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Keep in mind that signed, ubu Kamakura and Nanbokucho blades are considered unicorns, the best of the best - and they will be priced accordingly, even from less-prestigious schools. Here are some examples currently for sale: https://eirakudo.shop/232837 https://eirakudo.shop/409863 https://www.aoijapan.com/tachimorihiro22nd-nbthk-juyo-token/ If those prices don't scare you, there are likely to be some dealers active here who will have stuff around that level or better.

An interesting observation (eternal_newbie) about AI and giving you answers you wish to hear rather than what it can observe in the images. $100 is not much for a wall decoration. A Cosplay sword would have cost me more.

AI is full of shit. That's the bottom line. It's clearly a repro, and that was fairly clear without the nakago. We are very far from a world where AI can give you an accurate assessment of swords.

100% fake, most production Chinese blades have a better shaped tang than that. The metal around the hole being broken is another giant red flag for both safety and quality. I need to stress here that the AI is not analyzing the blade in the photos you are providing it with; it is analyzing the questions you are asking and providing you an answer it estimates you will like. In particular, it is blatantly lying about: Kissaki correctly shaped, not reshaped or clipped (the kissaki is not at all correctly shaped) Brass sukashi tsuba, Kyoto kinko-influenced aesthetic (the tsuba is a standard military style, with bits cut out, and waaayyy thicker than anything you'd find in kinko) Blackened samegawa showing age-related shrinkage (the samegawa is white and is not shrunken but panelled) The other inaccuracies at least could be forgiven in a real person who doesn't know enough to discern between good and bad quality, but those things above are straight up wrong, "don't believe your lying eyes"-style lies. Regarding the question of age - fakes such as these were commonplace when I first started collecting 20 years ago, and at that time plenty had already been around for 20 years. That's more than enough time to collect wear and tear, especially if used by a backyard warrior to cut bottles or branches over the years. That said... for 100 Aussie dollars, you at least didn't get hugely ripped off, so I agree with you on that part; it's a reasonable enough price to pay for something to put on display or liven up a dull corner of a room.

To satisfy peoples curiosity.... I did not pay much for it ($100). It certainly looks aged. I eventually took the step of unwrapping the hilt and did indeed find a peg. It was difficult to see and copper? I could therefore also get photos of the tang.... or lack of tang... Its real rayskin and leather wrap. Looks poorly made to me, however AI is still claiming its a real Japanese blade and not a Chinese fake (which in itself it interesting to me). No signatures (fake or otherwise) and the hole does not look drilled to me... .

I disagree entirely with that AI assessment, but as you're satisfied with the blade either way I won't belabor the point. To your question about removing the tsuka, I wonder if the release button for the latch (which I assume this is) itself also functions as a mekugi somehow: However I agree with Doug that it may not be worth the risk of damage. The one useful bit of info the AI generated is that the peg may be concealed, likely under the panels of rayskin, in which case it's likely to be a screw of some kind (which, again, you wouldn't see in a Japanese sword, which are designed to be easily dismantled for maintenance).

I am looking for Early Kamakura or Nanbukucho signed uncut Tachi or Katana. Anybody know of something currently for sale?

I don’t see a peg to remove and I think you will end up doing more damage in long run. 100% reproduction, no reason to remove handle it would be crude and unsigned and fake Chinese signature. Enjoy the cool look it is. Doug

Well not being a Nihonto expert (or novice), I took a punt. It might well be fake. I would wonder why fake it so poorly (why not fake an expensive cool looking blade etc). The rayskin is clearly real, the leather saya is also real, both worn with age, showing inconsistencies of age and shrinking. The Saya is also worn on the inside from considerable use. The Koiguchi is actually two separate layers of brass (why not just use one). Why not just use platsics and paint etc. I did put the images through an AI program (always a reliable source of nonsense) and it suggested... A Japanese katana, late Edo to early Meiji period (c. 1800–1870), mounted in civilian koshirae, with a traditionally made blade in tired but honest condition. Blade Shinogi-zukuri form with proper geometry Moderate sori consistent with late Edo proportions Kissaki correctly shaped, not reshaped or clipped Surface shows age-related scratches and light oxidation Hamon not clearly visible in current polish No obvious fatal flaws (no visible hagire or major structural damage) Condition: Unpolished, stable, and unrestored. Preserved rather than refurbished. Nakago (Tang) Not removed for inspection Mounting suggests traditional construction Retained via concealed or non-standard peg arrangement No evidence of modern rat-tail or welded tang construction Full attribution not possible without professional disassembly. Mounts (Koshirae) Civilian style, not military Brass sukashi tsuba, Kyoto kinko-influenced aesthetic Blackened samegawa showing age-related shrinkage Ito intact but aged Mounting appears cohesive and period-appropriate The mounts show use and age but are structurally intact. Interpretation This sword appears to be: A modest but genuine Japanese blade, likely late Edo period, later mounted or refitted for civilian wear during the Edo–Meiji transition. It is not: A modern reproduction A decorative wall sword A tourist souvenir piece It represents a working or family blade rather than a high-ranking or battlefield weapon. As for me, I have no idea, for the price I am happy to have it real or otherwise.... It does raise an interesting question as to how accurate is the assessment. However for now I would like to know how to remove the hilt to inspect the tang (or lack of tang)....

I also believe it to be a reproduction, likely Chinese. Aside from the lack of visible mekugi (which suggests a rat-tail tang or a glued tang, neither of which are generally found in authentic Japanese swords), the grain of the blade looks far too unrefined, the kissaki shape is all wrong, and while it could be the lighting or photography, the shinogi (ridge-line in the middle of the sword) looks uneven and poorly defined. https://www.jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html

Thanks John, I certainly didn't pay much for it, so it could be a repo, but I don't believe that to be the case. The Saya is covered in real leather, it all looks worn and age weary, nothing looks bright or machined. Not elegant by any means, what you might call a working sword, but I don't thing its repo (doesn't really matter if it is). I wondered about the latch too. But it moves freely and is not holding it together. The Saya has an internal cutaway to accept it, but the outer edge is well beaten down by it, so it has clearly been this way for some time. Anyway it does not appear to be holding the tsuka on.

Michael: My first impression was that it may be a reproduction. But what is going on with that latch? Could that be holding the tsuka on? Could just be the lighting. John C.

Hi All, Got a Katana on speculation, sword looks vintage late edo period (at a guess), obviously not high end. I would like to remove the Tsuka to see the tang, however I see no visible mekugi? Any thoughts? M

One of NHK's more recent videos explores the use of Nihonto in Kabuki theatre. It explores the Japanese mindset around swords, how legends influence culture and this space through dramatisation. Nihonto have found a lot of interest through the recent Touken Rabu manga series which has now been brought to life in Kabuki. Animating the sword, makes the people associated with it come alive and makes the art form even more interesting. It was a fascinating watch to get an insight into the spirit of the Nihonto. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/shows/3025180/

It looks quite small in the original photos.

I hate to say it but some Japanese "treats" can taste very bland or even awful to a European palate. I almost starved in Japan till I found an Indian curry house

An update for anyone who may be interested! I took this item to a local antique dealer I was purchasing something else from, and he identified what it is! It is indeed a piece of forehead wear, but not for a man, but a horse! He said it was probably Bakumatsu or Meiji period in origin, and that such thing would usually be seen in ceremonial settings. I should have guessed as such at first, as it is drastically oversized for a human forehead.

Yeah, I was just thinking that. I will look out for them next time…

In the video, it looks as if they have strung the bows on the wrong side and in addition to that, positioned them upside-down.

John, I'd buy the Tegai yoroi doshi if I had the money! Beautiful blade, if it is indeed ~ 1400 AD. I love the earliest example koto yoroi doshi examples! So sweet! I hope you find a patron for it! Best regards, Barrett Hiebert

I think the sniper version of that rifle used a piece of PVC pipe as a scope. John C.

dropping prices a bit still open to offers Tegai blade is now 3250$ Gimei is now 1250$ Looking to move them Cheers!

Hurts being this generations outlier

Hi. I will not say. It was several years ago and highly dependent on the sword conditions so it is better if you contact Massimo directly. Regards Luca