outlier48

Ron - my sentiments as well. I think (hope) I have learned much from this interesting thread. I really do have to be careful of staking out a position and ignoring contrary information such as that which you were kind enough to provide. Many thanks! And, to get to see pics of some quite unusual fittings themes was a definite treat. Thanks to all who took the time to share. Charlie Brashear

Sweet! Charlie Brashear

I agree (but my experience is very limited). I have only seen one tsuba with the theme (and do not recall if the owl was looking forward or back over its shoulder) and other than the previously posted photo of the owl menuki, none of those at all. I will definitely be on the lookout for owl themed tosogu on my trips to Japan. Perhaps there is a type of owl that Japanese consider a lucky omen and anther they consider an unlucky one? Or, perhaps there are regional differences? I found one website that asserted, "In Japanese culture, owls are seen as either negative or positive symbols depending on species. Eagle Owls are seen as divine messengers of the gods while Barn or Horned owls are perceived as demonic figures". Charlie Brashear

Ron, I respectfully disagree. I collect owl related items so I have a built in prejudice. My wife - born and raised in Japan - tells me for Japanese people owls are omens of good luck. A search of Google seems to confirm this. I recall seeing an owl themed tsuba at Tetsugendo's table at the 2009 SF show. Maybe Mike or Cyrus has a photo they can post. Charlie Brashear

二曹 does seem to be sergeant first-class per my references. Moriyama-san, you have amazing eyesight, or is it vast experience, or both! Charlie Brashear

Hi Carl, I believe the characters on the burlap cover are 宇野 and the characters on the tsuka are 宇の. Both would be read as "Uno" with the two characters on the burlap being read as a single word - the family name, while the kanji and hiragana on the tsuka being read as U no, meaning belonging to "U". If I am correct this is a clever play on words. Japanese frequently ( I have heard ) will use the first part of their family name as a sort of nickname. So here we have the entire family name used in a kind of nickname form on the tsuka. Of course, I could be completely wrong and stand ready to be corrected by more knowledgeable members of the board. I cannot see the final kanji on the burlap cover to read it. Regards, Charlie Brashear

All - More info can be found at: http://www.kilroywashere.org/006-Pages/ ... regon.html Mark - Did you happen to take any photos you can share with the rest of us? Charlie Brashear

Shinsa? Charlie Brashear

Maybe (?) Mori saku - I cannot clearly see the first kanji. I definitely like the tsuba. Can you please post a picture of the other side? Charlie Brashear

Date is Tenmei shichi nen (1787). This is confirmed by the zodiac date 丁未 - hi-no-to hitsuji. Charlie Brashear (edit: expanded explanation)

B. Sakamoto, Glad to see you asked before purchasing. Please review the FAQ section at the top of the page and consider buying and reading (several times) some basic reference books on Nihonto. Follow threads on this forum. Join a club if possible. Go to shows. Examine and hold quality swords. Take every opportunity to learn about Nihonto. With all due respect, the "ready, fire, aim" approach rarely works well in this field. You will have ample time to spend your money on quality blades from reputable dealers and board members. Charlie Brashear

Hi Jean, Thanks for the correction. Rafael, my apologies! Still would like to see better pics. Charlie Brashear

Hi, Per board rules, please sign your name. Do you have any better photos of the horimono, or any photos of the entire sword, the hamon, the kissaki, and/or the nakago? Charlie Brashear

Rotated Charlie Brashear

Can't seem to follow my own train of thought. Concur that it resembles Nobumitsu(4) much more than Nobumitsu(5). Charlie Brashear

Date appears to be Showa hachi nen ni gatsu kichijitsu (a lucky day in February 1933). Charlie Brashear

Don't see a link on my screen BTW - I don't think the oshigata on Rich Stein's site matches this mei. Charlie Brashear

Hi Jason, Check out Rich Stein's oshigata for Nobumitsu (Chikushu) at http://home.earthlink.net/~ttstein/index.htm Charlie Brashear

Certainly possible! Charlie Brashear

The seed pods on the tsuba don't look like thistle to me. The leaves do look more like those of many thistle plants, though. Charlie Brashear

Perhaps Pepperbox Breadseed Poppy? Charlie Brashear

Moriyama-san, thank you for the correction and for the information on the bonji. Charlie Brashear

I find the bonji and futasuji-bi interesting. Do you recognize the bonji? Can you get better pics of these, particularly the bonji? This tanto might be very attractive in full polish, no? Charlie Brashear

Also, please post a picture of the shirasaya with the "label" and of any sayagaki. Charlie Brashear

Morita-san, Do you have an oshigata for this smith? If so, does it compare well with the mei in the photo? Charlie Brashear