Gordon Sanders

Are you sure this isn't a cast reproduction?

The Nanako is lacking in detail that you would expect.

It doesn't seem to be worn by age.

I might be off my rocker though, as I am a noooooob.

from my perspective and limited experience, the blackening seems forced, and almost like spraypaint.  is this normal?

Jean

From http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/18602-nihonto-restauration-projecthelp-getting-rid-of-rust/?hl=dominnimod&do=findComment&comment=191653

His first name is Josh

At the bottom :-) :

F. Salvemini, F. Grazzi, S. Peetermans, F. Civita, R. Franci, S. Hartmann, E. Lehmann, M. Zoppi, Quantitative characterization of Japanese ancient swords through Energy-Resolved Neutron Imaging, Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry 27, 2012, 1347-1354

Your pic skills are getting better. Try taking pics of the tsuba again with it elevated above the carpet. It seems your camera was focusing on carpet instead of tsuba

Jason... let me get this straight:

You bought the sword with the belief that it was a fake (repro)

You cut paper with it and then believed it might be genuine

You took pics and received opinions

Now you are insulting those that support your ORIGINAL ASSUMPTION

all of the opinions you have received say more or less "Your mileage may vary"

All of the opinions say.., take it to someone that knows, that can hold it in his hands

As Nike says. "Just do it!"

Steve... from the initial pics, it seems the entire sword has a worn, uniform cast to it.

Maybe it is as was said... it was rode hard and put away wet

I think we all are of the same opinion.... we don't know and can only guess based on the information that you have provided

Hi Juha. Notice that it doesn't take much. Just a bit more effort on your part

Look at the following thread and see how answers are changing once the OP submitted better pics!!

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/20873-help-identifying-what-it-is-i-have-here/

No comments?

You might get a better response if you submit better pics/  take a look at darcy's pics, or ray's .... and try to follow their format.  It is difficult for a conversation to start with limited knowledge. FWIW

I have found reference to this regarding the content of blades but not mei per se 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/50377688_Ancient_and_historic_steel_in_Japan_India_and_Europe_a_non-invasive_comparative_study_using_thermal_neutron_diffraction

Surely if they can read the dials of a 2000 year old "clock" Antikythera mechanism;

 they can read a signature

He responded just above about 6 replies earlier.

Kurt is in Fort Worth :-)

The catalog arrived in the mail today.  Absolutely beautiful!.  I can only imagine how they looked in person.  I wish there were more pics of the koshirae of the swords though

Nick... this is very beautiful.  I like it!!

Here is a full length photo I took the other day.  

hi Jason, Please post without the Habaki, and the FULL length of the blade.  You might need to stand on a chair to get high enough depending on your camera

Nice find.  Be sure to sign your posts.  or add it into your profile signature.   Looking forward to seeing the comments from the smart people in the room!!

And be sure and post measurements.  Length of the cutting edge, length of the nakago (tang) and amount of curve in the blade

On FB in Nihonto Oz

https://www.facebook.com/groups/104053572984575/permalink/1191056040950984/

If the mei shown would indicate Japanese origin it would be a lesson in "How to kill the Soul of the Samurai"

FYI... i bought both my swords from pablo at UniqueJapan and he is a great guy to deal with

you are all welcome.  After seeing how well the cast Dragon Daisho Tsuba (s) were made on the other thread, I thought that this was very relevent.  

Luckily to produce a nihonto is well out of the skill range of 99.99 percent.

However at the other end of the spectrum is this....

how about this  Click on the "watch on Vimeo" link

odd.. yes it is on the aljazerra channel, but 100% safe material.  i am in HK and zero probs.  let me ponder on how to solve this.  it is a very good watch

I am looking forward to putting names with faces!!

Here is a great piece on fakes in China... that can even stump the experts

Thanks, Guys... I enjoy finding interesting items on the webz.  Honestly, though, these joining concepts, are the wooden version of origami!!!

I have a book on Japanese joinery that I would love to take out some day and get some saws and wood together just for some relaxing fun. 

I hope you have some very very sharp chisels too!!  These seem that they need to be carved by a razor blade's precision

Wow. Just wow

http://www.archdaily.com/796918/these-mesmerizing-gifs-illustrate-the-art-of-traditional-Japanese-wood-joinery