Grey Doffin

Hi Dan, Maybe late Koto (16th century) or early Shinto (17th century) but in hand examination is needed for a more definite guess. Grey

Hi Adam, A great book for beginners and long-time collectors as well is Tosogu Classroom. Eventually this will be 5 large volumes (2 are currently available) of articles by Mr. Fukushi that appeared in the Japanese edition of Token Bijutsu over many years, translated to English by Markus Sesko. Collectively they will present today's understanding of the art and history of sword mounts, and they are very inexpensive (especially if you're a member of JSS/US or NBTHK). Tsuba Kanshoki, the 1975 edition with English, is well worth the price of admission: hundreds of photos and text that will help you understand the different traditions and schools. Mr. Sasano's 2 books in English are good for iron sukashi tsuba. The Art Appreciation of Japanese Sword Fittings, again by Fukushi and if you can find a copy, explains the context (folklore) behind design. The 10 auction catalogs by Robert Haynes do a much better job of explanation than the usual auction house catalogs. And there are many other fine books on the subject. If you click on Fittings Books under Book Categories on my website, you can see most of what's available. Cheers, Grey

Hi Paul, We need a close up picture of the white material. Grey

There well may be a character hidden under the piece of wood but it is very unlikely that it will tell us anything valuable. At best it will be the name of the man who made the handle core and could be something much less intetresting than that. Don't remove the piece of wood if damage will occur. Grey

Hi Charlie, No one will be able to tell you value accurately without seeing the sword in hand. That said, best guess given the condition (not the greatest), is somewhere between $600 and $1,200. That's just a guess; I could be way off. Resist all urges to fix/repair/improve the sword. Anything you try is likely to cause damage and lower value. Restoration needs to be left to properly trained craftsmen. Grey

Hi John, I have this one: https://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/swords/s125-mumei-tachi-tokubetsu-hozon-tegai-kanekiyo with Tokubetsu Hozon paper to Tegai Kanekiyo. 68 Cm. and in your price range. Grey

Hizen Kuni Ju Kanemoto Saku. Grey

Hello Sarah/Eve, Excuse me if you already know proper care and handling; not all small museums with Nihonto in their collections do (sometimes with unfortunate results). Here is a link to a site with instructions (scroll down to Sword Care and Cleaning). https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/ Grey

Hi Jason, I'd be very surprised if Aoi Art (Mr. Tsuruta) would knowingly sell a sword with a fake paper; I think you can safely assume that the paper is legit. You may disagree with the attribution on the paper but that's a different story. Grey

Hi Jason, Unless you're talking about a Tokubetsu Juyo paper (or maybe but not likely a Juyo paper), you'll get no where with this. So many Hozon and Tokubetsu Hozon papers have been issued, the NBTHK can't possibly keep track of details on every one. As long as the picture of the nakago (oshigata of nakago on older papers) matches your sword's nakago and you have no specific reason to doubt the paper's authenticity, all is well and you have no cause for concern. Grey

Thomas, Your text is written in invisible ink. Grey

Whether or not the cosmoline stains the blade, it sure does foul the inside of a saya, and that can never be cleaned. Grey

Hi Jason, Here is a link to care and handling: https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/ Scroll down and click on Sword Care and Cleaning. Do not try to fix anything on the sword. Restoration should be left to properly trained pros and well meaning amateurs often do serious damage. Grey

Hi Charles, Of course every good or better Nihonto is unique and there are no absolutes so, in theory, this is what I think you can do with $10K. That should buy a quite good quality katana or tanto with Tokubetsu Hozon paper, signed and made by a well respected, near important, smith and mounted in shirasaya and/or nice but not great koshirae. A wakizashi of the same level would be maybe 1 or 2 K less expensive. This is meant to give a rough idea. As you are a relative beginner make sure you get good advise and deal with someone you can trust. Ask lots of questions (feel free to drive your seller nuts) and have fun. Grey

The 2nd book is Jidai Mitokoro Shu by Ikeda. Grey