Jean

Looks like Bowie shaped...

Ready to bet there is one

Not satsuma age unless reshaped and saiha. There is a complete boshi with a kaeri.

Yes, he is Brian, I have added his name for signature

Agreed with Ray, hamon on both sides

Nakago files marks (yasurime) are never parallel to the edge and back of the blade. Very crude kanji, I fear the worst.... Edit to say: RUN AWAY FROM IT !!!!

Makes me think of a Satsuma aged kikuchi yari.

John, You are wrong on several levels, not talking about papers. 99% (because I don't want to say 100%) of dealers were at the beginning collectors and it is by the way of collecting that they have become dealers, Darcy is not an exception I am sure. Most of this collectors if not all have become dealers to improve their collections before doing it as a living. A lot of dealers have collections you cannot even imagine. I know a Japanese dealer who has for sale lots of sword Juyo or Tokubetsu Juyo. But if you are introduced to him he will show you for study a part of his collection. Who can say he has been able to study in a row 12 koBizen swords, half of them signed, 12 ichimonji swords, 7 of them signed (and not by the character "ichi"), 12 swords Juyo and higher (ko Hoki, Miike, Awataguchi, Bizen Nagamitsu...). Concerning origin of blades, I am very cautious as I have seen quite a lot of blades coming from Daimyo collections even with Hon'ami papers having had their attribution overturned by shinsa. I have been a few times in Japan, visit quite a lot of dealers and attend 3 DTI. I have never seen one of these dealers selling a blade with green paper. The only one doing it (I am aware of) is Tsuruta san but he adds his guarantee of passing Shinsa. I have discussed this matter with people living in Japan and the general consensus was that no blades were "soldable" at the right price in Japan without a valid kanteisho and preferably a NBTHK one. I won't say I find it strange that a Japanese dealer sells a saijo smith blade without a valid kanteisho (easy for him to get as it is his daily job) but I hope you have a guarantee of shinsa.

I have seen along the years several Rai Kunizane for sale, nne Juyo. One of my friend has one. Not very much impressed. There are a lot of level differencies in the TH kanteisho. Rai is embedded in late Kamakura. There is a great drop of value when coming into Nambokucho. Remember the first two (at most the third) generations concentrate the characteristics of a given school after ...

http://www.nihonto.ca/osafune-kagemitsu/index.html

Absolutelly right, Henry, I know. But big and small are not as explicit as long and short, I have always had problem in English with the difference between big and small and short and long, It is clearer (for me) to state long and short even if it is not the translation when I am talking of length.

And above all keep a track record on prices and do what you have just done, ask help from Board members.

Patrice, Daisho means long and and short and not katana and wakizashi, you won't get any information on wakizashi vs katana tsuba size. Everything is possible in a daisho, two katana size swords, two wakizashi size swords, a katana and a wakizashi.

Even in French

I did not even check, photos being upside down. Thanks Lloyd. Without any kanteisho, it is considered as gimei so overpriced unless someone wants to take the risk, but there is a big ware.... so once again overpriced

NBTHK opinion prevails as in shinsa team you have four or five of the greatest Nihonto Japanese experts having the largest available Japanese swordsmiths data base in the world

Not one of the noted Oei Bizen smiths, chujo saku smith, overpriced.

Yes, fantastic event and wait for Guido singing karaoke... I must absolutelly post that video of Guido singing ....but I have received anonymous death threats, signed G.

From pictures, does not look like konuka hada. BtW, John did not pay his sword dirty cheap...

Some cyanoacrylate and it will run the mill

I fully agreed with Brian

Thanks Frank It is interesting to try to retrace the story... it is quite clear now

Just a last thought Frank. Do you think Bob Benson who has handled or polish hundreds of swords and see a score of Norishige would sell you a Tanto which could be a Norishige for a few k$ ? When did the submitting occured? Before or after the nakago was repatinated and filed? I told you in my post before that it was a bad idea to have this implemented because it could give false indication of its age. BTW, http://www.nihonto.ca/saeki-norishige/index.html

40 years ago as I was very enthusiastic with Nihonto and had been suckered by a dealer in buying a gimei, suriage wakizashi and wanted to have it restored, an older collector told me: "Forget it and don't mistake Nihonto Collecting for Salvation Army. Keep your money for a good sword". Lesson learned.

John, You are going to pay let say 800/1000£ for a polishing to remove a ware on a,mumei wakizashi without any guarantee. Two days ago there was in NMB sale section a signed Hizen wakizashi by good smiths (dai saku mei) for 1350$ or so... If money is not a problem for you, have your fun, but this is not the right path to study. Collecting and learning can be fun but only by studying good blades, if you are interested by Nihonto, go to Token meetings, become a Token member, and attend as many shows/fairs where you can see and study good blades in polish.