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The National Treasure thing is afaik the reason why you need an export license in the first place, because these are prohibited from export, while everything else only needs confirmation that it isn't a national treasure or designated cultural property or something. I remember the first time I went to Japan when I was 17 I bought one of these unsharpened aluminium alloy Iaidos and shortly before boarding they asked me to come to the counter and open my luggage and the customs officer put a maget on it, and two years ago I bought a naginata from Japan where the export permit took ages, so I presumed they were very strict. (And my experience living here also has given me a lot of contact with the Japanese bureaucracy)

Measurements;- - Nagasa: 20cm / 8 inches - Nakago: 9.5cm / 3.74 inches A few more detailed photos. (I hope) I will also add, it isn't sharp at all. Thanks again for any help, comments and or insight.

Any thoughts about the profile? it seems to have an unokubi-zukiri shape some photos are in other replies, which is even less ichimonji maybe another ichi …

my further confusion comes from the unokubi-zukiri shape the blade has

Ah ok, do you have any thoughts about the unokubi zukiri shape? seems like that might be a better factor for trying to id it.

It does look like it has mostly masame hada with only a few spots that differ. Another confusing part is the unokubi-zukiri shape, it doesn’t seem to fit with any thoughts so far.

Yes, I believe so

I would venture shinshinto as well.

I would call this a high quality cultural item. That is to say, it doesn't reflect a period when a blade and koshirae like this kept their original meaning, but rather from a period where it reflected on the cultural values of a previous period. So it might have been made for Japanese or tourist market, at a high level of craft, but more as a symbol than a reality.

真鍮四枚仕立地 is how it's reported in the NBTHK kanteisho

https://photos.app.goo.gl/4AauiBJfTekBeMAc7 Forgot to mention: well-loved silk sageo.

Mauro, does it really have four layers or was the FUKURIN counted as another layer? Otherwise, I would still call it a SAN-MAI TSUBA.

Agreed, let’s be done.

Dear members, I've found an unusual tsuba (see https://www.owazamono.com/tsuba-nagasaki) described as "4 construction plate". Since a 3-plate tsuba is described 三枚仕立 - sanmai-shitate, how is the right romaji for 四枚仕立? Maybe shimai-shitate? Thanks for reading.

Here is another work of his currently on Jauce. Starting bid ¥135,000. His skill and artistry are unquestionable.

Greatly appreciated @Kiril, I read it with interest. Thank you for putting the time and effort to write this piece. I liked the part about Kyushu Nihonto. It's a much overlooked production center, with scarce attention in the literature available in English.

I don’t remember off the top of my head but around 27/28 inches

Really?? Is this what the members of probably the best English speaking society of Nihonto studing community is lowering itself too. This is what 13yo kis do after watching lone walf and cub. This forum is visited by some very very experienced and respected peaple in the world and we are filling up the board with this nonsense???

Sorry David but your previous post is a mess to me... Why are the nakago blue ? Which one is yours? Hope it's not the fukure/ware one... Best regards, Eric

The Habaki appears to be silver- I would say that this in hand in my eyes is more than a tourist trade item I may try to remove handle just to see whats there-not sure if its pressed or mechanically fastened Thanks for the reply's a couple more pics

Very funy! In France we have a gimmick, a runing joke called Invitation to a "dîner de cons" ( moron's dîner). Seems you are sugesting to pinpoint the weirdest picture of sword expo we have seen...?

Thank you gentleman I actually could find some info on this smith "KANENAO (兼直), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Kanenao” (兼直), real name Ishihara Kanenao (石原金直), born May 25th 1908, he studied under Amachi Suzuichi (天地鈴市) and worked as a guntō smith"

Maybe check ikkansai yoshihiro

Thanks Alex. I agree that good blades are difficult to come across in the UK. I've generally been looking at auction site, and am aware of the dangers of such. I picked up two Muromachi in good polish in koshirae and shirasaya last year, one of which was papered, for £1500 each plus commission. I was able to view before purchase, and both had been assessed by Bill Tagg. I suppose I should lift my Tanto budget towards £1000. Thanks again Frank

Indeed. Give it a chance, some people only log in once every week or 2...