Edward G

Thank you Chris & KM for the information, I appreicate the comments and discussion. I knew it was Showa Period....do you happen to know what the Kanji on the blade says? Edward G.

Good Afternoon all: Please help with Tanto Inscription on Blade Itself (above Habaki).....Unusual Shape of blade appears to be possibly Kissaki-moroha-zukuri, and appears handmade with Hi (Horimono) on both sides of blade. Thanking you for any information in advance Edward G

Thank You Moriyama, you are a scholar and a gentleman!! Edward G.

Good Morning All: Please look at the picture and verify the date and maker's name. I believe it is dated "around Kyoruko or Kyotoku ? " The maker is Bizen Yoshie KiyoNori ? Many Thanks !!! Edward G

Certainly Dirk: Attached are photos of the blade. How does it compare? Years ago, I owned a Katana by daddy YoshiMichi, and sold it like a fool.....Wish I still had it now.. Edward G.

Thank you to all who contributed to the discussion. Chris, Dirk, John, Jacques, Robert, & Moriyama. It is hard to understand the complexities of this hobby sometimes and it takes much research. I am grateful for this forum! However hard the complexities the rewards are very satisfying for me. It appears I have a very good 1st Generation Misina Kane Michi. Although shortened, still quite rare & valuable to me if not anyone else. Thank You. Edward G

Thank you Dirk for your help & interest. Attached are two close-ups of the Mei Edward G

Thank You Jacques for your reply, I have studied this previously, and my indications are that this is the descriptive Settsu province KaneMichi. The blade matches the description in Hawleys Large midare,Itame, Gnome-choji-as well as-the method of his signature. All this aside, I am wondering if the descriptive character beside the date on the papers puts this smith outside of the time period for his works? Quote from Jacques referenced website: ( Reference Only - No plagurism intended) http://www.nihontocraft.com/Mishina.html Tango (no) Kami Kanemichi　丹後守兼道 1) Kanemichi, 1st generation, 1648, Settsu, ryo-wazamono, (Kiku) & Ichi Tango (no) Kami Naomichi (菊紋) 一 丹後守直道, Tango (no) Kami Kanemichi 丹後守兼道, Tango (no) Kami Fujiwara Kanemichi 丹後守藤原兼道, Mishina Tango (no) Kami Kanemichi 三品丹後守兼道, Mishina Tango (no) Kami Fujiwara Kanemichi 三品丹後守藤原兼道, Mishina Tango (no) Kami Naomichi 三品丹後守直道, Tango (no) Kami Fujiwara Rai Naomichi Saku 丹後守藤原来直道作. He's the third son of the first generation Kyo-Tanba. He was born in 1602. He died in 1672 at age 70. His early name was Naomichi. He received his title in 1625 and moved to Osaka. Ji-hada is ko-itame with ko-nie and chikei. Hamon styles are o-gunome choji and sudare ba with nie and deep nioi. There is also Kyo-yakidashi in his hamon and he's good at making suguha. He was one of the best Mishina smiths in Osaka. IF PERHAPS THIS IS THE SMITH on the NTHK paper then I am in "High Cotton" with a good quality Point Smith. However, if it is ouside of the time-period then I am with another generation who signed the same.......I did ask if the Shinsa Team would indicate which generation, but, alas they declined to do so, as I understand. However, this being the case, then you can see why I am trying to research the date on the document so closely. Jaques :Thanks for your input. Any opinions are certainly welcomed !!! Edward G.

Good Afternoon All: I am trying to translate the paper to determine hopefully what generation swordsmith I have. The date column is Kanbun (1661) however the third charater is an addition? Anyway, my whole purpose is to try to determine which generation swordsmith Mishina Tango no Kami Fugiwara Kanemichi That I might have. I am hoping that this is the First Generation or the son of Yoshimichi that is highly rated by Hawley's at 60 points KAN1403 S-68-TK132. Please look at the papers and give me some information or opions...... Many Thanks Edward G.

You are exactly correct, Thank you kindly Koichi Moriyama !!! Edward G

Please help on the tang translation attached. It appears that the smiths name is Kane Yasu, but I need help with the remainder of the translation. Thanking you in advance. Edward G

Thank You to all who contributed information, Morita-San, Charlie B, and Outlier48. I could never have gotten this full translation, Many Thanks !!! Edward G.

A Few additional Photos of the Horimono Symbols on the sword are attached, any guidance on meaning of this symbolism would be appreciated. Edward G.

Greetings to All. Please help with translation of this tang. I can make some of the characters, but not all of them. The sword appears Showa Period, with a hormimono of a dragon on one side and two short grooves on the other side of the blade, with symbols above and below the grooves, which I will try to post later. An interesting looking sword in shira saya. Many thanks for your considerations and help. Edward G.

Grey, Thank You kindly for the information and thoughts, I plan to go to Minneapolis in October, Maybe the Shinsa Team will be able to tell me more of what I would like to know about this Tanto. Perhaps if you attend the show and Shinsa we can discuss it further in person with the item available for inspection. Thank You again Edward G.

Thank you for your thoughts and consideration, Curan, Jacques, and of course Morita. Yes, the Habaki was listed on May 28, 2011 for a translation as it is signed as well. The cutting edge measures 23.5 centimenters or 9.25 inches. The Sori is straight or no curvature that I can detect. The Tang measures 92.7 milimeters from the Mune-Machi, the thickness in the Tang is 6 milimeters (with encrustment). In the past, this blade has been polished and the thickness now is 5 milimeters near the Mune-machi. The back ridge is mune-takashi. I have posted some additional pictures of this Tanto. .....As you can tell the tanto blade is quite old and I cannot make out the Mei or date on the tang. Any opinions as to an attribution of era, school, or smith is appreciated. are of course welcomed. Thank You Again Edward G.

Good evening to all. Please look at the group of pictures hosted at image shack and tell me if anyone can make out the date side of the tang or the signature side of the tang. It is very old and I have tried to take numerous pictures from different angles. Any help will certainly be appreciated, the signature side is very faint, however, the date side seems relatively strong except for the begining portion. Anyway, whatever you may come up with will be more than what I have now. Edward G.

Thank You for this translation, If I keep searching maybe soon I will find a really good sword to treasure. In any event, I really appreciate your help Morita. THANK YOU !!! Edward G.

Good Afternoon to all: Please help with translation on late war pattern Model 1944 star stamped Gunto. I have enclosed a few pictures it has what appears to be a numeric number at the bottom of the tang as well as a star stamp above the signature. It is out of polish and in poor shape with a 26" cutting edge. The signature might be Kiyo Mitsu, or Noris Mitsu ??? Any help would be appreciated !!! Have not seen a number in the tang with a Star-Stamped signature before. Edward G.

Thank You Chris, you hit the nail on the head......You are a scholar and a gentleman

Gentlemen: Attached are photos of a 27 1/4" cutting edge sword with what appears to be an old blade. Please help with the translation. I can read part of it to say FugiWara Kane ??? It has an unusual Habaki and is an attractive samurai blade with good characteristics. Thanks to all for your help with the translation. Edward G.

This was a very hard one for me to read and try to translate...Thank You Grey, David, Chris and Moriyama. I know I would have never figured it out without your help. Edward G. :D

Good evening to all: Please help with a translation on this Shin Gunto, No date on opposite side of tang. It measures 26" on the cutting edge and is mounted in Army Mounts. Thank you for your input and time. Edward G.

Thank You all for your kind comments attached I tryed to upload the photos directly, Please help with further translations of the Kozuka, I don't think the Mei is readable, but the date side may be salvaged. It is hard to capture on camera, but it apears to have a double hamon on the blade itself. I am open to suggestions on who or how to restore the piece missing on the saya next to the Kogai, should be a Kurikata, but something tells me it was originally probably metal with the same theme as the rest of the saya. Thanks. Sorry I am not one of those folks born with a mouse in one hand and I-pad in the other when it comes to technology. :D Edward G :D

Good evening to all. I am posting some pictures of a signed Habaki for a Tanto. The mei and date side of the Nakago is not readable. However, the fittings are very nice and posted under the Tosogu Section under Edward G. with the heading of " Need Opinions on Style & Motiff of Fittings. I would invite all to take a look at this other posting as well Thank you for your time and interest in his post. Any translation help is certainly appreciated. Edward G.