PNSSHOGUN

It was reference to myself, it's 100% Tenshozan.

Oh dear, I should look at the pictures before posting, wrong Mei for Tenshozan indeed!

Wrong Mei for Tenshozan I think and also lacks the proper stamp. Having the Tsuka rewrapped by a professional service like Fred Lohmann will make it more desirable.

Momoyama era Takada Muneyuki here: https://www.nihonto.com/2-10-18/ Bungo Takada blades were supposedly liked by Samurai for the no nonsense forging and good cutting ability, I've seen quite a few in Shin Gunto mounts (not as nice as Fred's though, almost bought it myself).

There's truth somewhere in the middle with this, but further away from the sales pitch. Yes, these blades will get harder to find because Shin Gunto are very popular right now, and these two smiths are quite famous and desired, however there are regularly 2-3 of these smiths swords on ebay for quite affordable prices. The quantity of swords these fellows made must be far higher than Yasukuni-To. Perhaps Emura & Nagamitsu are better combat blades, Yasukuni-To are still a high water mark of all WWII Gendaito for so many and that won't change anytime soon.

My best guess is a civilian, court or territorial variation.

I do not believe this is an authentic Koa Isshin Mantetsu.

Chinese fake.

You need to upload then add to post for each photo in the more reply options.

I was not sure of the smith either but liked the sword anyway, got lucky if it's authentic, very nice Kai Gunto if it isn't: win/win for me. When it arrives I will inspect it closer and see if the signature matches Oshigata.

As long as your local climate isn't particularly extreme and you keep it out of direct sunlight it will be ok to display safely.

Nice Type 3 Koshirae with "high quality" tsunagi

That is a real shame, I got a nicer one for $1500 the other day:

I think the handle and other fittings are certainly authentic, the rest doesn't look right.

Certainly an old Tachi, could be good if you want to have a window opened.

Looks like the "authentication" sheet many Chinese sellers print with the sword, it is only what the sword is made of and other specs. Worth less than toilet paper.

Some early Kyu Gunto mounts are gaining papers from NTHK, attitudes change as time goes by and examples become few and far between.

Definitely water quenched, there is a bright glow to the Hamon.

A groundbreaking revelation up there with Ketchup & Catsup being discovered to be one and the same.

There's a fine example with Type 94 mounts on Bill Rannows site: http://www.artswords.com/a_signed_koto_katana_in_minty_gunto_mounts_101818.htm

The overwhelming majority will be homogeneous steel that is shaped or forged out to a sword form and then quenched.

Textbook oil quenched hamon, Didier A real Hamon will be bright and glow in the right light, Hamish has given a very good example of what oil quenched Hamons look like. Oil quenching was used for a few reasons (all of which are still relevant and used today), chiefly oil quenching is not as stressful on the steel compared to water and results in less chance of cracks & other faults in a blade. Functionally as weapons they are perfectly good, if not stronger overall, compared to traditionally made swords.

http://www.thomasdelmar.com/Catalogues/as051218/lot0003.html Probably the only thing of real interest.

If there aren't any better examples by that smith or school for the submission (assuming the blade is actually Juyo quality) then you would have a higher chance of it passing at that point than other submissions, theoretically.

It's more common to see the Field Grade red & brown tassels with the deluxe overlapping edges.