Geraint

Dear Nick. Welcome to NMB. What sort of help are you looking for? A lot depends on some factors that you have not mentioned, is it coming out of Japan? I assume that it is because it has the registration papers with it, torokusho. Does it have authentication papers and if so who from? What is it being sold as? And of course, how much is being asked for it? Opinions will differ but from what I can see so far this is a mumei or unsigned sword that would now be classified as a wakizashi, a short sword. It seems from these images to be Koto, pre 1600. It has an unusual sugata, the overall shape of the blade, and might at one time have been a naginata or polearm. It seems to have a raised shinogi, the ridge running down the blade. It also has several flaws that from the images don't appear to be disastrous but should affect the value a little. So, it is a genuine Japanese sword. probably from the koto period, (but bear in mind that late koto swords are often not considered especially desirable - old does not always mean good in this hobby), and it is in shirasaya, the plain wooden mounts. Please feel free to ask more specific questions and throw out some more information, plenty of help here. All the best.

Dear Chris. Start with the habaki. All the best.

Dear All. Late to the thread but I have just come across this one, https://sanmei.com/contents/media/A29297_T5672_PUP3F.html Seems like it might have something to offer here. All the best.

Dear Okan. Compare here, https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/shop/product/antique-Japanese-sword-katana-signed-by-igano-kami-kinmichi-nbthk-hozon-certificate/ Nice thing to have! All the best.

Dear Matt. Sorry to hear of your unpleasant experience, however, over the years I have kept an eye out for Yoshitake blades and own a couple. They did very good work and the ones I have seen have always been stunning. They seem to have produced quite a few polearms of various styles. If you can bear to I would love to see some more of your gorgeous naginata. All the best.

Dear All. Some random thoughts: Collectables do come and go, art less so. My late father in law got burnt, pardon the pun, with cigarette cards. He collected when there was a market and had some fine and rare sets which sold for peanuts because smoking related collectables had fallen through the floor. These may come back into fashion as their age becomes greater and they become scarcer. How many times have you overheard in an antique shop, "Oh my grandparents had some of these but we threw them out!" Japanese swords are inextricably entwined with Samurai culture in a way that many modern collectables are not. The heroic warrior is a figure who has endured in culture, just look at the number and popularity of the films, TV shows and games which revolve around such idealised characters. In that context the samurai have a pretty secure future and so do their swords. From time to time I have the privilege of being invited into schools and colleges to talk about arms and armour; (it helps that both my girls are history teachers). Most recently I spoke with a groupof students using swords as a vehicle for discussing Japan and colonialism. I can assure you that there is no lack of interest, indeed fascination among them. The demand for selfies wearing the Hineno kabuto that I take in is high, among staff and students! The feedback from students and sometimes parents is also very positive. I am sure that affordability is an issue, especially at the moment, and the generous supply of fakes will put some off but I have no doubt that there will be a new generation of collectors. If not, well so what? I made life choices that ensured I would never have the money to collect serious swords and fittings but over the years I have had endless hours of pleasure with what I have collected and researched. From time to time I do consider what will happen to it all and would hope to at least recoup what I have spent over the years but if I or my executors don't then what does it matter? I'm very sure that they will do better than they would if I had played golf and spent the same amount of money on that. No offense to the golfers among us but I'm sure you catch my drift. I've had, and for the moment continue to have, an absolute blast studying and collecting. I spent money on it when I could and enjoyed every minute. Well, that's enough of that! All the best.

Dear James. Welcome to NMB. Your sword is indeed a Japanese sword and from the images so far is an older blade as opposed to one made during the War. Older blades were used for a variety of reasons and, while it is tempting to believe that it is a family blade often they were contingency blades gathered for the war effort. You can clearly see that it is machi okuri, the steps on the nakago where the habaki fits have been moved up. This has been done without shortening the tip of the nakago so what you have is a mumei or un signed sword.. In that condition it is not going to be possible to tell you much more but a shot of the whole blade with the habaki removed might allow a suggestion as to it's age. Is it in standard military mounts? All the best.

Dear Colin. Nothing generic about that one for me, a nicely carved dragon with some movement, interesting clouds and not a design that I've seen before. Nice tsuba! All the best.

Hi John. The face of the kozuka depicts Shoki, the demon queller, who carries a ken. In spite of his fearsome name Shoki is often shown in a rather humorous way with oni hiding from him. This one seems to be hanging from a bell behind his back. All the best.

Thank you so much Moriyama san. Unfortunately the quality does not justify that mei. Ho, hum, still pleasant enough. All the best.

Dear All. Picked up a kozuka which I rather liked but when it comes to fittings artists I have trouble working out who I am looking at. I think this reads Hiromoto Masasane but would love some help on that. Many thanks for any help. All the best.

Dear Chris. Welcome to NMB! I very much fear that your ken has been ruinously treated by a previous custodian. Looking at the area just above the habaki it seems that someone has drastically thinned down the blade, probably in an effort to remove pitting, and that they too could not remove the habaki. You may be able to remove it but possibly not. When you suggest that the blade still retains a polish I think you might just be seeing whatever that last owner did to the blade and therefore none of the features that would confirm it's age is likely to be visible. Keep it lightly oiled and enjoy it for what it is. All the best.

Dear Vitaly. Just in case you don't know this, each habaki is specific to each sword, you will almost certainly not find one that will fit so you would need to have one made for your blade. Add to that that it won't necessarily fit the saya and you have quite a skilled job on your hands, (or in someone else's). It is often suggested that certain swords are not worth spending money on but I can understand the desire to see it in better shape. Why not just give it a sageo and live with it for a bit? In a year you might feel differently about it. All the best.

Nigel, I think Bazza has edited and reoriented yours. It's a nice looking sword with pleasant koshirae. The handwriting isn't a good match so I would suggest buying it for what it is, not what it might be. All the best.

Dear Ron. I am sorry that I can't answer your question but surely this is a wari kogai rather than an umbari? Either way it is beautiful! All the best.

Just to add, the existing wrap is incorrect in that the crossovers of the ito all go in the same direction rather than alternating. As well as the other stuff. All the best.

Dear Joe. Let me spare Jaques the necessity of replying. Put this image besides yours, the differences should be obvious. Enjoy your sword for what it is. All the best.

Dear Vitaly. The question is why are you looking at it? Look somewhere else, quick! All the best.

Dear All. It is possible that certificates have got mixed up or that the sword Vadim linked to is a different wakizashi. In either case a mumei Fujiwara Takada judgement is not likely to be changed much by a new certificate, so I think the answer to the question is that the certifcate is OK. Perhaps send us the link to the sword in question for more detailed comment, Josh? By the way that's a really nice thing to buy someone as a present. All the best.

Try this one April,https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/ Look for, 'Sword care and cleaning'. Hope this one works for you. All the best.

Dear April. Welcome to NMB! Here is another thread which discusses this smith, (as well as quite a lot of other stuff). It is interesting that this too has an inscription naming the person for whom the sword was made. If you scroll down a bit you will find a link from Grey to a care and handling guide. Once you are familiar with those things we would all love to see photographs of the restored sword. I can't throw any light on the box signature but if it coincides with the time your Father sent the sword to Japan then it is probably the maker. All the best.

Dear Bob. Thank you for deciding to post these, the face of Shoki alone is enough to justify their inclusion! Beautiful set. All the best.

Dear Derek. Some information here, http://www.ksky.ne.jp./~sumie99/fuchikashiramade.html Let us know how it goes. All the best.

Dear Dan. Heed Brian's advice! Because of the association with Musashi this design has been endlessly copied and is widely available in the martial arts fraternity. Look at the shape of the seppa dai, the awkward shaping at the top and bottom and the fact that the punch marks around the nakago ana seem to be the same on both sides. My suspicion is that this is a reproduction that has had a hard life or been deliberatley aged. Have a look at some papered examples and compare, see what you think. All the best.

How unfortunate for Mr Walter Bruno Brix that his name should be proudly appended to such a load of twaddle, and given the nature of the internet there for all time! At least in the UK no one admits to having written the catalogue entries. All the best.