Edward G

Thank you againn for this information, I could not have found it on my own. I appreciate it very much. Edward G

Thank You John, Ian, Bazza, and Uwe for the comments...... Attached are additional photos...A puzzling inscription. Additional opinions would be helpful. Thanks Again Edward G

Good Evening to all: Need some help. Please tell me what you think might be the inscription on this Menpo. Possible signature (Naga ???) Your thoughts and opinions are greatly appreciated. Edward G

Thanks to John A Stuart, Steve M, mywei,and Steven K...............I appreciate all the input. Edward G

Thank You Steve M, Steven K, and Stefan, your information has been quite helpful. However, the right side inscription dedication is still a bit of a mystery. If anyone else could add to or clarify, that would be most helpful. Thank You Edward G

Gentlemen: Attached are photos of a high grade tsuba with many characters inscribed on it. The makers' name appears to be Tamagawa Yoshihisa. However, this is all I have been able to determine. I would like to know the full translation of what is written on the tusba as well as any information on the maker if possible. Many thanks in advance. Edward G

Thank you Grey, always appreciate your input. Edward G

Good Evening all: Attached are some photos of a new Katana I recently acquired....I am having trouble translating the tang, and indexing when this sword was made. It looks like the following : Musashi Province XXX XXX Kiyo Suke? The katana will most likely need a restoration, so I am weighing the project and alternatives. The blade has a bit of rust, but the handle, tsuba and saya are in pretty good shape. The cutting edge is 27.5 inches, with no break in the temper line. It would help if I could pin down the who and the when. All opinions are welcomed Thanks in advance. Edward G

Ray: Thank you very much, You have solved my mystery. Edward G

The attached pictures are from a Katana Tang of a Shin-Gunto. Please help with the reading of it. It appears the last two characters might be Yori Masa. However, I am having difficulty with the rest of it, and I do not think this is not an old, old blade from the Muromachi or earlier period. Thanks Edward G

Thank You Grey and John for this information. I value your contribution to this subject. Any other opinions or thoughts on the Bonji Characters is very much appreciated. Thanks Edward G

Good Day to All: The pictures of this handle are from a really neat acquisition a friend of mine has. No sword just a handle. The Fuchi and Kashira are very unusual though. I thought others might appreciate it's old world iron quality. I am not sure what the religious symbols indicate.. If anyone out there could shed some light on the meaning of these symbols, I would appreciate any thoughts on the translation of the religious symbols and also some help with signature. Thanks Edward G

Thank You Stephen, Raymond Singer, and Bullet Sprinkler. I am still puzzled as to who exactly is this Smith in regards to researching It is highly unusual for one to sign his sword with only one character, but not unknown to happen. However, this appears to be the case with this blade.....Normally, one can find something about a sword smith, but in this case I am short on references. Please anyone reading give me some more information or clues. Thanks Edward G

Gentlemen: Attached are photos of a tanto, which I am trying to research and gain more information. The sword smith appears to be Yamashiro Tsugu. I have searched my referneces, but do not see anything on him in Hawleys or Fujishiro. Any information on what era this tanto may date, or information on the smith would be greatly appreciated. The nagasa is 11 5/16. Edward G

Thank You to Grey, Stephen C. and K, Morita..........Your translation help is very appreciated. Edward G.

Good Afternoon all: Please help with translation of Mei. Several characters I cannot get. I believe the smith's name is Munemasa, but I cannot get several of the other charactes. Thanks in advance Edward G

Thank You all, Sebastien, Malcolm, and George. The translation helps a great deal as to the purpose of this item, any further thoughts on what it may have been originally attached to, possibly a Menuki, or just name plate on item? Thanks Edward G

Good Morning all. Enclosed photos of an item which appears to be Brass with a lead filled backing 1 1/8 inch Long and 3/4 inch height. Looks like a tachi fitting or a menuki possibly. Really not sure what it may be. It was found as a separate loose item at a local gun show. Please give opinions and translation. Thanks. Any help is appreciated. Edward G

Thank you Chris, as always you and the NTHK-NPO Shinsa team performed an extraordinary service to the many who came for the purpose of gaining knowledge and certificates on their prized possessions. I know, not all items received a passing grade, but even the ones which did not pass, explanations and/or information was given on them as well Edward G

Thank you sooo much Morita san, I really appreciate it. Edward G

Excellent, Thank You Guido Schiller, just could not get that last character......The obverse side is another story, it looks completely difficult to me. Perhaps someone with more experience can enlighten me. Edward G

Good Evening all: I need some help with a Mei Translation. In photo A it looks like Noshu Seki Ju Ko Jima ? Masa Saku. The obverse side B I don't have any of it. Any help would be appreciated Thanks Edward G

Thank you both Steve & Mark. Your assistance is very much appreciated ! Edward G

Hello All: I hope someone can translate this cloth sword bag. The sword and sword bag was a war souvenir from the battle of Iwo Jima by a local Marine, whose daughter asked my assistance. The sword itself appears to be an oil tempered Katana measuring 25" nagasa. Further the sword contained in the bag appears to be a WW2 Showa Period Katana in civilian mounts with the tang revealing a showa seki stamp and a two character sword smith signature of HideToshi. The enclosed photos are of what I believe to be an original Sword Transportation Bag/Identification Label. It has a message on both sides of the cotton bag. Any assistance with the translation of this cloth will be deeply appreciated. Edward G

Robert Mormile & Sword Guy Joe, Thank You both for your effort....I appreciate the information. It will be interesting to see how a Shinsa team will evaluate the sword and estimate the age of this specimen. Thank You both again. This is very interesting. Edward G