Ed

Great to hear it ended in your favor. There was never a doubt in my mind the openings in the kissaki were not hagire. Best news to me, is a better opinion than my own, has acknowledged the legitimacy of the mei.

He states it is a Shinto blade made by Nobukuni in the 1400's . Kind of hard to make such claims when it is signed and dated Kanesada, 1944. Just noticed he has this under condition: “14th - 15th Century–1945 WW2 Sword Signed on both sides of the tang ”

Yes, The US has import laws. I brought 30 varieties of orchids from the Philippines a few years ago for my wife. They had to go through insect, bacterial, viral and fungal treatments for nearly a month in order to get the appropriate paperwork for import. The United States takes the import of plants and animals very seriously in order to facilitate the prevention of a public health disaster.

Nice examples! This thread makes me wish I had taken before photos of some of the ones I have had polished in the past.

Choshu Tomotsune

The Bat/Moon tsuba Axel posted above is signed, Inshu Ju Suruga Takaoki. According to Haynes, he became ninth master of the Suruga family school in 1837. His father Takashige, was made a retainer of the Matsudaira Daimyo in 1818. Nice Tsuba.

SOLD!!

Thanks Guys

The Jumyo Ha was located in Mino Province, predominantly in the town of Shimizu. This kaji dates back to the Shoo era c. 1288, known as ko-seki . The founder or shodai was called Saemonojo and his original kuni is said to have been Yamato Tegai. With such a long lineage, there were numerous smiths who used the name "Jumyo", many being indistinguishable from one another and being papered simply as Jumyo. This kaji or school, relocated to Nagoya in the early part of the Edo period, working for the Owari Tokagawa. This particular Katana has been attributed to, "Shinto Jumyo" per the NBTHK. Shinto Jumyo refers to an individual smith known as, "Mino no Kami Jumyo". Mino no Kami Jumyo worked c. 1661. His works were rated Chujosaku. This Katana is mumei, and suriage. The superbly forged Hada is a flawless Itame with Mokume mix. It clearly shows Chikei, Ji-nie, Shirake, etc. The gorgeous Hamon is Midare in Nioi with Ko-nie, Ashi, Yo, Nijuba , etc., etc. This sword has perfectly cut Bo-hi and So-hi which adds elegance and grace. This sword truly must be seen in hand, as it is ten times more beautiful than the photos could ever depict. NBTHK HOZON-TO SUGATA: SHINOGI ZUKURI MEI: MUMEI DATE: NONE NAGASA: 68.125cm (27.25") OVERALL: 87.81cm (35.125") MIHABA: 2.97cm KASANE: 0.625cm SORI: 1.875cm NAKAGO: O-SURIAGE MEKUGI ANA: THREE YASURIME: NONE MUNE: IORI HADA: ITAME MIXED WITH MOKUME HAMON: MIDARE KISSAKI: CHU BOSHI: KO-MARU HABAKI: ONE PIECE GOLD FOIL HORIMONO OMOTE: BO-HI, SO-HI HORIMONO URA: BO-HI, SO-HISOLD. Interested parties contact me via Yakiba.com@gmail.com

Adam, I didn't mean to imply that you had any problems with my description or photos. I just didn't want anyone else to get the wrong idea. Like Jeremiah I referred once again to the examples in Fujishiros and Sesko's. While I don't see any examples signed exactly like your sword, I was thinking the same thing today as back then. Thinking that there are so many variations who knows. Look at the examples on pg. 289-290 of Fujishiros, they are all different, same with the examples in Seskos. Hard to make a guess, so I gave info on the mei as signed, Dotanuki. If it was me and I was going to be in Tampa anyway, I would submit it. Not sure what the NTHK charges for bouncing one, but if it bounces you are not out much and if it passed, jackpot! If it bounces, I would ask about the kitae-ware vs hagiri. If they say kitae-ware have the mei removed and re-submit. It is still a nice sword and if mumei it will paper and you will have some idea of the maker. Ultimately, you must keep things in perspective. When you consider what you have in it vs. what a signed papered Dotanuki sells for, I would just enjoy it as is.

I sold this sword in 2012 with an absolutely clear description and multiple photographs of the area in question. Like Ray, I am of the opinion that this is kitae-ware, located in a less than optimal place on the blade. While unfortunate, it is what it is, and as Adam stated there was no attempt to hide this or deceive anyone. I gave my opinion, and stated clearly that any potential buyer should study the photos closely and decide for themselves prior to making a purchase. If there is any doubt, read the original listing and look at the photos. http://yakiba.com/Kat_Dotanuki.htm The photo that should have been added if you want opinions is the 40X magnification of the area in question. (1st photo below with others). You bought it dirt cheap, if you don't like it sell it.

I think that represented every time they killed someone. No wait, that was cowboys, never mind.

Kind of late now, but I had looked at several of these last night, but forgot to post my results. #2 Kofu Ju Toshimitsu #8 Ishiguro Masatsune #11 Edo Ju Nara Toshimitsu Glad to see the others that I didn't recognize. #6 I thought Naomasa, but wasn't sure. Pretty sure #9 is Nagatsune

Ted, Thanks for reiterating, and adding to my thoughts on this.

Absolutely right Neil. Put into context, if someone is willing to pay 50K for a brand new shinsakuto by a smith like Yoshihara, what's 10K for a nice Minotogawa if that is your desire.

Thanks for everyones input. As far as quality, flaws or being a masterpiece, it is the same with all sword-smiths. Not all of their works are masterpieces, quality varies. Sword making was not, is not based on a perfect formula when dealing with pattern welded steel, which is essentially what Japanese swords are/were in english terms. You can never be certain that all imperfections have been removed from a billet. That is why you occasionally see a blister or fukure become evident during polish. As far as what was released with the shrines blessing may have changed towards the end when resources where scarce and weapons were needed. That could explain why there are some examples with flaws. You must remember that not everything was set in stone, rules were made to be broken. To me the only feasible explanation for today's value of the Minotogawa swords is related to their rarity. There were less smiths forging these than the Yasukuni-To, and many of them ended up on the ocean floor. For example there was a nice Masataka post war commemorative sword in shirasaya which just sold for a little over $4000 Make no mistake, some of them are beautiful swords, but 10K. I suppose it is personal preference.

No not Gunto, Gendaito. These Minatogawa swords seem to command the top prices due to their quality, and most of all that genuine examples are so rare.

Huh?

Yeah, isn't it odd that they can take money from your account in the blink of an eye, but it takes 4-5 days to return it. They remind me of the old Highway Robbers only the new highway is the internet.

Looking for input/opinions on Minotogawa swords. Having spoken to a couple of members privately, I thought I would post this publicly and get as many opinions as people are willing to give. I understand that they are more rare than other war time gendaito such as Yasukuni-To, and they sell for premium prices of 8-10K or more these days. Yet, I can't help but wonder: 1. Are people actively seeking them at these prices? 2. Would you purchase one at these prices? For sake of this inquiry, I am referring to pristine pieces or as pristine as they can be in all original war time condition ie; excellent koshirae with proper tassel, kikusui habaki, ubu, signed along with kikusui mon, and dated. 3. What makes them so valuable or not in "your" opinion and why? 4. Which of these smith's do "you" consider to be the "best" and why? Thanks for your opinion. Ed

Bushu Ju Masahisa

Paypal is a mess. Christian and I had a problem a while back with their system and what seems to be their own currency exchange rates. He asked for payment of $XX which was sent. Unfortunately, and through no fault of his or mine, he received less than expected due to the internet bandits known as PP.

Joe, Damn I am sorry to hear that. Been there, done that. Even when it doesn't seem like it, you will recover in time. Not all and not saying it will be so in your case, but with myself and most of my friends who have gone through a divorce, in five years you realize it worked out for the best. The biggest downside is when children are involved. Women can come and go but your kids are forever. Make sure they understand that they had nothing to do with it as for some odd reason children may think a divorce is their fault. I am always on the lookout for my next ex-wife.

You can but I typically don't. I use it when making tomahawks. I have made a few billets of random pattern, feather pattern Damascus. For drawing out a billet I go to a friends who has a power hammer and hydraulic press.