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For Sale $2,500 OBO - A waki-soshu koto o-tanto signed Hiromitsu 黄光 - likely from late generation (c.1550-1620) Hiromasa or Fuyohiro schools - as judged by a world famous US-based collector/dealer. The blade features a broad suguha, with o-itame hada and lively hataraki still prominent in the ji steel. The boshi is komaru. The blade has hi, with soe-hi on the omote and take-kurabe (futatsuji-hi) on the ura side. The nakago is ubu. The sword is mounted in a wonderful and original mid-edo issaku hira-zogan aikuchi koshirae, complete with wari kogai and kozuka. The decorative inlay on the iron ground is predominantly copper wire, originally silver-washed, forming vines and buds. Some of the silver wash is still present around the fuchi and on the koiguchi, which forms a false hamidashi. Gold zōgan resembling lily blossoms (yuri) appears in several places. The pierced kozuka features a phoenix and cloud design. Finely detailed menuki depict floral arrangements and natural scenes with sika deer in shakudō, gold, and copper. The tri-metal aesthetic of the koshirae (silver, gold, and iron) reflects high social status of the original owner. The saya is finished with a high quality kuro ishime style lacquer, and the overall craftsmanship, quality and condition of the mounts is very good. A copper compression-fit mekugi secures the mount, while an elegant copper habaki finished with antique gold wash completes the piece. Condition: Minor wear, losses and repairs to the koshirae consistent with age and use. The blade has a burst fukure near the habaki visible in the photos and video. On close inspection it can be seen that this flaw does not touch the ha or edge of the blade. More photos / video available on request. 5% of the total sale will be donated to NMB

BigHatLogan, sorry man.

not looking for a mei translation here but the AOI, is this an alternate version of the Tokugawa hollyhock? Not seen it in this style before, it reminds me more of paulownia leaves tbh (obviously move this post brian if it's better suited elsewhere but thought this was probably the right place)

In my opinion If you try to learn every little thing before byuing and trying to pick out a perfect 1st piece, you will probably never get there. For me, I picked a nihonto time period that I was most interested in which was muromachi. Specifically sengoku jidai. You will eventually find a blade that draws you in . Wether it s shape ( sugata ) , jigane, hamon, or all the above that fits your budget. You cant really go wrong with a papered blade from a reputable dealer in the $4000 range. This will become your starting point. You may love the school/smith and seek for more from the same or decide to move in another direction. A papered blade in the $4000 range will be fairly easy to find a new home should you decide to sell to make room. Maybe take a slight loss. It may sound hasty but you need a blade in hand to study in order to find out what you truly want. Online listings and descriptions wont get you there. And do not be swayed by bias and opinions. Incredible nihonto were produced in every era and everyone will have a different opinion of the era they like.

Very solid, no wiggle. There is definitely room floating around the nakago, the tsuba does not make any harsh contact steel to steel, but the thickness was exact compared to the original tsuba. No movement at all up and down.

Please withdraw

Open to offers

Respectful starting price but think Wakizashi, for that price you can get a very good one.

Aaron, it is a wondeful nihonto that you have there... I envy a bit its future keeper. Can I humbly ask - after that tsuba replacement, currently how tight is the overall fit? Assuming it was (almost) perfect tight fit coming from Japan in its modern koshirae... Adam, btw, this is a gorgeous wakizashi there...

I got outbid last second @2100. Oh well

I really appreciate everyone for taking the time to respond and give advice. It is reassuring to know there are good people here and I’m sure elsewhere to support me on my journey.

I was thinking expensive but for my first Nihonto I think $4k is a good start. Then as I learn more and maybe a year or two down the road I could go more $8k to $15k

I've learned more from these Kantei posts than I have in years of trying to decipher Jacques' cryptic one-liners . Sad indeed... Looking forward to the answer on this one, -Sam

Rawa, you think too much? That Koshirea alone might have been worth that price. Tokubetsu Kicho NBTHK certificate for the fittings if I'm reading that right. Older certificate, but better that nothing in this case. .(Predecessor to modern Hozon/Tokubetsu Hozon)

Very nice!

For Sale - $1,800 OBO - A stunning and complete set of aikuchi fittings from the late edo period produced by a mainline Higo school. Ready for mounting or to be enjoyed as part of a display. Made from iron and decorated finely with gold karakusa and silver Kuyō-mon using the Higo-zōgan technique. The Kuyō-mon (sometimes known as Hosokawa-mon) represents the nine celestial bodies and was famously adopted by the Hosokawa family as their main crest. Filled “Kuyō” are associated with the manifest and material, while ringed Kuyō are said to represent the spiritual, or metaphysical. A striking arrangement of eighteen Hosokawa mon in silver, with nine filled Kuyō and nine ringed Kuyō, employ a symbolic harmony perhaps intended to embody a cosmic completeness or symbolic duality appealing to both aesthetic sensibilities and esoteric cosmology. The 7-piece set includes: • Fuchi • Kashira • Koiguchi • Kurikata • Kaeshizuno • Kojiri • Bashin (馬針), tempered and in old polish. The fittings show minor wear consistent with age but remain in excellent condition. The absence of NBTHK papers is offset by the clear quality of work, which speaks to a mainline Higo lineage, possibly Nishigaki or Hirayama school, executed in the late Edo period when such koshirae were prized by elite retainers and favored by the Hosokawa daimyō. Guaranteed to pass hozon with attribution to a Higo school. Additional photos available on request. Where successful sales are referred or closed on NMB, 5% of the total sale will be donated to Brian.

Mostly the Hamon. I haven’t seen any like this so far. The hitat-sura areas

Duties and tariffs are different things. The referenced HTS Code has been in place for some time, and it has exempted antiques over 100 years old from the imposition of duties. I have not seen the signed US-Japan trade agreement to see if it uses this HTS Code to exempt antiques over 100 years old from the imposition of the 15% tariff. The first executive order in April did not have this carve out. In other words, if the signed US-Japan trade agreement does not have an exception for this HTS Code, US buyers/importers may be in a position where, technically, antique blades are exempt from duties but not exempt from tariffs. Of course, actual enforcement of the tariffs and on-the-ground confusion over whether the HTS Code applies is another matter.

@Jacques….. fun /fʌn/ noun enjoyment, amusement, or light-hearted pleasure.

David, I like this blade for a first Nihonto. Papered Hozon and the price is negotiable, I think. You will learn a lot when you get it in-hand and examine it close up for yourself. Make an offer $1500 usd and see what the vendor says?