Ed

Robert, Sorry to hear this happened. Nothing worse than being the victim of theft. If you are local I would hit all the gun/knife shows in the area, as well as pawn shops in the event it was a local walk-in. If, they are looking to sell it, they probably know not to put it on the internet and will likely try and sell it person to person. Hope you get it back. Ed

Gorgeous Tsuba. This is a popular motif and seen in many variations. The iris depicted is the rabbit eared iris or kakitsubata. There is a famous Noh play surrounding this. Noh Kakitsubata 杜若 (“The Iris”) An episode in the Tales of Ise (Ise Monogatari) tells of the famed Heian poet, Ariwara no Narihira, and his stopping at Yatsuhashi where he was struck with the beauty of its blooming irises. There he composed a poem using in order the five syllables of kakitsubata (iris) as the beginning of each of the five lines of the poem. In this poem, he recalled his ill-fated love with the Empress Takako. In the play, a priest visits Yatsuhashi and sees the beautifully blooming irises. There, a young woman appears to him and invites him to stay at her cottage. She then appears in a magnificent robe and reveals that she is the spirit of the irises immortalized in Narihira’s poem. She tells the Narihira’s story and dances in his memory. . ..

Gee guys, thank you for the kind words.

Interesting sword, interesting post. All of the opinions given are mere speculation based on a few photos. Some will argue that the mei is good, some will say it is not. Some will be right, some wrong. With a smith of this caliber comes into play several factors which make authentication difficult. First, he signed with several different mei over the years. Second, there are differences noted even among known shoshin works. Third, there are many gimei signatures with a smith of this fame, some by experts at forging gimei signatures, like Kajihei. In my opinion, a sword with this potential, warrants being viewed by someone at the highest level. Someone like Tanobe or the NBTHK. With Tanobe being the former head of the NBTHK, I would probably prefer his judgement over today’s NBTHK. My only advise would be, do not cut corners to save money with this sword. Tanobe can most likely pass judgement from the mei alone. If not, he will be able to give you the best advise you can get. If Tanobe authenticates the mei, then have it polished. Again, if deemed shoshin, do not have this sword polished by just anyone. There are some polishers in Europe, but unless I am mistaken, none have completed a full apprenticeship in Japan (I’ll probably catch flak over that). Self-trained or partially trained polishers are not good enough if this is a Kiyomaro! Darcy Brockbank doesn’t live in Japan but has excellent connections in Japan and is as trustworthy as there is. There would be no reason for concern sending your sword to him. Darcy can get your sword looked at by Tanobe and into the hands of an excellent polisher. In closing, I would ask that in the event you don’t want to send it to Japan or wait to have it polished, as you mentioned. Please sell it to someone who will take the time and effort to see it through in the best possible manner.

Was this on EBay? It was on YHJP: https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/w307428001

Thank you for the kind words.

Naginata, Masamori was $6000, now SOLD http://yakiba.com/Nag_Masamori.htm

What a nice sword!!! Can't believe it is homeless.

Thanks for catching that Ray, I did leave out the "shu" in the title (fixed), but it s translated on the photo of the mei. Best, Ed

Grev, T085 is grass orchids (Ran), not Irises (Shobu). Best of luck with your sales. Ed

Brian, Thanks for catching that . Maybe that is why it hasn't sold? Who wants a 1.75cm nagasa It really is a nice naginata. It has that dark spot in the steel, but it is not raised, can't be felt and you only see it when the light hits it just right.

Updated List: Gendaito Akinori was $6000, now SOLD http://yakiba.com/Kat_Akinori.htm Naginata, Masamori was $6000, now $3500 http://yakiba.com/Nag_Masamori.htm Showato, Seki Kanetsugu was $950, now SOLD http://yakiba.com/Kat_Kanetsugu.htm Tanto, mumei in Koshirae was $2800, now $2000 http://yakiba.com/Ta...ei_Koshirae.htm Wakizashi, mumei was $1200, now SOLD http://yakiba.com/Wak_Mumei2_WS.htm Wakizashi, mumei was $950, now SOLD http://yakiba.com/Wak_Mumei1_WS.htm Prices do not include S/H/I. For purchase contact Yakiba.com@gmail.com No PM’s please.

Wakizashi, mumei was $950, now $650 http://yakiba.com/Wak_Mumei1_WS.htm On Hold pending payment.

http://yakiba.com/Wak_Mumei2_WS.htm SOLD!

Gendaito Akinori was $6000, now SOLD http://yakiba.com/Kat_Akinori.htm

But they do say or imply exactly that and have for years. Peter's comment, "So, if it ain't got papers, you have to bet that it tried but missed..." Robert's comment, “assume that it is likely to be gimei, if you bought it from Japan without papers”. In retrospect, perhaps I should have worded this comment better. I did not mean to imply that there were any ratio's such as a 50/50 chance, involved. All I meant is what I have said from the beginning: NOT ALL swords that come out of Japan without papers are gimei. Nothing more, nothing less!!! Should you use caution, absolutely!! I can't help but wonder if some of you didn't read my original post, or misunderstood my meaning, as I clearly wrote: 1. There are many swords imported which are gimei, gimei is a common occurrence seen in Japanese swords. 2. Many swords have been imported with/without papers which are gimei. What I have tried, yet apparently failed to do is to encourage collectors to study opposed to blindly accepting information. If there is a flaw in that concept, I apologize.

Ken, I am saying that not all swords that come out of Japan without papers are gimei. Nothing more, nothing less.

Peter, That seems like rather grandiose thinking. Do you really believe that every exported sword has been FORMALLY evaluated and assessed? Please explain to me why so many unpapered swords receive papers every year? Were not the majority of these swords legally exported from Japan ? That is worse misinformation to spread than the topic of this post. I have imported too many swords bought from dealers in Japan with no papers, which were papered later upon shinsa submission to even consider your position. That is exactly what I said. "Certainly, gimei is a possibility, but it is just as unlikely as likely". I am not over-making anything, and I wasn't really singling you out, I have been hearing this nonsense for years. The point is that this myth regarding Japanese swords being likely gimei if they come from Japan without papers is simply not true. As I said originally, certainly, gimei is a possibility, but it is just as unlikely as likely. I beg to differ. I think better to be truthful and not scare off new potential buyers, by providing information which is inaccurate. And the statement, “assume that it is likely to be gimei, if you bought it from Japan without papers”, is inaccurate. I think it better to know that a sword exported from Japan may be gimei, but it just as well may be shoshin. I think it better to encourage study and educating oneself in order to increase the odds of making a better decision on any sword you consider buying. I will leave it at that, take from it what you will, believe what you will, but for new collectors, know that not all swords which are exported from Japan without papers are gimei.

That is just not true Brian. Most of the dealers and collectors in Japan don't have near the focus on papers as we westerners do. Yes, they have easy access to shinsa, but they generally don't rely on papers or don't care to incur the costs on what they deem merchandise. There are lots and lots of big name pieces, swords and fittings sold by dealers in Japan who later paper. There is at least one member here who if he would, chime in and tell you how many tsuba he has bought from big name dealers in Japan and then papered them to Juyo. You would not believe it. And though my focus was initially regarding swords, it is the same for fittings. I will stand adamantly by my comment that because a blade comes from Japan without papers it is gimei, is total nonsense!

This should have been on an episode of Myth Busters. The idea that if a blade comes from Japan without papers it is gimei, is total nonsense. Stop and think about that statement. Didn't every Japanese sword come from Japan? How many people here have had swords with no papers that later papered? Plenty! I have imported many swords from Japan which had no papers, yet later papered. Certainly, gimei is a possibility, but it is just as unlikely as likely. Which is the best reason for study, so you can make an educated decision. Even if that decision only gets you close enough to decide whether the probability of passing warrants a submission to shinsa. There are many swords imported which are gimei, gimei is a common occurrence seen in Japanese swords. Many swords have been imported with papers which were gimei. Many swords with papers have later been deemed gimei. Many swords deemed gimei later papered. Papers are just an opinion, and the blades are subject to varying interpretations or opinions. So to profess that just because a sword comes from Japan without papers it is gimei, is nothing more than misinformation. Please, please stop perpetuating this harmful and inaccurate myth.

This should have been on an episode of Myth Busters. The idea that if a blade comes from Japan without papers it is gimei, is total nonsense. Stop and think about that statement. Didn't every Japanese sword come from Japan? How many people here have had swords with no papers that later papered? Plenty! I have imported many swords from Japan which had no papers, yet later papered. Certainly, gimei is a possibility, but it is just as unlikely as likely. Which is the best reason for study, so you can make an educated decision. Even if that decision only gets you close enough to decide whether the probability of passing warrants a submission to shinsa. There are many swords imported which are gimei, gimei is a common occurrence seen in Japanese swords. Many swords have been imported with papers which were gimei. Many swords with papers have later been deemed gimei. Many swords deemed gimei later papered. Papers are just an opinion, and the blades are subject to varying interpretations or opinions. So to profess that just because a sword comes from Japan without papers it is gimei, is nothing more than misinformation. Please, please stop perpetuating this harmful and inaccurate myth. Apologies for the off-topic rant.

My condolences as well.

Gendaito Akinori was $6000, now ON HOLD pending payment http://yakiba.com/Kat_Akinori.htm

Yakiba.com Gendaito Akinori was $6000, now $3000 http://yakiba.com/Kat_Akinori.htm Naginata, Masamori was $6000, now $3500 http://yakiba.com/Nag_Masamori.htm Showato, Seki Kanetsugu was $950, now SOLD http://yakiba.com/Kat_Kanetsugu.htm Tanto, mumei in Koshirae was $2800, now $2000 http://yakiba.com/Tanto_Mumei_Koshirae.htm Wakizashi, mumei was $1200, now $650 http://yakiba.com/Wak_Mumei2_WS.htm Wakizashi, mumei was $950, now $650 http://yakiba.com/Wak_Mumei1_WS.htm Prices do not include S/H/I. For purchase contact Yakiba.com@gmail.com No PM’s please.

Adam, I get the feeling that you are unhappy with the results of the shinsa and that is difficult for me to comprehend. It is as though you wanted confirmation that you “made a bad buy”. The rationale for my hypothesis of your unhappiness stems from the following statements throughout your post: “It's time I come to grips with the fact that I made a bad buy a few years back”. “several knowledgeable people told me it is gimei and more likely than not has hagiri”. “100% hagire, right? I’m fairly certain it is”. “Since there is no point sending to shinsa since it will auto fail” “I thought I would ask for some help on here to identify it.” “I just want to clear up my own confusion as I keep hearing different things from different people”. “My main question is mostly about the mei”. “some people said "gimei" so that got me wondering what the sword really is if not dotanuki”. “I showed it to someone at the show who pointed out it looks like there are two possible hagire in the middle of the blade which were hidden with some scuff marks. They're also so super tiny that you have to take out a loupe to see them and know where they are but they're there. “It was mixed. Of the people in the panel, only one could see anything and only on one side.” Instead, you received confirmation of the sword’s legitimacy, yet you still seem unhappy. Let’s answer your pre-shinsa statements from above: No, it was not a bad buy! Now you have a signed, papered Dotonuki at approximately 1/3-1/4 what they sell for today. How knowledgeable do you think they are now? Not as much, right? 100% wrong! Really?? I hope this has been a positive learning experience for you. Forget listening to those (less than) knowledgeable people that you seemed to rely on so heavily. Several people here gave you sound advice, but Franco’s post summed it up the best: “While Shinsa may doom it, a positive outcome will assure and lay to rest any doubt should you decide to sell.” Can’t answer that one. 100% confirmed opinion of shinsa team, mei is good!! Some people, several knowledgeable people, were WRONG! Upon reexamination, shinsa team stands by their original decision and reiterate “they (no, one person) could only see them on one side and that they were extremely small, even suggesting they might polish out. I take that to mean they don't agree that they're hagire after all. They're sticking with the decision to issue papers for this sword”. Then it wasn’t hagiri!!! ** Let’s be clear for you and anyone else with a lack of knowledge or any doubt: Hagiri is a crack in the edge of a blade. A crack goes completely through the blade! There is no “one sided” crack! Those are scratches or ware. A crack/hagiri will not polish out, unless it is so short (couple of mm) that when polished, enough of the edge is removed to result in the edge being moved past that point, back into healthy steel. You finish with you may sell it as your tastes have changed, but it seems you are still not satisfied. Yet, that is merely my opinion based on gut feeling and maybe I am wrong. Regardless, if you want to sell it, write me via e-mail, I may buy it back.