PNSSHOGUN

Polish has been done with sandpaper & acid. Avoid.

Max, there is a proper Togishi in Melbourne: https://touken-togishi.com/restoration-services/

The want the sellers shirt off their back these days!

I think there is a chapter in Jim Dawsons book early on that mentions these contract swords.

The value simply changes from Nihonto to historical relic.

Please provide a more thorough and comprehensive body of work in this matter that has had over 200 years of testing, that has been widely accepted and been backed up by numerous high ranking papers and expert opinions over the decades. Until then the Wazamono index is the accepted body of work in judging a Japanese blades cutting prowess on human bodies.

Great to hear Markus, will be donating soon.

Yes Jason, it's not like there was any practical reason these tests were done in an age where swords were still used to kill people. As for not scientific I would have to disagree, at the time it was quite a scientific matter, performing a large volume of tests, collating the results and drawing conclusions from these results. Is that not science? "Science: the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment."

Some absolutely corking examples here, thank you all for sharing these. I would also like for Bob to clarify what spirits are attached to the sword!

I wouldn't be too pedantic about a little extra force here or there, the blade is already in rough condition. I would also suggest the traditional method of holding the handle firm in the right hand and hitting the base of your right hand with your left until you feel some movement. If that doesn't do it a thick towel around the tsuba and some gentle but firm tapping with a wooden or rubber mallet isn't likely to cause any significant damage.

It's a real Type 98 Shin Gunto, the blade looks traditionally made but I'll let someone else translate the Mei for you.

My guess is early vs full production variants. Often quality starts higher (checkered release) and is reduced for full production.

Having a look on past sales is a good way to quickly accustom yourself with what real Shin Gunto look like: http://www.guntoartswords.com/sold.html

Poor fake. Spend some time doing research and you'll see these things coming from a mile away.

Sensational examples, thank you for sharing. Were the large pierced Tsuba unique to the Type 94?

Commissioning swords would be more popular among Japanese rather than Westerners as it is often custom to have a sword made for a lucky or auspicious occasion.

That's a nice package IMO, at 1800usd with papers you aren't doing too bad. I would suspect that it is a Shinto Kanetsune rather than a Koto smith.

Could we possibly see the mounts and Sugata of the sword? Very nice piece by the way, with excellent provenance.

Appears to have been in Tachi koshirae at some point, whether that was the very average late Edo/Meiji tourist grade or something better is a gamble.

The imprint of the face is very macabre.

Better off getting a separate Gunto Koshirae with Tsunagi & having a Shirasaya made for the sword itself. You will get the same effect with display without the real headache that is trying to get a random Gunto Koshirae to fit your blade.

Yes, Grant is right, Bugei sword. They were one of the better quality martial arts swords available for a long time. I hope you didn't pay too much, but regardless it is a fine sword for display or use.

To me it looks more like marks from someone sanding it down, hada is usually random and wavy as opposed to straight lines. Having a look at the the nakago you posted, it is very nicely cut with well engraved mei. I can't see any arsenal stamps either so there is a chance of it being traditionally made.

It's in Marks book.....somewhere. I tried to find it again but without an index as such it is very hard. It's worth another read anyway.