Mark

the mei style seems like those that the SS Koza volume explain were made circa 1930, some were made by good smiths. That is just my opinion based on what I see

Xander, You mentioned ". I plan on doing some research before making my next purchase, and its my birthday at the start of next month, so might be able to con the family into buying me some literiture to have a read through." You should check out Grey's website http://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/ he has a lot of books on tsuba. Grey is known to the members of the NMB and has a great reputation. If someone is looking to get you a gift that is the place to go.

Hojoji (kunimitsu)

I have no problem with newbies asking simple questions, we all start somewhere and if they really want to learn i want to encourage them. I find it frustrating when we are "used" by people just coming by to 1. get free information to use it for commercial gain, or 2. people who misrepresent what/why they are asking, and 3. those who use us as a free translation service with no effort expended themselves. It would be considerate, or people would show good manners if: 1. Let us know up front why you want the info and what you are using it for. If it will be for sale let us know up front and maybe offer it to the board. 2. Be honest and up front, just seems the right thing to do 3. I ask for help with translations plenty of times, and i am happy to help where i can. But at least give it a try and let us know where you are confused. At times i try and help and give clear hints and lead the person to where they can at least get some info and come back, that way they learn. And if you ask us to do something lengthy offer a small donation to the board, it shows you value what you are getting. I try to support the board with comments and what little knowledge i have and send a donation from time to time and will continue, but i see Peters point, in the past it seemed there was more discussion back and forth, more learning, now it seems there is more "just give me what i want now". Maybe that is a reflection of the times what with texting and social media vs. the old ways of talking and meeting etc.

from the pictures i think $3-500

could it be Tsunehiro? I do not think it matters much, the sword does not appear traditionally made, it is a military "gunto" sword. A genuine example of a WWII sword but not something handmade by a well known, trained, swordsmith.

check out Danny's site it is very helpful with a lot of what you want http://www.nihontocraft.com/japanese_sword_papers.html#japanese_sword_4 (go toward the bottom) after getting some of the basics let us know what else you need (like attribution) you will learn a lot working through it

Steve I live near Toledo OH. If you are ever coming this way let me know, I would be happy to spend some time with you and help you understand the sword

weird http://www.ebay.com/itm/L-Waki-Fujiwara-Ikutoshi-Saya-Almost-Katana-size-NBTHK-Hozon-paper-59-9cm-/252065710904?hash=item3ab0498338&nma=true&si=2w0D%252FmW%252FAKi9twiZ2O3xJMhrjhE%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

here are some

Martin Maybe. That is why I asked the length, he said it was a katana but without the nagasa we do not know. I think it is "possible" to be signed katana mei even if a very short katana.

what is the nagasa? The sword is signed katana-mei, Tadahiro signed his katana tachi-mei.

No Shu Ju Amahide saku

poor focus, hard to read. Sadayuki

You can contact an agent, Robert Hughes has a relationship with polishers. Ask him what the turn around time would be, I have found he is accurate. Chris Bowen may also have a relationship with craftsman in Japan and he could tell you their turn around time

I have a kyu-gunto katana. It has a symbol on the end of the handle. I do not think I have seen this before. Does anyone know the significance? Is it a "Mon" just located in a strange place? Or does it have some other use or meaning? Any thoughts appreciated

it is a WWII sword. That label on the saya is from a Showa era manufacturer/shop. The blade is not traditionally made. The label is not uncommon, we have discussed it here before

Thank you Morita san . That gives me some direction. The blade may be gimei but if genuine I need to check the Kyo branch and a smith working in either 1628 (seems a bit early), 1748, or 1868 (seems a bit late).

I added pictures on another thread http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/17023-help-please-with-translation/ as I needed some translation help. It seems whatever it is it is worn off in spots and still there in spots. I hope the pictures show it clearly enough

I have a wakizashi, ( I posted about the lacquer on the nakago in another thread). Anyway I can read Tamba (no) Kami Yoshimichi but not sure the first 2 kanji above Tamba. Also the other side has an inscription, maybe a strange date, or something else. Any help with the first 2 kanji and the other inscription appreciated. I showed both sides of the nakago horizontally but did the inscriptions that I need help with vertically to make it easier to read Thanks!!

tried acetone, did not do anything. I think this may have been on the nakago for a long time p.s. thanks to administrator for editing the title

I have a Shinto Wakizashi, it looks like someone, a long time ago, coated it with paint, probably old lacquer, maybe urushi. Anyway i want to remove it. I tried soaking in lacquer thinner, no help, tried carefully using "stripper" and still nothing. For the blade it can be removed by a polish. But the nakago is an issue, i can't figure out how to get all the lacquer off the nakago. There are parts where it is gone, maybe rubbed off but some spots are here and very stubborn and i do not want to disturb the patina. Any ideas how to remove very old lacquer?? I know some old tsuba were lacquered and maybe it is good to leave those as found but for the sword i would prefer to remove it. Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated

Mr Celto Please note forum rules require you sign all posts with your name. Welcome. Yes it looks like a tachi. The blade appears unsigned but the mountings are tachi type so the sword as a whole can be described as a tachi but the blade itself is a daito or long sword currently mounted as a tachi. It is hard to say a lot, other than it looks "real", from the pictures. It probably dates to 1800's or earlier. Where are you located? Any chance you are within traveling distance of one of the sword shows?

sounds like you are having a hard time... The makers side is not too hard, although the last kanji is hard to see in the shadow. Here is a hint that may help, if you work it out you will benefit from learning. The first 2 kanji are a province, you can look up provinces in kanji and figure out which one, there are not that many. The third kanji is Kami meaning lord (title) so that goes with the province, 4 and 5 are a clan name, there are only a few and this is the most common so you will find it easily. The last 2 (6th and 7th) are the makers name, the first kanji of his name is one of the most frequent so easy to identify, the last kanji is hard to see in the picture, I could make a good guess but with the title you can check a list a titles and see who had that title and used the first kanji in his name... You will find doing it you will learn and help you do it the next time. Someone may just post a translation but I think it best to try and learn first. The other side will take some time and it is hard to see clearly, but the name side is the most important as it gives you a direction for research let us know how you do and we can guide you some more

maybe Tadayoshi saku