This is more like a note to myself as I was doing some research and found few links which may be useful in the future. When I started the Swordsmith Index project 4 years ago, I had to use automated tools to cleanse and verify smith records, everything Kanji related in particular, otherwise I would have to go through thousands of records manually. The results were very positive back in 2008-2009: my tools helped to identify numerous errors and gaps in the data (e.g. smith Kanji names) which are now long since been fixed. I didn't apply similar procedure to the signatures because the data was too rough and also I needed an access to a good database of Kanji and a Japanese dictionary. But most of all, my research in this direction has stopped since a lot of my input data was stolen in a burglary (and lost on a hard drive of my old worthless laptop which was taken).

Since then I switched to different activities, with full verification of the whole Index being the most important one. As it's been planned to be completed by the end of the year, I started looking at automated tools again. Unfortunately I won't be able to publish any results as I'm just starting a new job, but I might have some time over Christmas. One of the studies analyses distribution of different Kanji across provinces (it can be done across nengō as well) which shows (no surprises here) that some characters were preferred in particular provinces. Another study (which requires the tools mentioned below) is only in the planning stage and is meant to address different patterns of signatures which may help with signature verification, automated extraction of geographical locations and also with building some sort of comprehensive manual of signature reading.

The dictionaries I was meant to use were:

KANJIDIC2 for Kanji
JMdict/EDICT for Japanese/English vocabulary

Libraries:

JBLite (part of J-Ben, 2 )
JBParse, 2, 3
JMdict-Parser
nihongo.py

I'll keep you informed on any further development. Until then, I have 1750 records left to verify :-)

Regards,
Stan

Zach Luna posted some beautiful photos of Japanese swords in Victoria & Albert Museum in London:

http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=23603

I found a very useful article in Japanese Wikipedia which contains a list of famous swords with brief descriptions:

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E5%88%80%E4%B8%80%E8%A6%A7

I already found few swords from Kyōhō Meibutsu Chō which I had no other references to.

Surely it will grow in the future and more details will be added.

Hi Stan and all,

I would like to express my gratitude over the recent tang interpretations, Thanks for all your support! It really meant much to me now that I can appreciate my blades more. Thanks to Pete for sharing some knowledge. I hope you guys can extend more help to do some more interpretations with 4 more tang signatures and 3 unsigned blades, That I have posted yesterday, If anyone could at least give me an idea on the origin of the blades as to province or possible smith etc. I would be happy.Lastly ,I could send more pictures of the blades if required.

Awaiting any News....

Hi Im jo just wandering if anybody could help me out I got 2 short swords, 1 tanto and a yari, Im needing help to interpret signatures? You could contact me at at my email ad jrgorospe@yahoo.com thanks

Hi
My name is Milo
I'm glad to have found a forum so well
organized.
I'm passionate about Japanese culture from 4
years but only now I can really devote myself to that
is the story of the samurai.
from about 5 months Kendo and Iaido practice and I am very
excited about this I love to take my katana between
I love looking at her hands but mostly in its charm
. I hope to find and acquire more knowledge about
this web site but most of all to exchange views
with various members.
Thank you for your kind attention
Sincerely

Silver hoop earrings are one of the styles that are in rage with not only the teenagers but also with the the black pearl earrings the adults. Hoop earrings are similar to a ring and are in circular shape. The sizes of the hoops vary from looped hoops to gypsy

Hi Stan and all,
sorry I have not been more active lately, but today, I have had to make sure that those of you that may be around Sydney, Australia during September 8th to 12th are aware and maybe can get along to the shinsa, ( you can find more information in the link below ), but I just have to say, the last one held was approx 2 years ago was a very well run show with many top experts in attendance and giving away there knowledge and advice freely to all that attended as well as the shinsa itself, great bargins in swords and fittings etc to be had, as well as the handout information,

Dear Santa-san,

It's a bit off-season for wishes, but just in case if you have any of these books in stock in the next 20 years, please remember me:

Iimura Yoshiaki, Yumei Koto Taikan
Iimura Yoshiaki, Shinto Taikan
Iimura Yoshiaki, Shinshinto Taikan
Honma Junji, Showa Dai-meito Zufu

Thank you.

Accidentally I found an old article by Harry Afu Watson where he describes his path of becoming a translator of sword literature. I've always had a great respect for Harry's work, and this article only makes my admiration stronger.