Translation isn't needed but wanted to show it off-- UJINOBU GAN'MAKU wanted to know a little about the maker.

[kealpe]

Picked this up a few years back from an auction house. Never really paid attention to signatures on my swords, mainly collected German stuff. I don't use this site much so not sure where to put stuff for show and tell. Would like to know something about the maker and the mount. Notice the gold leaf coming off of the seppa? I don't take this one apart much do to the gold leaf separating. 

 

Thanks, Keith

[Geraint]

Dear Keith.

 

Well I'd be very happy if I had picked this one up.  Nice sword in nice koshirae, Namban tsuba and from what I can see very nice menuki that might be two mon, really interesting habaki.   I trust that you know how to care for this piece, basically do nothing to clean anything except to wipe a very thin coat of light oil on the blade.  

 

Some information here, http://sanmei.com/contents/en-us/p2060.html  Look for examples of blades with NBTHK papers and compare the signature to yours. There are several smiths from this school and pinning down which one may not be possible even if you send it for papers.   As you probably know the problem of faked signatures is an issue and many people are wary of a sword that is signed by a well known maker without the authentication that these papers provide.  

 

We would like some more pictures, one of the overall blade without any fittings if you can.  Personally I think this is a very nice sword, congratulations!

 

Feel free to ask any questions, happy to help.

 

All the best.

[Bruce Pennington]

Keith, how about a good photo of that habaki for the habaki thread?!

[vajo]

Found this.

UJINOBU 氏信 is one of the most representative founders of Ganmaku school who served exclusively for Inaba Yoshimichi 稲葉良通, the lord of Shimizu castle and his descendants who moved to Owari domain in Edo period had been active in generations down to Kanbun (1661-72) era.

Gan'maku Ujinobu from Mino Province

 

[kealpe]

added a couple of pics. I know a few wanted a pic of the complete blade with tang. I don't monitor this site to often so will be adding a couple of more swords that I think members will like. 

Thanks, Keith

[Billy B]

Hello: 

 

New to this web site will sign on later.  Here is what I have  .   My father a WWll Navy vet served in the Philippine's. Returned home with a sword which I now have .

 

Paid for a translation of the shake of the sword.  Recevied i and that the wording was UJINOBU Ganmaku and that this person was a famous sword craftsman.

 

Also that this sword had been used during the SENGOKU Period.  Also it was made in MINO Japan  in the province of GIFU.

 

OK this is what I have, I do wipe it done with a fine oil 

 

Looking for some input on this sword do I have anything or is this something that is easy to come buy.

 

Please advise

 

Thank you

 

Billy B.

[Bruce Pennington]

It would help a lot if you post pictures of the sword, overall, and shots of the nakago (tang), and a couple of shots of the blade activity.