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Thank you everyone for your help identifying the sword. Thanks Grey and Chris for the tips about restoration... I think I would like to have it polished if it's not bad for the blade. Any recommendations of a trustworthy person who could do it? I'm planning to go for a couple of years to Japan... Thanks again for your expert advice. Patrick PS: Any interest in having a look at the pics of the Indian sword I'm trying to identify...Or you guys are only interested in Nihonto?

Thank you very much to all for the quick translation of the Mei... Special thanks to Mr. Morita for editing the picture with the translation. Please excuse my ignorance, all this doesn't mean much to me. I've been trying to google things, but I can't find "fujiwara tsunatoshi", I don't know his relevance as a sword smith, the period itself, how good is rating 40...? Also Mr. Morita, I'm confused (probably because of my lack of knowledge), because you mentioned that "He is Kato Chounsai Tsunatoshi"? Is he the same person as "fujiwara Tsunatoshi"? In Spain we have a saying that goes something like this: "is like feeding Caviar to the Pigs!" I feel a little like that, not knowing anything about what I have in my hands... For all of you guys it must be even more frustrating! It would be great, if any of you could take the time to explain me a little about the value of the sword, how and where I could have restored, etc... Or please send me in the right direction to do my own research. I would also love to find some information about the owner Shidara Kingoro, any ideas where? (not much on the web). I'm so happy!!! Thank you all very much for your help! I'm sure that all of you must share my excitement... Rest assured that even if I'm such an ignorant, I do appreciate this find... this is one of the best things that has happen in my life... I've always dream of owning a true Nihonto (if it is. :? ...) And to find one like this is wonderful. Patrick Jacques, I can't post right now the pics of the entire Nakago, I'll do it tomorrow... Sorry.

Well, I managed! No problem Although I´m surprised as it´s signed in both sides, Tachi-Mei and the Mei of a Katana....??? I´m so excited... I can´t believe it. I hope somebody can tell me something about it... If pics are not clear, please tell me and I´ll get some more Patrick

I forgot to ask: Is it common to find swords where the Tsuba has been removed? I've always wondered why it was missing. Any advice of how or where I could have it replaced...? Patrick

Sorry for the delay guys... I haven't been trying to remove it for 2 days now... I've just been too busy to have the peace of mind and time to do this. I know it's intriguing to find out if it's signed, but I've been years waiting to do it, and I don't want to do it in a rush... Lot's of work for me this week! I really appreciate all your tips, I'm sure I'll manage. I thought to include the mention of a High Shinogi in case it's relevant. I'll post the pics soon... please give me a couple of days. Patrick

Hey I've got the measurements with the help of the link: IHORI-MUNE NAGASA: 68cm - 26,7inch (Kissaki: 4,2cm - 1.65inch) SORI: 3,5cm - 1.38inch MI-HABA: Yokote 2,5cm - 0.98inch Machi 3,3cm - 1.3inch KASANE: Yokote 0,6cm - 0.24inch Machi 0,8cm - 0.31inch SHINOGI-JI width: Yokote 0,8cm - 0.31inch Machi 1,2cm - 0.47inch (I think is a SHINOGI-TAKA) A couple of questions: As you can see in pic 3 the MEKUGI is already missing... But I can't see through the MEKUGI-ANA, is that normal? Or do you think that the Tsuka has been jammed and is not sitting in the proper position? And do you think I can use one of this oil-based sprays to give some lubrication for the removal of the Tsuka or can it damage something? Thanks again, Patrick

Thanks so much for all the info! Somehow I always feared that it would be a fake... And I was expecting comments in that direction... So all your positive comments made very happy! For me it would be a dream to own a true sword! Unfortunately, I don't know much about how my grandfather got hold of the sword. I only know that it came together with an Asian antique lot he bought in his youth... (I also have another sword of that lot, that I believe to be Indian and I'm trying to identify). My mother gave them to me when he passed away, and she said the Tachi was an "arabian" sword... Not so much like a "katana" to me, I tuck it away, until I came to know of Tachis... I also don't know how the tsuba went missing KM, thanks for your info, I'm happy to hear that the broken tip is not a big deal... Pic 3 is just like that, a close up... sorry for the confusion. And thanks a lot Grey for the link... I need to do some preparation before I give it a try... I'm a true ignorant of this world, I don't want to damage it... Specially when you guys think that it might be a real one... It comes to my mind now, how sometimes, as a kid I took it to the forest, and play Samurai cutting twigs... Hopefully I didn't do already some irreversible damage! Thank you also Lee and Keith for all the technical information... Very interesting. I'll post the measurements ASAP Wow...Amazing! Ok I'll summon some courage, some tools and some info, and I'll send you the pics of the nakago soon. I really appreciate it guys, this could be a dream come true for me. Patrick

Thanks John for the tips... I'll give it a try, and let you guys know if I find something underneath... Wow it's so exciting! Only to think that it could be real...... Thanks again for your help, Patrick

Thanks so much John, it does look real like that isn't it? I know that the only way to know for sure is by checking the inscription in the nakago... But the truth is that I've never dared to remove the tsuka... It looks fragile and even though I think the Peg is removed, I'm scared to damage it... This is why for 10 years I've been just wondering what if...? I would like to bring it to a specialist, but as I said I don't know any in Spain (I've checked antique shops who knew nothing of Japanese swords)... But I wanted to hear some opinions of you guys in the forum, before I go on spending money. Do you think I can just pull from the tsuka full on...? Thanks Patrick

Hello to All, I inherited a sword from my grandfather, it looks like a Tachi (with Naito family crests) and I've been years in vain trying to find out if it's real... I know that this can only be determined by a specialist, but living in Spain, I don't know anyone who can help me. I would love any comments you might have on it... Or any advise about where to go next to find out for sure if it's a true antique or not. Thanks to all in advance, Patrick

Thank you very much... I don't have pictures right now.... I'll do them and post them. Thanks for the help Patrick

Hello all, I'm new to this board, although I've been interested for nihon-to for a long time. I got from my grandfather a Japanese sword. I've check the internet a lot and I believe that it could be an old tachi. With my little knowledge, it looks like it could be a true sword. Unfortunately I don't dare to open it to check the tang so I have no way to know for sure. The point is: Anybody knows a place in SPAIN where I could bring it for an ID? I thank you in advance for any help. It's my dream to find out about this sword, and for years my search has been fruitless. Patrick