FletchSan

Hi All, I have two wakizashi that I believe are nagamaki-naoshi. The blades themselves are out of polish and not much to see at the moment so I thought I'd focus on the fittings which seem high quality. I do not know much about koshirae - so keen to hear thoughts on whether all fittings are authentic and go together and what period they may be from? cheers, Ben

It is a little clearer in person - but yes probably too far gone. I thought the top character (I think there is faint mei above it) could be fune - from osafune... I'm probably seeing things

Slightly better pics of the hamon after another clean.

I thought I'd give the wakizashi another clean as per your advice Stephen and to my surprise noticed a faint mei on the nakago! I've posted a picture on the translation forum though very very hard to make out. I did give it a light wipe with oil to see if I could make out any more detail. cheers, Ben

Hi All, I was cleaning my latest wakizashi today which I assumed was mumei and to my surprise noticed a mei on the nagako that is very small and obscured by rust. I tried my best to get photos of it - though as you can see very difficult. I think the first characters are probably Osa-fune - though haven't gotten much further. Please let me know if you recognise any of the Kanji. Big ask I know. cheers, Ben

Another note for new players (aka me) - if you have two packages that arrive at the same time but each under $1000 customs will bundle them as a single consignment and tax you on the total.

I gave it a clean with uchiko - not sure I'll get it any better though will see if I can get a window opened up. It didn't fare well through customs and it was opened and "inspected". The tsuka was falling apart, saya badly cracked and fuchi was missing

Hi, Received the second sword which is actually a wakizashi not a katana (54cm nagasa). Not quite what I was expecting but the hamon has potential. It is out of polish and a bit rusty and the kissaki isnt in great shape. Not sure about the nakago either. Looks like one of the mekugi-ana was filled with copper? The menuki look pretty good to me - are they authentic or repros? cheers, Ben

I wish they'd make their mind up...! May 24, 2016 , 3:09 pm Held in Customs MELBOURNE EMS, AUSTRALIA Your item is being held in Customs at 3:09 pm on May 24, 2016 in MELBOURNE EMS, AUSTRALIA. May 24, 2016 , 5:08 am Customs Clearance AUSTRALIA May 23, 2016 , 11:50 am Held in Customs MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA May 23, 2016 , 10:29 am Processed Through Facility AUSTRALIA May 23, 2016 , 9:24 am Departed Melbourne, AUSTRALIA May 23, 2016 , 1:49 am Customs Clearance AUSTRALIA

Thanks All - many have that highly polished brass look which does look impressive though I will leave it alone. cheers, Ben

Hi All, What is the norm for collectors when it comes to military sword fittings, especially Kyu Gunto. Do collectors tend to restore and clean fittings or keep them as is? I have seen many that almost look new and have all of the patina and tarnish removed through cleaning / polishing and I'm tempted to do the same for mine though not sure if I should just leave them alone. cheers, Ben

Thanks Jean & Grant. I'll give the Tsuba and Menuki a clean when I receive the sword and will create a new thread for that sword. Any tips on cleaning - is soapy water with a gentle scrub with a toothbrush okay or should I avoid getting them wet at all and clean with a dry brush? Ben

Thanks Jean - I'm sure most collectors go through the "treasure hunter" phase that soon wears off then they focus on only papered polished blades to enjoy I'm sure if I sold all of my cheap out of polish swords I could buy one decent sword. We do have some responsibility to keep the togishi's self-employed though! Do you think the menuki are reproduction? Here is a closer up image of the one on the other side. Also is the Tsuba authentic or cast? thanks, Ben

Tried my best to capture some hamon by playing with the levels & scanner. I think this may be the hamon underneath the rust..

Now I'm starting to think it is a gunto given the thickness of the blade, lack of any visible hamon and yokote. I've gone over the nakago in detail and cannot see any sign of an arsenal stamp though.. and strange someone would put authentic Koshirae on a gunto blade. I should really stay clear of rusty bargain katanas but I can't help myself and have another similar one on its way. Hopefully I didn't end up with two rusty guntos ! I'll post pictures of the second rusty katana when I receive it - though attached is a preview.. I'll let you the outcome of my togishi visit on Saturday though I have a feeling it wont be good.

I had to google that one Raymond! It has the same sharpness all the way to the habaki. cheers, Ben

Hmm that's two for gunto which worries me. I'm hoping its just the condition of the blade that gives it that appearance. I guess I'll know for sure on Saturday, I would expect the mekugi-ana would be drilled on a gunto - though this one looks punched? Also I may have caught the hamon.. or my eyes are playing tricks on me. Ben

The nakago is 20.2cm and kasane is 0.8cm. cheers, Ben

Let me help you - I'm sure this is right ... cough

Thanks Stephen. I'm seeing Andrew Ickeringill on Saturday, hopefully he'll agree to a window. Is putting oil on the nakago okay? Here is a closer view of the possible mei - are they remnants of lacquer or silver do you think? Ben

It could be later - maybe shinshinto in a koto style? The reason I thought koto was purely based on the sugata which seems to be more Koto than Shinto. Comparing it with the popular "changes in the shape of the Japanese sword" illustration - it matches most closely with late kamakura. Ben

Hi Chris, A gunto? really? I dont see it and I have a few gunto. I think that mark you see is just a bit of rust and the blade is lifeless due to rust and possibly a bad attempt at cleaning it some time ago. Here's a closer view of that "arsenal mark" and a side view of the nakago which shows some yasurime.

A few scans which show the overall rusty condition and chips as well as a clearer image of the nakago and inscription. Also interested in thoughts on the Tsuba and whether it is original? cheers, Ben

Thanks Jean - yes nakago ! I made the correction The same looks like rayskin to me similar to a black lacquered Kai Gunto same I guess. It is not metal. Any ideas what mon it is? I couldn't find it when I searched through family mon - a few similar, but not the same. I am very fortunate to live 30 minutes from a Japanese trained togishi - just need to find a sword decent enough to polish!

Hi All, This is the Katana which finally arrived today and mentioned in my ww2 wakizashi post. It is in pretty original condition and fairly rusty and as such pretty hard to see hamon or any activity. I am taking it to a togishi on Saturday to see if a window could be opened up and would like your opinions on whether it could be a koto sword as it has a decent curve and also thoughts on the Koshirae which appear to be original to the sword with family mon fittings. The habaki and seppa are covered in gold foil. Everything fits very tightly together and I had a hard time getting the Tsuka and Habaki off the sword. There is also what appears to be a silver inscription on the nakago which is faded and no longer legible. I cannot see any significant flaws other than two small chips on the edge. Nagasa: 66.4cm Sori: 2.2cm thanks, Ben