outlier48

Morita-san and Moriyama-san, I am even further in your debt. I am truly grateful for all the information you have provided. I am considering submitting the sword and/or shirasaya to shinsa in August in San Francisco. Is this a reasonable way to determine if the sayagaki is genuine or not? Again, many thanks! I hope others have benefited from your expertise once again. Charlie Brashear

Hi Mark - Great photos! I love the detail. Sorry I cannot be of any help in answering your questions but I sure enjoyed the pics! Charlie Brashear

Morita-san, Thank you very much for your input. I would truly appreciate any additional translation for the (xxxxx) part(s) of the Sosho Sayagaki. If I understand correctly, Itakura Katsusuke is identified only by reference in the sayagaki as the late lord of Matsuyama. I have discovered much about this sword with the generous help of the members of this board, including you. I am grateful for all of the assistance I have received. Many thanks, Charlie Brashear

Morita-san, No, I was not aware of this. Thank you for pointing it out. In the translation of the sayagaki you previously posted I was unable to "connect the dots" and figure this out. Many thanks The areas of exploration have grown even greater as a result of this information. Charlie Brashear

Hi George, Thanks for the kind advice. I am doing as you suggest and each time I learn something about nihonto in general or this blade in particular I smile a bit and enjoy all of this even more. Charlie Brashear

Finally got access to a flatbed scanner and got (half-way) decent images of this wakizashi. I hope some day to be able to afford the polish it deserves. There are a few non-fatal (IMHO) flaws and clear signs of lack of care since the last time it was polished in 1935. Until then I will keep it properly oiled and learn what I can from it. Charlie Brashear

Somewhat "tired" and out of polish plum blossoms horimono - actually looks better than I seem to be able capture photographically. Charlie Brashear

Hi Justin - take a look at this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanji#When ... ch_reading Hopefully some of the board members with vast experience will have a more succinct answer! Charlie Brashear

Additional pictures of the blade and a detailed description might help. Charlie Brashear

David - Have you checked your PM or email? Some hints there to help you with the mei. Regards, Charlie Brashear

Hi David - I've reposted the pics - might be easier to read. George is correct - it's fun to try and to learn. Two character mei is smith's name. 7 character is the date. BTW - any pictures of the blade (hamon, kissaki, etc)? Regards, Charlie Brashear

Rod - Thanks for posting the links. This was simply amazing. Even in slow motion I had difficulty clearly seeing at least two of the "points". Probably due to a complete lack on my part of any knowledge in the field It sure looked to me like there were several "simultaneous" strikes in each match. I guess they off-set? Again, thanks for the links. Charlie Brashear

Raul - isn't this the same sword previously discussed in the following post? If so, perhaps they should be consolidated? viewtopic.php?f=9&t=7316 Charlie Brashear

Raul I think you will find this link very helpful: http://www.ncjsc.org/SF_token_kai.htm Through the SF Token-Kai you should be able to get the assistance you seek. Remember to take your time, be patient, and learn as much as you can (invest in books and go to shows) before taking any action to in any way "restore" the sword or its furniture. You will also find the dates of the SF show on the link. Regards, Charlie Brashear

Raul, any chance you might attend the sword show in the San Francisco area in August and bring your sword along to show us? Nothing like having a sword in hand and there will be lots of very knowledgeable folks there who would be very interested (and even some of us newbee's as well :lol: ). Congrats on your good fortune. Now the addition will set in! Welcome to "the club". Charlie Brashear

Hi Raul - thanks for posting the photos. Maybe it's just my eyes but most did seem a bit out of focus. :? Also, any chance of photos without the shadow lines? Again, maybe just me, but I think it would really help to show the blade in a way that we can fully appreciate it. BTW, did you receive the sword taken apart as you have shown in the photos? I am particularly curious as to why the tsuka-ito, F&K and menuki were removed from the tsuka. It may seem right now like the advice and comments are a bit harsh. However, as you spend time learning about nihonto you will understand that they are only meant to help you along in the process (and possibly to protect and preserve a valuable work of art). Regards, Charlie Brashear

I understand why you would ask the question. I had the same thoughts when I inherited a wakizashi - give it to someone who will display it and maintain it. However, i believe Piers is correct. This sword will (probably) be better maintained by an individual who will have "true pride of ownership" - you? - as opposed to an institution. One need look no further than the conditions of the tombs of Marx (private cemetery) and Smith (public cemetery) to see this "in action". I hope you will take the opportunity to purchase some books and attend shows to enhance your knowledge of nihonto. Please do post more pictures of the nakago as well as the rest of the blade for all here to see. (What you posted is intriguing). We'll enjoy them and you should get some excellent input for the knowledgeable folks on this board. Also, be sure to sign your posts (per board rules). Charlie Brashear

Hi Steve - May I suggest you check out the "Forum Guidelines and How To's" section for help on posting photos? You are probably trying to post pictures that are too large. I'm sure you will get responses to your request for assistance once the members here have photos of your sword. Charlie Brashear

Hi Fred - thanks for posting the pics. I prefer the shoami style (don't know why ) but enjoyed seeing both. Hope the collection continues to grow and you continue to post pics of your new acquisitions. Charlie Brashear

As a side note, this has an interesting tie into to this year's "Taiga Drama", but I doubt it will make more than a passing mention, even though John Manjiro clearly influenced some of the "key players" who also played an important part in the opening of Japan to the rest of the world. Charlie Brashear

Thanks, Stephen, quite interesting! It seems the original sword was stolen in 1977. The city was given a replacement sword. This link may be of interest: http://www.millicentlibrary.org/forms/M ... t_Tour.pdf Charlie Brashear

Picture is not clear enough for my newbie eyes. Please try to post a clear picture taken directly facing the mei. Can you provide any background on this sword? Also, please be sure to sign your name per board rules. Charlie Brashear

I think the kanji in question on the right side banner might be "sa". Charlie Brashear

Hi Peter, Stephen has a great memory - check out the subject post "Mekugi ana shape?" from October 2006. Guido Schiller posted as follows: "There are quite a few types of "non-standard" Mekugi-ana, called Hikae-mekugi-ana (控目釘穴). The one pictured is the Hyôtan-ana 瓢箪穴 (bottle gourd hole), and is indeed found often on Kamakura period blades like the Rai school (most fell victim to Suriage, but you sometimes can see them on Tantô). There's also a type with a squarish extention of the round Ana, called - you guessed it already - Kaku-ana. And then there are Keshô-ana, purely decorative, like the heart shaped I-no-me-ana, and the chrysanthemum shaped Kiku-ana." To my newbie eyes I think "Hyôtan-ana 瓢箪穴 (bottle gourd hole)" is a very good description of the unusual mekugi ana in the nakago of your sword. Perhaps others with more experience can weigh in. Charlie Brashear

Transverse strokes on 来 do look "fresher" or "cleaner" than the rest of the strokes in all three mei. Maybe its just the lighting? Charlie Brashear