, yet to be determined which will be accessible on the web if you should have any interest. The estate administrator advised me that the collection was assembled from the late 40s until his (the collector-owner’s), death around 1993-4. Everything has been in storage ever since. I also wanted everyone to know that I am not being compensated for this effort other than the benefit I hope to receive from the learning experience. I feel that having the collection in hand to study was a great opportunity for me. I would like to thank everyone in advance that participates and beg for your patience. I would also like to extend my thanks to those responsible for their efforts maintaining the site. The images were made by means of an Epson V500 flat bed scanner, unless otherwise noted. No color correction was utilized however; brightness was adjusted to best capture the actual color and patina, with the item in hand. For reference and discussion purposes I have assigned an image number to the items, Q1,2,3 etc. Ed F Learning is; remembering to remember

Hello to all, I have recently come into a number of nihonto blades mounted in various urushi saya, of wakazashi, katana, tachi, tanto and yari. They have been in storage for many years and need to be cleaned. I am afraid to attempt a simple cleaning without soliciting an informed opinion and advice. Can anyone advise me how they clean their similar items and what precautions i should take? Thank you, respectfully Ed F