Fake Japanese Swords Latest Topics

Is this a real Japanese sword or fake

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 20:41:15 +0000

Is this real or a fake Japanese sword.

Fake Type 95 Nco Swords

Thu, 23 Jun 2016 09:55:09 +0000

Hi all,

while I'm sure our members know how to pick a fake NCO, I wanted to share these.

http://mountcastlesantiques.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=18&products_id=277

http://mountcastlesantiques.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=18&products_id=276&zenid=qot0424cgushvekob07rapkkq2

The really disappointing part is that I informed the site owner about the first sword and provided a comprehensive list of indicators the sword is not genuine. I offered to send photos or provide opinions from experienced collector's. After that I heard nothing. Today I checked, just in case the sword was pulled from sale, and lo and behold there is a 'rare copper handle' now listed, clearly of the same manufacturer. Truly disappointing.

Flags with letters at habaki. Batshiet crazy bid.

Sun, 10 May 2026 07:42:05 +0000

I always thought these were obvious, low quality even as fakes, chinese trash.

1300$ sold 9th of May 2026.

Like holy shiet.

Please link here main thread I know I saw this somewhere.

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/WWII-Japanese-Shin-Gunto-Officers-Katana-w-Scabb-2703-c-7601654E68?utm_source=smsalert&utm_medium=sms&utm_campaign=15lotsawayalert

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/230471281_wwii-Japanese-shin-gunto-officers-katana-w-scabbard-valparaiso-in

Identifying 2 WW2 swords with option to buy

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 10:14:11 +0000

Hello from Australia, I have an opportunity to purchase these 2 swords.

I was just checking in to see if they are genuine and worth grabbing?

Sorry for the ordinary pics they were taken discreetly.

Thanks in advance.

Mark.

Trying to identify sword

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 01:34:53 +0000

Hello all- as most stories go, this sword was part of my wife’s father’s estate. He was a character- and tended to buy “stories “ not objects.

He was even on an episode of American Pickers tv show!

the blade is a long sword- not sharp - but seems it could be. The handle and scabbard are very light wood.

I took the handle off - and I see what appears to be a serial number “265”

it has a small knife in the side of the scabbard

Brass tsuba that is ornate.

The scabbard has several cracks - I would love advice on how to repair ?

maybe a Japanese NCO sword? Has a very odd cardboard “shim” that’s a folded cardboard with Japanese print

appreciate any all info - not interested in selling wife would kill me with it .

Links to sites showing fake Japanese swords

Sat, 21 Jun 2025 08:00:36 +0000

Before making an uncertain purchase, here are a few sites worth checking out first. They have good examples of what to look for, and show some of the common fakes.

https://geishasblade.com/beware-of-fake-japanese-swords/

https://www.jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html
https://www.japaneseswordindex.com/repro.htm

https://www.japaneseswordindex.com/realold.htm
https://www.japannakama.co.uk/lifestyle/how-to-spot-fakes-and-replicas-when-buying-samurai-swords/

WW2 Japanese Samurai sword

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:23:18 +0000

Any help with translation

Thank You

One gunto T94/T98 fake to rule them all. With all fake atributions at once.

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 20:28:48 +0000

New topic as I couldn't find similar example here.

Seller agrred with my quick "that's obvious fake mate" argument and lowered price by 80%

:D even changed description for "faithful replica"

Exact tsuba patern [but not open type like here] was with one Emura I bought and it was offered with another yet obvious fake.

We see similar ones with different more dense tsukamaki.

Inoue Shinkai signature, Enpo 4 (1676)

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 21:04:18 +0000

Looking for a baseline opinion on a wakizashi bearing an Inoue Shinkai signature and an Enpo 4 (1676) date.

Tsugukuni???

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 17:25:38 +0000

Little help, guys, please? As you know I'm terrible with these, but looks like 次邦, but I don't see it in Sesko's list.

Really Good Copper Type 95 FAKE

Sat, 30 May 2026 03:04:27 +0000

I thought I'd post this here for the exposure, then it can be moved to the Fake Sword thread.

Found at this Western Trading Post auction (Invaluable)

At first, I thought it was legit, but with wrong saya. But red flags:

1. No dimples in the tsuka diamonds

2. Wrong curvature of latch

3. A zero in the front of the serial number "02353".

4. Wrong ending of the bohi

Patina to the tsuka is shockingly good and stamps are pretty darn close, however the center "TO" is too big.

I'll post their photos and what it should look like right next to them:

FAKE REAL

Translate

Sun, 31 May 2026 20:29:40 +0000

Can someone tell me what era this maybe from and translate the text?

Sword Identification help

Fri, 29 May 2026 16:25:26 +0000

Hello all,

Recently a good friend of mine acquired this sword and we’re looking for help identifying the smith and other pertinent information like the age and style. Any information you can give will be greatly appreciated.

Gunto - is it authentic?

Tue, 26 May 2026 23:30:39 +0000

Is this an authentic gunto?

How long before…….

Wed, 13 May 2026 13:03:22 +0000

……….the proud new owner of these comes on here asking for opinions?☹️

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/lawrences-auctioneers-of-crewkerne/catalogue-id-srlawre10245/lot-a702559b-d2ea-481e-afb4-b43500bfb46e

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/lawrences-auctioneers-of-crewkerne/catalogue-id-srlawre10245/lot-a483c013-6d87-4afd-83ea-b43500bfb46e

….and others in the same sale all with misleading descriptions.

Help translating mei and identifying era

Sun, 10 May 2026 23:24:08 +0000

Hi, looking at purchasing this stamped katana that appears to have been remounted. The site describes it as having "type 98 Shin Guntō" proportions but the nakago and mei look older to me.

I'd really appreciate help with Reading the mei, I can make out what might be 日 at the top but I'm guessing past that

Any thoughts on likely era / school based on the nakago shape and patina?

Whether the koshirae looks like genuine WWII remounting of an older blade, or something else?

Anything that jumps out as gimei red flags?

Shin Gunto Identification

Sat, 09 May 2026 23:51:24 +0000

Hello, I just received 3 swords and I was wondering if I could get some help with identifications and pricing? Any help at all is appreciated.

Contemporary product inspired by gunto?

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 20:47:26 +0000

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/229095264_katana-san-fernando-ca

Fuchi and kuchi-gane looks really good.

I don't know what to think about this example.

It dsn't try to fake anything, at least this time by simple desription - "katana".

Nice tsukamaki.

Did we have anything similar before?

Help Identifying and Disassembling WWII-Era Japanese Gunto — Matching Numbers, Possible Hamon

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 05:59:48 +0000

Hello everyone,

I'm hoping someone here can help me with a sword I acquired about two years ago from a coin shop, which had three of the same style — I believe they were a WWII bring-back lot.

What I have:

Full-length katana with round brass tsuba, brass fuchi and kashira

Leather-wrapped handle (currently unwrapped) over a wooden tsuka core

Leather-over-wood scabbard with suspension hardware

Matching number "76" stamped on the tsuba AND inked on the wooden tsuka core, accompanied by what appears to be a kanji character

Two small circular punch marks on the habaki that may be arsenal inspection stamps

Shinogi-zukuri blade geometry clearly visible

What appears to be a hamon still visible along the edge zone

Woodworm exit holes in the tsuka wood consistent with age

My problem:

I cannot locate the mekugi. I am a woodworker with a good eye for grain anomalies and foreign objects in wood. I have examined all four sides carefully, used raking flashlight angles, and carefully removed some lacquer in spots — nothing. The sword acts as a complete rigid unit when tapped. The tsuba has slight play but the handle and blade feel like one piece.

My questions:

Could anyone help identify the specific type — Type 94, Type 98, or other?

Can anyone identify what the kanji character alongside "76" might be?

Can anyone identify the arsenal from the two punch marks on the habaki?

Most importantly — is there a disassembly method specific to this construction I may be missing? Is it possible there is no mekugi and it relies purely on friction fit? Could the pommel come off independently giving access from that end?

I have extensive photos of the blade, habaki, tsuba, tsuka wood, markings, and hamon activity and am happy to share whatever is needed.

Thank you in advance for any help.

Sword found in father’s house

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 23:51:42 +0000

Hello,
I am hoping to get some help identifying the kanji inscriptions on a Japanese sword I recently acquired. I am not sure of its provenance and would greatly appreciate any assistance from those more knowledgeable than myself.
Here is what I can observe:
• Single-edged curved blade with visible hamon (temper line)
• Round brass/bronze tsuba (hand guard)
• Leather-wrapped tsuka (handle) in diamond pattern over dark core, heavily worn
• Brass habaki (blade collar) with possible kanji marking
• Leather-wrapped saya (scabbard) with metal bands
• Multiple kanji inscriptions on the blade face
• There also appears to be a secondary inscription further down the blade
I have attached several photos including close-ups of the inscriptions from multiple angles.
My specific questions are:
   1.   Can anyone read/translate the kanji inscriptions on the blade?
   2.   Based on the fittings and style, can you estimate the period or type (katana, tachi, gunto)?
   3.   Is the inscription on the blade face typical, or is this more likely an ownership/dedication inscription rather than a smith’s mei?
   4.   Would you recommend pursuing formal shinsa/NBTHK appraisal?
Thank you very much for any help you can offer. I want to make sure this piece is properly identified and preserved

Fake gunto in leather cover.

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 07:47:30 +0000

Bo-hi and tsuka-ito both with ito quality and wrapping patern are biggest indicators.

Offered as original for 2699$ feels like promotion?

https://ebay.us/m/EvaCCk

Fake NCO katana, possibly the worst I have seen.......

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:28:17 +0000

I saw this 'authentic' NCO's katana listed on fleabay. It is perhaps the worst example that I have as yet seen. Maybe a portent of things to come, but at least, to those with a modicum of knowledge, an obvious fake! Thankfully, it seems that some are not even trying to copy originals any longer, which should hopefully, make things a bit easier for the newcomers.

Type 95 NCO sword Identification assistance needed

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 20:57:58 +0000

Hello from Oklahoma,

We recently acquired this sword and have been doing our best to correctly identify it. Based on the brass handle it appears to be an early model from the late 30s but the serial leads us to early mid 40s. So I was hoping some of the trained individuals here can set us on the right course. The scabbard does not appear to have any serial numbers so that is a bust. But the rest has a few markings that we were able to research with your page info.. I can only load this many pics I will try again in a follow up post

Is this real or not!

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 09:58:07 +0000

Hi.

I been trying to establish if this is or not. But that has been a harder task than I had imagined 🥲 been accused for fraud with times and no answers at all.
Even I have not tried to sell. I want to buy, but need to know if it’s real or not.

Hope there is someone that at least can guide me on the way.

Thanks in advance

happy days

Translation and information

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:53:43 +0000

Hello, was interested in translation and any information on this sword. It was passed down and we aren't sure if it is real or not either. Any help would be greatly appreciated.