AshenShugar

I really appreciate all of the input. It's looking like this project is going to have to wait until I'm not a poor college student.

Hoanh, Does that include the cost of shirasaya and habaki?

Any idea what his usual rates are?

Thanks, that's a huge help. The sword was actually a gift, so I might go ahead and send it to a polisher and see if he thinks it's worth restoring. Any recommendations for a polisher that would do the blade justice?

A closeup is provided here, as is a likely translation, as well as a reference to Hawley's book, which I don't have, so any information found there would also be welcome.

Thanks for the reply! That link has a ton of useful info. Josh

I am considering having the sword I asked for information on in this topic polished. I don't know whether it would be worth the cost or even if it would benefit the blade. If so, could I wait to do so? Or would that allow the blade to deteriorate further? The saya is wood and leather only, so there's little danger on that front. Also, any information or even speculation about the sword would be welcome. I know nothing at all outside of the information provided in the link. Both the hada and the hamon are very beautiful, but can only be seen under the right light (the hamon is very faint). There are some nicks in the blade near the habaki and some rusting on and around the kissaki, as well as on other parts of the blade. Some very slight pitting is present. EDIT: I feel that at some point in the past this blade has been the unfortunate recipient of a hack amateur polishing job. Part of the patina on the nakago near the habaki looks chemically cleaned off, and the habaki doesn't really fit too well. The mirror finish of the blade is also making me suspicious.

Thanks so much for your prompt replies, guys. I'll try to post some more photos of the sword and fittings on the general discussion and see if I can't get some more info on the sword. ~Josh

I recently acquired a short blade in what appears to be some sort of military mount. The rust on the Nakago is extremely dark and the habaki seems very intricate. The tsuba is a single piece of undecorated iron, and the metal fittings on the handle (sorry, I don't know the terminology) seem much, much older than the handle itself. There are mei on the ura and omote sides of the nakago, slightly interrupted by a second mekugi-ana that seems to be from a re-mounting. The hamon can't be seen in the photos, but in the right light, is very intricate, with unattached inclusions which don't connect to the rest of the hamon. The saya is plain wood with a leather sheath. Any help with identifying the smith, date, or even the style of the sword would be a huge help. If the mei isn't legible just tell me and I'll try to find some tissue paper for a tracing.