dkirkpatrick

I love the sugata, looks like a very strong stout sword. I know not in polish but what you can see do think jigane/hamon/boshi supports such an attribution? I feel like the mei flow is really good but hard to ignore Jacque’s adroit observations. Can you tell us more about the work?

The sugata leads me to think this isn’t anything earth shattering but as has been said for a hundred euro. I would think the tsuba alone would be worth 75-100 to someone.

I see nothing but showato. No real jigane or nie I could discern anyway. Doug

This brings up an interesting topic. What is to be done with swords like this (and worse) that don’t even come close to justify polishing time and money? Are there polishers in Japan early in apprenticeships that can work on these and even if not finished at high level, appropriately conserve these and bring out at least some appreciable aspects within a reasonable time frame/cost? Guessing much of this work would also have to be done on synthetic stones as I suspect it’s not cost effective to expend the finite supply of natural material. Not really expecting a clear answer just wondering in general and about what may be done with some of the lower tier items in my own collection. Doug

Thanks for the kantei Jacques and as always the enlightened conversation. I didn’t weigh in as I thought I recognized this blade from the Kotetsu/Kiyomaro book and didn’t want to spoil the fun. Doug

Guessing this is an older blade given the non-metal saya and type of leather cover, looking forward to more pics! Doug

Clive, Sorry if that’s what came across. My point was simply that as first Nihonto purchases go this was a great 1st study piece and while he may find it difficult to realize trade or sale value relative to what he paid for it that it still has great value in what he will have learned from it. Many worse “first Nihonto” stories out there. Doug

Like Kirill said, many possibilities here and probably difficult to say without being see in hand. O-suriage swords like this may not be the best “investment” but when you buy solid in-polish examples they can be a great way to see hada and hamon activities that you will read about in your studying. Nice sword!

I’m sorry to say but I don’t believe this to be Japanese. The blade geometry and the tsuka -ito don’t look right nor does the fit of the fuchi. It’s possible this could be cobbled together somehow but I’m guessing the nakago will prove this to be non-nihonto. Hope I’m wrong. Doug

Ujifusa?

Write your signature 5 times. They will be slightly different but you’ll be able to see the commonalities among them (peaks, pen lifts etc). Have your SO or friend try to copy; it will look similar but at a glance to you not the same. Now take that eye and apply it to these and you may see what others are seeing.

200 is OK if the tsuba isnt brand new, need better pics. Looks like you have a decent kozuka blade and a complete tsuka. If you’re really interested in learning about nihonto I would be aggressive with uchiko and oil on the blade and see what you are able to see in the way of forging details (hada) and temper line( hamon). No monetary value but could give you some insight.

So no pictures? Just an update that ya found them? Good deal.

Looks like a nice gunome hamon. This would be a good blade to use uchiko on and look at in varying light to train your eyes to see sword potential when out of polish. Doug

Please do not attempt to remove any rust, use only light oil. Mei to my eye looks like could be shoshin but no books on me now to compare. Good luck! Doug