Kantaro

Thanks Conway! Indeed I was talking only about the parade swords. Any one has an example of an army one with a locking mechanism?

Are there Type 19 dress swords with a lock? Thought I had seen one with 2 rings and a lock...mumble. Thanks!

Welcome George.

Thanks for your reply Neil, Unfortunantly the antique codes, even today seem not to be known by Belgian customs at all...100 or even more than 250 years old always seem to be 25-30% costs/VAT. They seem not able to learn. I even wonder why Japan still asks to put these codes on the parcel. "Sword fittings", as description, even a tsuba or a silk bag or a copper seppa or a piece of wood or a piece of rope, identified by this name are send back the same day they arrive in Belgium. One of my parcels from Japan was lost at the Belgian customs for more than 40 days and only was recovered by miracle after a complaint with BEpost and JPpost. Nobody seems to be able to educate them and nobody cares. This is unfair and ridiculous indeed and this is why I am maybe going to get another hobby. Kind regards.

Dale has serious internet troubles, I hope he will be back soon.

Can anyone translate what he is saying to the turtle? Thanks.

I still like it.

MASAYUKI (正行), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Masayuki” (正行), real name Miwa Tomoo (三輪友雄), born August 8th 1895, he worked in Seki as guntō smith. Got confirmation that it is this one. Gifu is the modern prefecture name of Mino. https://www.warrelic...nto-original-786933/ https://www.ima-usa....riant=39369770532933 Thanks!

The horror...

Nice find David! I like it.

The first one seems too young (born in 1938...) so I suppose it is the second one? And no mentioning about "Mino Kuni"? Anyone knows?

Bruce do you know if he is in Markus book?

I do agree with you Colin, but I hope you understand my point of view that it would have been worse if this tsuba was already sold in the past.

Interesting is that this item was not sold yet in the past. That is a good sign. But it is strange different sellers from Japan try to sell this the same time. Are they the same?

Looks fine to me but depends what you mean with "worthy"?

I think you are right Colin, my vase came from Japan. But indeed the actual origine seems not simple...

I found a similar one on ebay: Pair Meiji Japanese Bronze Baluster Vase W/ Foo Dog Handles 19th Century Signed | eBay It also seems to have the same Mei...900 US Dollar? Seems overpriced a bit?

Hello, All info on this Bronze Vase is welcome. There is a Mei or a date on the bottom of the vase. The little bronze lion-dogs can come off. Is this a Japanese vase? Can anyone make something of the worn mei? How old is it? Kind regards.

Thanks for the translation! Indeed it is a Japanese modern imitation sword for Iai practice.

Can anyone translate?

Is this a marking on a modern decorative tang or on a modern Iaido tang and what does it mean? Thanks!

Indeed the BB "Backyard Blacksmith", as Dale calls him, is getting better. He is hammering the surface of some of his Tsuba now, and they do look a bit better... Did you buy that skull one Stephen to have a look?

Hi Jean, Do you think this would reinforce the Habaki? (make it stronger in any way?) Because maybe this was not done because the Habaki was defective and indeed I also doubt the theory of happening by accident. I also think this very little difference of being lighter in weight could not effect the balance of the blade. Maybe the smith just used what he had available? But that does not sound very Japanese... "a slim iron pin could have been hammered into the soft copper in order to stretch it for a slightly better fit." sounds as the best theory to me. Wonder if anyone has something similar? Kind regards.