LGMartialArts

Although San Antonio is about 4-5 hours north of me (yes, I live in the US :D ), I was wondering if there are any nihonto groups similar to the New York Token Kai near S.A. Thanks in advance.

Thanks to all who have posted... like I mentioned earlier though, I'm not buying it. I was just wondering about it's authenticity and approximate value based on the provenance and the buke' koshirae.

thanks for the reply. Now for the big question - what's it's estimated worth with what can be seen around 90% polish (like I said, horrible pics by seller), and buke' koshirae?

Thanks!

Can someone please translate the mei on this katana? The seller claims it's a Showa Era katana signed by Nagamitsu - selling price is $3,300 - not that I'm getting it, just want to see if you all agree with the provenance. I would add the other pictures, but the person did a lousy job and you can't make out the hada or any other interesting details on the sword.

Thanks for the help... I've looked around on the internet, and have only seen one other Bushu tsuba with basket weave, and it was on this forum! Anyway, I guess I need to get some books on tsubas and Japanese nihonto.

Thanks! It arrived a couple weeks ago, and have been very impressed with it. The pictures on aoijapan are very accurate.

Yeah, so do I... one of the main reasons I decided to get it. :D

I recently ordered a mumei ajiro tsuba from http://www.aoijapan.com/tsuba-ajiro-pattern. All comments welcome.

Thanks for the response. I think I'll leave it as is... like you/I said, it'll be used for displaying the katana only, not for Iai or anything else, so it doesn't have to be "perfect"

I recetly aquired the tsuka my mumei Shinto katana used to have before I bought it. Long story short, the old tsuka had been sold off separately before I bought the katana, which came with a new(ish) tsuka in its place. Anyway, I've been toying with restoring the newly aquired old tsuka (it has severe cracks) but am wondering if it's "worth it". I was thinking of sending it out and having a new core made and reusing as much of the original koshirae and maybe the old same, but would like your ideas/recommendations. I'm also open NOT to do anything at all to the old tsuka, just leave it alone and mount the katana in it only for display. Below are some pictures of the tsuka. All input welcome.

Thanks for all the suggestions, comments, etc... I know I'm a newbie when it comes to collecting nihonto ,but I also know that I have a connection to this sword, as it's my first true nihonto. That being said, I also know what it isn't. I understand you're trying to help out and prevent a possible "catastrophe" (my words, not yours), but my intentions are purely honorable here. I know this isn't a national treasure, I know it's not the greatest Shinto example in the world, but it is special to me. I am NOT planning a complete, full out restoration project, costing many, many thousands more than the sword is worth, but even if I did go this route, who's to say that that's wrong? Again, thanks for the advice/comments/suggestions. I will take them all into consideration since I have respect for those of you who have countless hours studying/owning/handling nihonto on a regular basis compared to my one and only.

No amateur, I promise... I'm sending it to David Hofhine for an evaluation/final polish only from http://www.swordpolisher.com I'm still saving up $ for it though, since I know it won't be cheap. Like I mentioned in the OP, this sword is staying in my family, no intention of selling it.

no insult taken... that's why I posted the caveat about not having the original koshirae and sending it off to a togishi for a polishing job :D

After doing doing some research while in the process of buying this katana last year, I found that this sword sold for $3,950 back in 2008, with the ShinShinto koshirae, mind you... because of that, I think your valuation is a little on the low side. I suspect it's worth more than the $1,500-2,000 you mentioned, especially now that it has kanteisho papers on the way.