outlier48

Do you have any pictures of the blade you can post? If so, I would appreciate seeing them. Also, be sure to sign your name per the board rules - makes things a bit friendlier some how. Thanks, Charlie Brashear

I concur with Simon even through the second character looks much more "stylized" than the first. Charlie Brashear

Hi Matt - An unsolicited plug from me for Grey's kanji flashcard set. I got them last year at the on-set of my still very nascent interest in nihonto and they have been extremely helpful. Charlie Brashear

George and Koichi-san, Indeed, this one was a puzzler. I think we have settled on 桒名 (=桑名), which is read Kuwana as Koichi-san pointed out. (I assume this refers to the city in Japan that was one of the major port towns on the Tokaido and a major port on Ise Bay during the Morumachi period). Thanks to both of you for enhancing my learning, including recognizing the possibility of "spelling errors" and/or "strong personal ways of signing a mei". Charlie Brashear

George, my old eyes have been working hard on this one as well. Maybe I do need laser surgery. As for the second character, do you mean 冬? If so, then the first two kanji would be 桒冬? Do you have a suggestion as to the correct reading in this case (eg Kuwato)? Also, was this kanji combination used in the past as the name of a city or region of a province? I did not find it as a province name. Thanks in advance. Charlie Brashear

Andreas - I don't have anywhere near the experience or expetise as Grey and the others but my first impression was that the hi looked "wrong". The shape at the end near the habaki seems asymetrical to my untrained eye. Maybe it's just the way the sword was photographed. Also, it looked like this sword needs to be polished. Just my observations/thoughts. Charlie Brashear

Moriyama san, thank you - I believe you are correct. It's always a pleasure for this newbie to try to puzzle these out and then get your friendly input! Regards, Charlie Brashear

明けましておめでとうございます ! Charlie Brashear

Paul - Sure Charlie Brashear

Dave - call Grey and take him up on his offer to walk you through the process of removing the tsuka. Then please take pictures and post them on the board. We all recognize this will take time - no apologies needed. We are interested in more visual information. Once posted, you will receive plenty of further good advise on your sword. Charlie Brashear

Hi Paul - any pictures of the other side of the nakago? Also, any complete photos of each side of the tsuba? Charlie Brashear

If you search through the previous posts you will find the advise. It is basically to buy a lot of books (three that I found helpful are "The Samurai Sword" by John Yumoto, "The Japanese sword" by Kanzan Sato, and "The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords" by Kokan Nagayama) and read and study, study, study; join a nihonto club in your area and go to the meetings; go to shows when and where you can so you can see and hold swords. When you are ready to purchase you will find there are some dealers and members of this board who have a good reputation and who will stand behind what they sell. Please be sure to add your name to the post per the rules. Good luck in your adventure in nihonto! Charlie Brashear

Hi Daniel - the site is up and running. The piece in question is listed on page 3 of the 1200-2200 Euro section of the sword sale items. I'm sure the folks on the board will be able to answer you questions (I know very little about seki smiths). Charlie Brashear

Can you please post pics? Might be helpful and interesting. Charlie Brashear

No problem opening the .doc file with Word 2007. Earlier versions of Word might not work. The pic is clear and the tassels look great. Charlie Brashear

Thank you for sharing this very touching story and for returning the blade! I am certain that most if not all of us would love to be able to do the same thing. Unfortunately, this is virtually impossible as the surrender papers have usually been separated from the associated blades long before they come into our possession. What a kind and generous act. Thanks to all who participated and made it happen. Charlie Brashear

Hi all - Henry is quite right in his recommendation. Been there and done that. Fascinating little area with lots of shops, all dedicated to cooking supplies and lots of "plastic food" which you are familiar with if you have gone to a restaurant in Japan and seen the menu "display" in the window! I doubt any of you will become bored at DTI but you may find this a nice side trip before or after! Charlie Brashear

Hi Dwayne - Welcome to the wonderful world of all things Nihonto! As a newby myself I can assure you that this board will be a wealth of valuable information for you as you prepare to acquire your first sword. You may want to start by checking out the Articles section of this forum. Good luck in making nihonto connections in Calgary. I am certain there are collectors in your area. Charlie Brashear

Maybe my eyes are bad, too, or maybe I just don't have enough experience. Clearly the hamon does not follow the drawn in line, however it was done. It seems to me that he is saying that it might be possible to polish this blade to achieve a hamon with the pattern he has found in his reference material :? Charlie Brashear

Thanks to everyone who posted a reply! I am somewhat less confused than when I first posted this request . I will try to utilize each of your ideas as a comb through whatever printed and electronic inforamation I can find as I look for further clarification. Certainly gaining the knowledge that the themes of gourds, vines, webs, etc has been valuable. Here is a pic of the other side of this tsuba which I think shows the gourd and web themes very well. Sorry it took so long to post. I appreciate all the thoughtful input. Charlie Brashear

Hi Mark - Thanks for the input. I never thought of the web being made to look broken and I certainly did not see the gourds. A case of "lock on - lock out" on my part, I guess Frankly, I'm not certain if or how much I like this piece. I'll give it a bit more study now that I have your thoughts. Regards, Charlie Brashear

Michael - thanks for your input. You are probably correct on all accounts. Regards, Charlie Brashear

Hi all - would appreciate any input that can help me classify this tusba. I think it might be an Edo period Higo tsuba (perhaps from the late 1700's?). The color of the tsuba in the photo is reasonably accurate except that the gold inlay is richer on the tsuba compared to the photo. Texture is visibly discernable and is semi-smooth to the touch. I think the pattern is a combination of spider web (inlaid) and vines. The shape seems to be a slight variation of mokko gata. Edge is maru mimi. The dimensions are 7cm x 7.5cm x .4cm. There is no mei. Thanks in advance! Charlie Brashear

Neil - Not quite sure what you mean by "...understand a bit more..." - how 'bout pics of the nakago, kissaki, yokote and the entire blade, pehaps with a detailed description and some of the critical dimensions so there is something to go on? Charlie Brashear

Probably too late for professional help :lol: Please provide clear photos of both sides of the nakago (and maybe the entire sword?). Also, you may want to first take a "stab at it" by refering to the various kanji materials available under the "kanji pages" tab at the top of the page. Looking forward to seeing the photos! Charlie Brashear