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Didier, If authenticity is in question, why not post in the "Wanted-To-Buy" section? You will get authentic tassels at good prices. When I purchased a field-grade tassel and a kaigunto tassel, I purchased them through long-time, trusted members here. Have been happy ever since. Just my sincere suggestion. Hoanh

Please accept my condolences. I feel your pain, Jean. Hoanh

From the suguta, I would guess Muromachi, not Kamamura. Hoanh

The nakago looks promising. Hoanh

Hoanh

Shameless plug: I have one for sale http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/26917-books-for-sale/ Many thanks, Hoanh

Yes, Yoshu Yoshihiro, I think. The sword is dated August 1938, well-signed, but I don't seem to be able to find an oshigata of this smith online or in John Slough's book or in the Gendai Toko Meikan. Any info on this smith is much appreciated. Many thanks, Hoanh

Thanks for the invite, Chris. If I am ever in the area, I will take you up on your offer. I have an old Canon Rebel XTi, with a standard lens and a macro lens with f/2.8. I would say any DSLR will do, and it's matter a preference whether one goes with Canon or Nikon. Choose carefully, though, because once you invest money in the lenses, you will likely stick with manufacturer. Get a sturdy tripod that can look down 90 degrees. That way, later when you get into tosugu, you will be all set. Also, build a contraption that can hold the sword *securely* in place and rotate the sword around hands-free. That way, you won't have to touch the camera or the sword, and you can play lots of tricks with aperture and exposure without worrying about vibrations. It took me a while to build my set up, but it's a one-time investment (time-wise). Hoanh

Kaifu? Hoanh

Chris, The nakago is out of focus, but from what I can see, it looks legit. In order to take focused, close up pictures, you will need a macro lens, say f/2.8. It's a little pricey, but if you stay with the nihonto hobby, it is worth the money. In addition to the lens, lighting is tricky at best. It's all a matter of playing with the combination of camera, lens, and lighting until you get a hang of it. Have fun! Hoanh

Chris, What would help is if you can take focused, close up pictures of small segments (1-2 inches) of the hamon where you see nie. See for examples the picture below. Hoanh

Chris, The hamon looks etched, and the lines look rounded. I would pass on this one. Hoanh

Great big thanks to Steve and John. Hoanh

Steve, Could it be Yoshu Yoshihiro saku? Many thanks, Hoanh

Greetings, I spent a lot of time getting nowhere and would like to ask for some help. It's dated August of Showa 13. Could it be Noshu Yoshinori saku? Many thanks, Hoanh

Th This attitude/belief is exactly why history keeps repeating itself. It reminds me of a story I was told many, many years ago. A history teacher was confiding with the school principal. “Nobody cares about the past. They think there is nothing to learn. My students do not have basic knowledge even of recent events from a mere century ago. Is it ignorance or apathy?” To that question, the principal replied: “I don’t know, and I don’t care!” If we do not study/care about history, we only have ourselves to blame when (not if) history repeats itself. Hoanh

It's just not the money people saved. It's the aggravation of "being had!" Hoanh

Is it me, or do I see signs that a stamp may have been removed near the area under the habaki? Hoanh

John, Is your saya lightly textured/specked, not uniformly painted like most saya? Hoanh

I have a gunto with brown/gold tone saya, 100% original, that houses a Muto Yukihiro star stamped blade. I’ll try to post a picture. Always wondered about the saya color myself. Glad the question was asked! Hoanh

Yes, from what I can see, it looks like a genuine gunto. Hoanh

I am with Peter on this one. Blade looks legitimate, but perhaps oil quenched, and mei was added recently? The mei doesn’t look chiseled. Tsukamaki looks right. Hoanh

+1 Hoanh

s Assuming all is period-correct as Matt says, I would guess Nambokucho, may be Hojoji? Hoanh

The nakago looks ubu and not that old. My blind guess would be shinshinto or later. May be an utsushi of some type. Hoanh