PNSSHOGUN

Have to agree that the blade looks to have some interesting qualities. After examining these closer photos the Horimono is somewhat unfortunate for my eyes at least, but that particular subject of Fudo Myo-o tends to look awkward even when done by known Horimono artists of repute.

Thank you all for you assistance, it's accompanied by a Torokusho for 1953 in I believe Toyama Prefecture so 1951 makes sense.

Any help would be appreciated:

For those who've studied Gassan school smiths and seen their Mei in hand, it's rather apparent how finely the Nakago is signed and finished. Don't think you've missed anything important.

Well I'm not sure if that's a Type 94, if you look closer the Tsuba appears to be solid and the Ito & fittings don't have the detail seen in early swords.

Something not seen very often these days as many were discarded over the years. Not sure if you could put a monetary value on one, but the historical value is significant as occasionally the officers wrote their details on them. Two swords in my small collection still retain original bags, unfortunately one is in tatters but was happy to keep it with the sword. The son of the WWII veteran confirmed it came to his father with the same bag. Others have come with bags that could certainly be original but the post war provenance isn't known. 1: Kai Gunto surrendered in Dutch Borneo 2: Yasumitsu from a US Lt. Colonel

From Japan: https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/u1209946393

A finely made Habaki is such a pleasant object, thank you for sharing.

If it helps I met Mark a couple of weeks ago at an event, this sword and a many of the other listings were on offer.

For what it's worth it's the Seki Tosho Yoshihara, not the Gendai Tosho. You'd want to see some documentation to back up the claims, and a far better resolution photo or video of Admiral Fukudome with a sword to confirm it.

The results from the big English auction sites can always be taken with a grain of salt when compared to the real market. The relative prices of masterpiece swords haven't really changed much in hundreds of years.

Most of these articles appear to be AI generated, wouldn't put much faith in any of the details offered.

Such things have been explored and perfected elsewhere; Howard Clark comes to mind using L6, and Hanwei using various special steels over the years. That market has always been more focused on performance, whereas modern Japanese Tosho perhaps focus more on the artistic side rather than sheer functionality at the cost of everything else.

Jacques raises a good point, the overwhelming majority of good Sue Bizen works with long Mei will feature a Nengo. For those who own Sue Koto vols. Iⅈ you will be hard pressed to find an example that doesn't follow this pattern. There will be exceptions out there, but they are certainly not the rule.

The Kissaki appears poorly re-shaped, if you're located in Japan I would try and locate a mid level dealer and see what they have.

Looks like 義治 - Yoshiharu

This old listing will be familiar: https://www.artswords.com/Soshu_Hiromitsu_Katana_Russo_Japanese_Admirals_Mounts_040607.htm

Hizen Tadayoshi has a particular trait of signing Tachi Mei on Katana, you will note your example is signed on the incorrect side for a long sword. You will learn a great deal about Hizen smiths from that website Ray linked in a short order of time. Another useful reference can be found here: https://www.sho-shin.com/shinto-hizen.html

One that appeared recently from Japan, usually the second Mon appears on a Menuki:

Hello Jeffrey, welcome to the forum and congratulations on the find. That's a rather nice looking Type 98 Shin Gunto, the blade looks to be Nihonto but in this case likely bears a false signature (Gimei) of Hizen Kuni Tadayoshi.

Value is likely what you paid for it, the older papers are not taken too seriously any more. Looks like a well made dagger at the very least.

Very interesting sword, I believe the smith is Hojoji Tachibana Nagakuni. There is a known relationship between this smith and the sword tester Yamano Hisahide, see the below thread for more information:

Well put Sam, the serial offender(s) should honestly be ashamed at this point. If common decency is completely lacking, many would welcome moderator action.

There's a glimpse of Hada in one of the photos that would suggest Shin Shinto, however the rest of the sword suggests it was made closer to Nanbokucho.

Basing it off the Mei is more reasonable as Horimono may be Atobori, and many original Horimono didn't stop above the Habaki. Your best bet would be to find an Ubu example of this same smith and compare the Mei placement.