Alex A

Hello John, pm me and i will give you the name of two polishers in the UK that can polish it properly, if interested that is. As Brian said, tanto, so a lot cheaper.

If bidding on this blade, id have been wondering if has already been to NBTHK shinsa

The late Enomoto Sadayoshi. I was never one for collecting modern swords, always had to be Edo or earlier. Watching modern smiths like Sadatoshi online and looking at their work and seeing items in the for sale department mainly from Joe inspired some interest. I stumbled across a tanto for sale by Enomoto Sadayoshi and looked into his work and extremely long career. He worked in different styles from Soshu to Gassan. A good amount of information available, online and in books, he was rated Mukansa and worked well into old age. Anyways, I bought the tanto, which is an honour to own, I love its elegance, perfect hada and rich nie. What makes it even more special is that his son Enomoto Sadahito wrote Sayagaki for the tanto. As someone that has never had a sword commissioned, this was the next best thing, and I was very grateful. By the way, he also made a small letter opener fully signed There is never any connection to earlier smiths, but this purchase was special, thanks to Chris Bowen..

Yeh, sometimes forget Brian.

Its possible the tsuba may have been swapped recently, its also possible it was all cobbled together many years ago. Bad fitting seppa are a bit of a sore point for me, but you see them often, even on koshirae in the Tokyo museum. Perhaps the Samurai of old were not so pedantic. Basic replacement seppa are cheap, maybe a different tsuba, up to the new owner to decide if a re-cobble is in order.

Aye, would expect better fitting seppa for a start.

Sometimes think to myself "how much do I need to know"?, the conclusion I have come to when buying, know enough to know when someone is trying to pull the wool over your eyes.

All this makes me so glad I am but an humble bottom feeder

Hello ? Before you go, have a read up, plenty of info for first time buyers on this site, buy a few books. For the money, i think the swords are quite decent.. Perhaps try here too https://www.toukenkomachi.com/index_en_tokuteisyoutorihiki.html

Been having a browse, 1 to 7 previous smiths in the school, starting with Musahi Daijo Fujiwara Korekazu A sword by Korekazu, https://www.aoijapan.net/katana-korekazu-musashi-daijo/ Not seen very Many Teruhide, but what I have seen seems subtle compared to earlier work of the school Some interesting points in the smiths index, think the first mention of Muji was 7. The Kao, im assuming a trademark of the business as no other mention of earlier smiths using a kao (might be wrong, learning curve) http://thejapanblade.com/ishido_line.htm https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=46IYtI0nkiEC&pg=PA242&lpg=PA242&dq=Musashi+Daijo+Fujiwara+Korekazu.&source=bl&ots=BRIi1bWXQs&sig=ACfU3U3_RRarQt5DnWUWYUMuHV_ICPR6Vg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjx57HI5ZnnAhUhpHEKHZmGBCAQ6AEwA3oECAYQAQ#v=onepage&q=Musashi%20Daijo%20Fujiwara%20Korekazu.&f=false

This was from the other thread Bruce On some of his swords, Teruhide used a kao (carved personal seal) in addition to his signature (mei). Ishido Teruhide also signed as Ishido Mitsunobu also using the same kao as with his Teruhide mei. It is possible that the Mitsunobu signature is a dai mei signature (a signature where one smith signs for another). It could also be the case that both swordsmiths employed the same professional mei carver and that these signatures are examples of nakirishi mei. While these are possibilities, I think it is unlikely and that Teruhide and Mitsunobu are most probably the same smith. I doubt that a swordsmith would carve his personal seal (kao) if signing for another smith. It has been suggested that he signed Teruhide when making blades by the traditional method but signed Mitsunobu on non-traditionally made (sunobe) blades. His signature (mei) is sometimes translated as Sekido Teruhide and Sekido Mitsunobu, although Ishido is the preferred reading. http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/teruhide.htm Briefly looked into whether his Kao was linked to the ishido lineage and could not find much, hoping someone else can assist

The relatively long Kaeri is a decent clue Chris.

I find Aoi to good to deal with, a lot more honest than other dealers that I wont mention. As said many times, its up to the buyer to thoroughly research every sword etc they buy, and Aoi puts swords on hold to allow you to do this. Ive only had one issue, a bit of rust in the bo-hi and they took it back with no hassles, even though it was consignment. Now I notice they are more clear about issues, they don't want the hassle of swords being returned. The one thing ive learned about swords is that they are not always straight forward and comply with what is written, as there are always exceptions and issues to look into. should the info be available which is not always the case.

Well spotted Chris. If your patient and keep an eye on the many various sites, something will come along and you will appreciate it a lot more with a bit of knowledge. Being reminded of what its like lately, developed an interest in Napoleonic flintlocks and been eager to buy BUT i remember where this can get you, so bought 2 books instead and eventually learned that what i was going to buy would have led to dissapointment. Always be swords etc to buy, no rush, enjoy the trip.

Hi Chris, don't forget the blade itself and not just the mei, clues there with the hamon and boshi etc. Worth just looking into that to help with date. Had a look at the mei and looking it other examples of Kanemasu, see a lot of variation with the strokes to the right of the bottom horizontal. A number of Kanemasu working around 1600, maybe a way to differentiate between smiths, but just speculating. Let us know if you find anything else out, cheers.

Read a few places where it mentions them as gifts, heres a page Kirk added to his sales page.

What Ken Said. Also, judging by the hamachi it has seen quite a bit of life.. Difficult to be exact, could be either side of 1600, maybe searching for a similar mei might throw a little light on it. The good thing about a blade like this for me, don't really require the expense of Shinsa.

Hi Christian, it was the image with the red line that made me think it may be tobiyaki, the way it followed the hamon, reminded me a bit of some hizen blades, Do a search of Tadayoshi, Tadakuni and tobiyaki, you should find some. http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/hamonpatterns.html

Hello, plenty of info available on Kanemasu tanto, one sold recently and is in the "sold" thread, they were sometimes given as gifts. Many Kanemasu smiths, don't remember reading much about late Edo Kanemasu, why do you think its late Edo?

If you look through a magnifying glass you should be able to tell if it is Tobiyaki

Hi Wah, ive had two of these in the last year, never had one before that. As you mention, honesty is the best policy. Just fill in the form and add the all the relevant info they require. Print out proof of payment, via paypal or whatever. Add a printout of the sales page with details of the item and seller. On a separate piece of paper describe exactly what it is, with some evidence, the correct customs tariff no (antique/collectable and RELIEF REQUESTED). Print some details off about the smith and add any info regarding when he worked etc Explanation of Hozen etc, should there be any. Also, with all the panic about knives etc in the UK, maybe add a few personal details, passport printout with age and member of sword society's etc, might help, might not Cant think of anything else at this hour. Bit of a an hassle but not too bad once you have done one or two, something to get used to I suppose.

Just tell him they dont polish them sharp as there is no need to and that its a myth that all Samurai swords are sharp, and grow up

just look at swords with differing steel and wear, not bothered about age, just whats appealing. Cool swords in every era

Just Jokin, wish my budget would stretch to a book collection like the ones above, until lottery comes in will have to make do with what I have. Paul, those early NBTHK magazines, silly question maybe but are they in English ?