Hello
I’m new to the Club but am really excited and privileged to have been accepted. Thank you.
My question concerns the saya in the attached photos.
I know the top “knob” kurikata is for the sageo, but I wondered if anybody knows what the other knob is called in Japanese and what purpose it served.
Any comments would be gratefully received.
Many thanks
John
I am respectfully looking for assistance. I have spent many hours attempting to decipher the markings on this katana but have only identified a few. Any assistance would be appreciated and welcome.
Sorry but my phone is having issues as to whether these are posting. So it seems I've sent doubles .take what can be used and please forgive the mistake. I will be trying to do the translation on my own. I have it down to honmitsi. I think.
Can I please impose on the group to give me a translation of the signed tang of this blade . Any historical vault and if it will be a matter of interest to the museum of Japan or to any members . This was in my father's collection that has passed to me. He was murdered right before xmas by a would be car jacker. I would much like to keep it if is of no renown to the people of Japan. If it is the proceeds of its return will go to my mother to help with her remaining years.
This sword was, in all likelihood, purchased either at a surplus shop or through a wholesaler shortly after the Korean War. It was given to me a couple years ago and I have tried my best to preserve it in the condition it is currently (poor) so as to avoid further degradation.
I have tried to match the markings on the tang to what is supplied on this site and others, but I am really not sure as to what i am even looking at to make the comparisons.
These are pics from 3 newer swords in my collection. I bought 6 at one time because the price was right however...I was skeptical about 3 of them. I'd gladly welcome opinions or translations about these pics of Nakago and Mei. Thank you so much for accepting my request to join your group. I am grateful and always respectful. Thank you
Hello there, I have a sword I would like to offer for identification. Please see attached photographs to assist you.
I was given this sword by an elderly neighbour of mine in 1966. She stated that her husband had been in the diplomatic corps in the 'Far East'. No other details.
The blade is 63cm to the hilt, 32mm wide and 6-7mm thick at the hilt and is in very good condition but obviously needs a professional clean by someone who knows what they are doing with the correct materials. The tip of the blade has been broken off. About the last 2 or 3 millimetres.
I purchased this katana from Handmade Swords on Amazon. I recently removed the handle and found a signature and could not figure out what it means. If any one could help me figure out what it means, I would appreciate it! Thank you.
I was gifted a WW2 katana. Handle and scabbard look correct. I'm wondering if the blade is older. The tang is very rusty. The mei is very hard to read. Can anyone make out what it says? Should I clean the rust off? Any help identifying this sword would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Daniel
Echizen Ju Shimosaka (越 前 住下 坂). SHIRASAYA WAKIZASHI EDO PRINCIPLES C 1600 XVII CENTURY
TO YASUTSUGU SCHOOL 康 継 系
The history of the Yasutsugu (康 継) lineage begins with the birth of the first generation, Ichizaemon (市 左衛 門), which is believed to have been born in the mid-16th century. His birthplace was in Shimosaka (下 坂) of Shiga-gun in Omi province. Omi is next to Mino and contains Lake Biwa. Yasutsugu (康 継) was born in a family of swordsmen headed by his father, Hironaga (廣 長), known as the last descendant of Yamato no Kuni Senjuin (大 和 国 千手 院). Although his father was from Omi, he was trained in the Mino (美濃) tradition.
The early training of Yasutsugu (temprano 継) was in the Senjuin style of Yamato (大 和) as well as in the Mino tradition (美濃). His first signature was Echizen Ju Shimosaka (越 前 住下 坂). He later began experimenting with the Sôshû (相 州) tradition and became an expert in all three traditions. During Bunroku (1592-1596) he received the title of Higo Daijô (肥 後 大 掾) Around this time or around the beginning of the era of Keicho (1596) he moved to Echizen province and settled in Fukui.
Throughout Japanese history, many blacksmiths flourished when they were under the patronage and protection of local feudal lords. Yasutsugu (康 継) was one of those blacksmiths. Whether by chance or by intention, it was noted and received the support of Matsudaira Hideyasu (松 平 秀 廉), who was Tokugawa Ieyasu's third son (徳 川 家 康). Hideyasu (秀 廉) was the Daimyo of Echizen Province and, as such, was in a position to be of great help to Yasutsugu (康 継). As has often been the case throughout history, who knows is often as important, or more important, than what one knows. There were several contemporary blacksmiths of greater skill than Yasutsugu (康 継) (i.e. Umetada (埋 忠), Hankei (繁 慶), Kunihiro (国 広)), but due to the sponsorship of Matsudaira Hideyasu (松 平 秀 廉), Yasutsugu (康 継) became known for Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳 川 家 康) and Tokugawa Hidetada (徳 川 秀 忠),
For the fifth year of Keicho (1600), Yasutsugu (康 継) was well established in Echizen (越 前). WAKISHAZI BY ECHIZEN NYU SHIMOSAKA, EDO PERIOD C. 1600 17th Century.
I inherited a sword that was brought back from WW2 by my wife’s grandfather.
It is not in great condition but I have not been able to decipher its origin.
I will attach pictures. There are 5 Japanese characters plus a small symbol on the tang. On one side of the blade is an engraved dragon chasing a flaming jewel. The detail is good. On the other side there is a symbol I have not seen anywhere in my research so far. Any help would be appreciated. This is a katana.
Looking to purchase a Katana by Swordsmith Kanda Ju Kanetsune (Bushu Kanda Ju Fujiwara Kanetsune). If anyone can assist me in this endeavor, please send a reply.
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