Stuart R

Hi guys, Sword was returned! I figured it would be better to save the money instead of taking a huge risk on something experts were not sure on. The owners seemed..... upset that I was not happy with it, nor that other people had checked it out and found flaws. Thanks for everything, I really couldn't have learned as much without everyones help on here- kudos!

Hi David, ....They needed the money, happens all the time and I see expensive things go for nothing, though I wasn't completely UN- suspicious myself, nor do I blame anyone else for thinking it was a bit fishy. Then again, everything in Vegas is so overpriced so I'm not really surprised they over paid for it too. So yeah, its a bummer sword I take it

I live in Canada- the sword was purchased in Las Vegas at the "Ville Riel" 2-3 years ago, apparently it cost them $40,000 and the statue cost an additional $5000. I tried calling the boutique up but the number always came up busy, perhaps it was disconnected or they closed down (their site is still up though). I still have the opportunity to not keep the sword which might be a good idea. From what people have told me here, it is either a good repro, a overpriced repro or a bad overpriced repro of a Kanemoto- would anyone have an estimate of value for a sword like this as a early repro not associated with Togo? Thanks again!

Hi guys, So the general idea is that it is not his sword, nor is signed by a real Kanemoto, but rather a unrelated sword that is a early reproduction of the Kanemoto symbol. So I take it the $4000 was not a great investment? I was under the impression it would be worth double that as a good, stand alone sword without provenance. Again, thank you for the information, I have the option to return it as well. I was really hoping it would be the real thing, I guess he didn't have several swords? Thanks again!

Hi folks, I am grateful for all the info received but am quite confused, as Stephen said you never can learn enough from swords, and I just started! I take it there is some general confusion on the blade, so perhaps it isn't a Kanemoto but a different signature from a different period? All help is appreciated! -------------------------------- Stuart Russell

I paid $4000 for the sword and statue. The original documentation was lost when the owners accidentally sold it with a suit of Samurai display armor, which is quite a shame as they had the original purchase documents AND an appraisal for well over $40k. I know the sword may be very hard to trace back to Togo, all I have is the statue and the hope that the signature could be linked to him somehow. I was wondering if what I paid was reasonable for this sort of sword and if anyone could suggest it being real, and what period it is from? Many thanks for all the help! -------------------- Stuart Russell

Hi all, I am a new member to the forums and have been recommended by many highly knowledgable collectors including Steve C. I just purchased Tōgō Heihachirō's sword (the famous Admiral) off a collector who was selling his collection, it also came with his bronze statue, a copy of the real large on in Japan. This was a huge gamble for me since I am not quite knowledgeable on Japanese swords here are the pictures- I don't know if he owned the sword for ceremonial purposes or what, nor do I know if it belongs to his earlier family. It also comes with a statue of Togo and the sword blade is signed. If anyone could help me with this I could be very much appreciative. If anyone could read the markings that would be great too,there is a small marking (see pics) on the scabbard which I am not sure of the meaning. . The sword was purchased in Las Vegas at a very expensive boutique. info: : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C5%8D...eihachir%C5%8D Thanks, I hope I didn't screw up! all pics at: http://s1218.photobucket.com/albums/...word%20Katana/