Aldwin

Thanks again for the reply, Stephen. Unfortunately it would be in 3 weeks time that I'll be able to see this sword (as well as others) in person. Hopefully there's a date on the other side when I get the chance to inspect it person.

Hello everyone! I need another assistance in reading another mei. 伯耆守 藤原信高 Hoki-no-kami Fujiwara Nobutaka? Did I get that correctly? Here are more photos of this sword. Any information on which Nobutaka generation this smith is from is very much appreciated. Thank you kindly. Aldwin

Thanks for the reply, Stephen.

I did a bit of research about the mei. 伯耆守藤原汎隆 Hōki-no-kami Fujiwara Hirotaka was a swordsmith from the mid 1600s. Matsunami Tokiemon 松波時右衛門 was from the Empo era. I hope I got that right? If ever I buy this sword, what should I do about the active rust on the nakago? Would piano keys work or that's only for the blade and tsuba?

Hello Steve, thanks so much for your reply! I really appreciate it. I tried translating it but got Mamoru Fujiwara Masataka. When I get to personally see this sword, I'll take more better photos. I'm actually interested in buying this one, if the price is right. It has several chips on the edge, can't see if it's below the hamon or goes beyond it. If it's below the hamon, a good polisher would be able to restore it. I'll be researching more based on the information you provided. Thanks again!

Hello everyone! I need some assistance with these signatures. On the omote side reads 自_守藤原汎隆? Ura side I have no idea. Could this be a tameshi mei or just kin mei? Unfortunately I don't have better photos. It has gunto mounts. Thank you. Aldwin

Thanks for your reply, Stephen. Any information about the school and estimate period?

Thanks for the reply. I realized that they're not daisho tsuba after admiring and staring at them for a long time. Though it would be nice if they were.

Hello everyone! I have 2 iron mokko tsuba with brass fukurin that I purchased from 2 different sellers from Japan. No further information provided by the sellers except for the usual "Edo period". The larger one measures 7.4 cm in diameter and nakago-ana is 2.9 cm, while the smaller one measures 6.8 cm in diameter and nakago-ana is 2.7 cm. Could these be a daisho tsuba? Or are they both for a wakizashi? Any information regarding school and estimate period are greatly appreciated! Thank you very much. Aldwin

I also find the nakago to look funny, especially the mei. It looks to be gimei? Do swordsmiths sign their blades between the mekugi-ana? According to the person who provided this photo, a friend of his from Davao, Philippines sent this photo of the nakago of a katana that belonged to his friend, who in turn had inherited from his grandfather. So this is probably a WW2 Seki blade as Ray has mentioned.

I'm not sure if this reads Sadamitsu no saku 貞光之作 or Kiyomitsu no saku 清光之作? I believe it's Sadamitsu but I just wanted to confirm with you guys. If this is indeed Sadamitsu, is there a way to know the age of the blade based on this photo alone? Unfortunately this is the only photo provided to me. I appreciate the help. Thank you. Regards, Aldwin

Thanks for your replies. I also thought the sword is real, I just had to confirm it with the people here. As for the question if he has it, I can definitely say he doesn't have it in his hands. Those photos came from the 3 other Facebook pages from Thailand who also claims they sell this sword. Anybody here from Thailand who can verify this Taikushi company? I also have the same question as Marius, what on earth is the "Gassan forge team"?

Thanks for your reply Marius. I'd definitely go to Gassan or a reputable dealer if I want a Gassan blade. But I would like to know about the blade in question, is it really a Gassan blade? Chinese sword makers have improved a lot in making a katana that it's making it harder for less knowledgeable people to know what is real or not. That's why I asked help to verify if the sword is real. For all we know, they're also making fake origami.

I'm not sure if this is the appropriate section of the forum to post this, but this is about an seller online, so I hope this is the correct one. An online seller called "Samurai Katana Sword Philippines", who sells locally made "Japanese swords", is claiming to have a contact with the "Gassan forge team" and is selling a blade that's made by "Gassan". Here's is his post on Facebook: Some higher resolution photos: Link to the photos on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samuraikatanaswordphilippines/posts/858555404222485 He even posted a conversation with the "Gassan forge team" publicly on his Facebook page as "proof" that the sword is not a Chinese fake. I have very heavy doubts this guy is selling a Gassan blade because this person is known to be deceitful. He has about 900+ followers on his Facebook which I believe don't know much about Japanese swords, that's why he's able to deceive them. Several months ago, he posted a video of a "Japanese sword" cutting a nail: https://www.facebook.com/samuraikatanaswordphilippines/videos/819933198084706/ Someone commented asking if the sword in the video is made in Japan, and he answered "yes". Just judging it on the koshirae, I can say that the sword in the video is neither made in Japan nor by a Japanese swordsmith. The truth is the sword is made in Indonesia. The license plate number on the motorcycle proves it. This guy also has a closed Facebook group where he posted photos of swords obviously made in China and claims they're made in Japan and signed by Gassan Sadatoshi. Unfortunately, all members of his group don't know anything about Japanese swords and he delete members who "provide too much information". Going back to the Gassan blade, I tried to search for the origin of the photos and I found these pages on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaikushiSamuraiSword https://www.facebook.com/TaikushiBrand https://www.facebook.com/pages/Taikushi-Thailand/752808521455272 I don't know much about this Taikushi company, but I can say that some of the swords posted on their pages are made in China. What do you think of all this? Is the Gassan blade real? Does this guy or Taikushi has a contact with the "Gassan forge team"? I would really appreciate your thoughts on this, it hurts to see people losing their hard earned money. Regards, Aldwin

Thank you very much for your replies, Brian and Rich, I truly appreciate it!

Hello everyone! Someone shared these photos but the owner doesn't have much information about these blades. I believe the blade on the bottom is a kiridashi. The tanto seems to have an unokubi zukuri sugata. The owner tried to remove the blade to check on the nakago, but to no avail. He said the blade won't budge after removing the mekugi. I suspect the blade of the tanto is glued inside the tsuka since the owner can't remove it. Could this be a modern piece sold as a souvenir? But without seeing the nakago, it's really hard to say. Also, what can say about this tsuba? To me, it looks like a cast. But I could be wrong. The owner cleaned it as you can see in the top photo. This was purchased on eBay. Here's the link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/171837507151 I would really appreciate your thoughts on these 2 blades as well as the tsuba so I can pass this information to the owner. Thank you very much! Regards, Aldwin

It's good to hear that your loved ones, relatives, and friends are all okay. I just heard from my sensei based in Machida that they're all okay and not much damage. I also got a reply from Mr Takehiko Namikawa of Namikawa Heibei that they're all well: Thank you for your concern and for your thoughtful e-mail. I appreciate your warm word. I have never experienced so huge earthquake, and was so scared Damage and destruction of TOHOKU region of Japan are especially awful. This morning more than 1300 people becomes died of the earthquake and TSUNAMI. However Namikawa Family are alive and well at least. I feel lucky having such customer as you. Once again thank you for your thoughtfulness. Best Regards, Takehiko Namikawa Praying for the safety of everyone in Japan.

Hello Peter, That's really a nice tsuba and it does have the same theme as mine. Thanks for sharing.

Hi Peter, That tsuba is really a very nice piece. I only wish I had that much money to win the auction. :lol:

Indeed, themed collections are a great way to go. Do we already have a bird guy here? I've just acquired my first tsuba that has a bird on it (and I don't even know what kind of bird it is, a chidori?) viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3911 I've always been fascinated with cranes and other bird species, so I guess I'll go with that theme. :D

Thanks so much Dr Richard Stein, your website is really informative. Best regards,

Hi Ken, You really have a nice and vast collection of mantis themed tosogu, makes me want to start my own themed collection. I've been wondering, did you get to win the mantis tsuba on YJ that I emailed to you? Regards.

Hello everyone, Thanks so much for the replies. I will definitely add new pictures when it arrives within the week. So this tsuba could possibly be a Nara, Aizu Shoami, or Mito work? Peter, I would very much appreciate if you can post a picture of your similar tsuba so we can compare. As this is my first tsuba, I would like to know more about it. But with my very, very limited knowledge, I can only speculate. Thanks!

Hello everyone! I finally acquired my first tsuba (that's within my budget). I'd really appreciate some information regarding the age, school, theme, etc. So far, here are what I came up with my very, very limited knowledge: Maru gata (that's the easiest one) :D Has been mounted (?) Silver inlay that is supposed to be a moon? Copper (or brass?) inlay - bird, mountain (or are those trees?), I'm really not sure and some along the riverside (what are those supposed to be and what type of bird is that, a swallow?) Surface carving (if its really carved at all) - sukidashibori or takabori iroe or... I really don't know Age: Edo (according to the seller) Measurements: 7.18cm x 6.88cm Seppadai: 0.51cm Pictures below are from the seller. I'd be posting actual pictures when it's already in my possession, when it arrives hopefully by next week. I'd very much appreciate the corrections and additional information regarding this tsuba. Thanks, Aldwin

Everyone, thanks. I really appreciate the replies. Dimensions are 7.6cm x 7.7cm Here's the link to the auction: http://page13.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/r49416849 Thank you Ford for your observation. That taught me to examine a tsuba more closely, even if they are just pictures.