Mark

Grey Thanks! any chance the taikan mentions what period or date etc those examples came from? Great books to have for reference Mark

Patrick thanks for the reply. I had checked the Koza but those example show his more "grass script" type mei, he used a number of different styles of signature from very flowing to the more traditional kanji, I am trying to find more examples of the traditional style like on my sword. The show has not been cared for, it was in trashed gunto mounts (they were nice at one time), the nakago looks to have had older rust and it may be the vet tried cleaning it a bit (he scratched the blade trying to clean it making it hard to see the hada). Looking at the nakago from the mune there is no trace of narrowing (as I might expect if a mei was removed), I think the condition of the nakago is just poor due to the care it received (or did not receive). Thanks again for the look, I enjoy trying to research things Mark

I am trying to research the mei on a katana I have. The blade is in poor condition so seeing the work in the blade is difficult, it does have a gunome temper that could be correct for the maker. Saneo seems to have changed his mei a lot during his career. I did check and his age does seem correct for the date made (age 62 in 1865), but that would have been available to someone faking the mei. I found a number of reference oshigata but as the mei style changes it was hard to find ones that were like mine. The closest seem to be in Zuikan Tomei Soran on page 167, I included a picture of the sword next to the 2 oshigata. Does anyone have additional oshigata done in this style? I would be interested to hear any opinions on the mei (good or bad - I am not thin skinned). This maker is Kiyomaro's older brother so there is some upside if it is genuine and would be worth restoring, but being a "big name" I realize there are probably a lot of gimei. Thanks! Mark

It looks like a Chinese fake to me. sorry

Yoshishige 1944

I remember seeing this sword. I thought the fittings were nice (but I am not info fittings) and the blade seemed to be a decent sword for the age. I only noticed one small spot I thought was possibly core steel but all in all the condition seemed better than most swords of that age. It seemed a nice package in good condition.

looks like a Chinese fake. usually they use kanji but they do not mean anything

Tampa show has past, now is the time to plan for the next Sword Show The Chicago Sword Show is April 26-28 2013 Hyatt Regency Woodfield Schaumburg IL Info can be found at http://www.chicagoswordshow.com and http://www.midwesttokenkai.com The show should be a bit different this year, things are changing. After years of living in Chicago and promoting the Sword Show Marc Porpora has retired to Arizona. Because of the distances involved he has invited Mark Jones to promote the Chicago Sword Show, one of the longest established in the US. Marc Porpora will help Mark to make the transition a smooth and positive change to insure the continuation of this show. Many of NMB members know me, I hope to expand the show and make positive changes. If there are any question contact me through NMB or at nixe@bright.net Thanks! Mark Jones

thanks! I will work on some research, there should be a number of references for Saneo or masao

I think this may be Sadataka but I am not sure. Any help with the inscriptions would be appreciated, the date is in grass script. I think it says it was made when the smith was 62 years old. Thanks mark

I am thinking there is a mistake in the way they show the sold price, a flag selling for $23k? maybe the decimal is moved 2 places, it would make more sense if the flag was $230 ??????

I am happy for Barry. Great that he recognized something special. I am glad the sword will be saved and cared for in the future. Shows that there are still good deals out there. I think going to a show is the best way to see and learn, and hopefully find a great bargain. mark

I enjoyed the show. I thought Bill and his staff worked very hard to try and make things go smoothly. I sold a number of items (maybe one was the treasure Barry found - if so good for him), some that were only a few hundred dollars each, so if you are looking for a "genuine" sword that is not too expensive a show is the place to see things hands on and find a bargain, much better than buying on eBay from pictures. I hope the Tampa show continues to thrive, we all need to support the shows help them improve.

John he posted this with the picture "Giboji Fusetsu Ni Todomarazu..... akin to causing a cut that seems like people falling off a bridge with no handrails.....or something like that." I took it that was the translation, maybe I misunderstood

I have seen a few of these, usually have Showa era blades with signatures or Masamune, Rai smiths etc

I mail swords to the EU regularly and have not had any problems. I do not know of any restrictions for Priority (or Express) mailing of edged weapons

how about this for a hint. Can you see the makers name in the row of large kanji? He is a Showa smith, there is plenty about him available, he was a Yasukuni smith who also used this mei

i think we recently discussed the signature on this sword. The shape of the kissaki give the impression of a poorly made blade or a poor repair. Maybe you could attend a sword show or meet with a club and have someone look at it in hand

Chris you are correct, good job. the 4th and 5th kanji are the makers name, the first kanji starts with "K" see if you can find a Mino smith with those 2 kanji, it is reasonably easy, the 4th kanji, when printed has 4 dots (or small dashes) at the bottom, when it is written those may not be easy to see

when it comes to militaria collectors buying gunto i agree with Mr Reid's comment, original is better than restored or repolished so if a sword that is, original, in good, complete, is best

PM sent

sad to see someone damaged the tsuba, it looks like nice soft metal, too bad the number 130 is scratched on it

Clive I had thought as you mention about uchiko enhancing a newly polished blade, but after talking with a couple of Japanese polishers their thought was that if the blade was properly polished then it is is its best condition when it leaves their hands and if uchiko is used to change that it is only diminishing the condition. I use uchiko on blades on old polish to help improve the condition if it has been scuffed or poorly handled.

i had about the same experience, had a seller say no return, etc. I just opened a case, within an hour i had a message from him and eBay, refund on the way. just make sure you document everything and communicate thru eBay message so they ca access it and see what has been said

Did you pay with paypal? in my experience if you tell him it is not as described and want to return it, and he says no (should do it through eBay messages not direct email) you just open an ebay case and they will credit you, you need to return it with tracking. seems ebay usually sides with the buyer