Utopianarian

Appears corroded but looks like might have been signed katana mei. Illegible but Possibly the first character Kuni can’t read the rest. Since signed katana mei on early blade maybe Ko-Aoe.? Maybe just my tired old eyes

Generally speaking. Did you ever notice some sellers have photos in the listing of a blade which the definition or picture quality appears like a vintage camera or camera phone from 20 years ago was used. I believe there is a market for vintage outdated cameras/phones. “Mysteriously” usually on a blade that didn’t quite make the cut (excuse the pun). So if you have any old Vintage camera laying in a drawer somewhere please be sure to list it. It has value. Tip: Cracked or damaged cameras no worries just use a second vintage camera/phone to photograph it in your listing.

Mother Fukure!!!

I also would like to add the seller I would assume probably is a member of this board or a visitor

Colin, hagire wasn’t mentioned. Here is what was advertised on the blade. It was posted on other sites in UK as well. What was odd was there initially was two postings for same sword- one dressed in Gunto without detailed pics of blade with low price tag and another posting of blade with lots of pics without the Gunto fittings but priced twice as high. When I did comparisons of the pics I could tell it was the same blade so I chose the cheaper half price posting with the fittings which was odd. I asked many times if it was the same blade. I knew this blade would have issues but could tell it was an early blade worth the risk regardless. It’s hard to find an ubu tachi from this early of a period without forking over big bucks. Here is a pic I saved of one of the descriptions says “out of polish has issues hence price” I sort of knew this blade had a fatal flaw and actually expected it. I still wanted this piece. I don’t think many have ubu tachi from this period so I can live with the hagire especially for what I paid for it. Nice to have in hand instead of looking at one behind glass or in a book. Top shelf study piece . I know the listing is kind of misleading if one thinks they can get this blade for a steal get it polished and then paper Juyo. I already knew that wouldn’t happen. The seller seemed to know about nihonto using the terminology here and there so he knows what he has and what’s possible. I’m sure if this was a candidate for Juyo he would be on a long waiting list for polish and wouldn’t let it go

Finally arrived. The blade structure looks like ubu early kamakura or Heian. 76 cm nagasa,shinogi ridge does not continue into the nakago. Kokissaki, fumbari. Feels very light for its size. Nakago with thick black patina which is very smooth to the touch. Areas of corrosion noted on blade pitted in some areas which are too deep to polish out. From what I can make out in the hamon appears like tiny activities of kochoji with kinsuji (hard to capture in pics) Note: there are hagire in (7) separate areas I could identify. I do think this blade being so early and ubu warrants preservation. I have the means to get polish some time in the future. I know others on the board will come out of the woodwork in attack mode regarding the dreaded “Hagire” and blade just study piece that will never paper and that’s ok by me. My thoughts are from what I see in my somewhat limited knowledge is very similar to possibly KoBizen work. I am leaving for work so haven’t posted the details of all measurements or the Gunto fittings it was dressed in. Here are a few quick pics.

Great. Now the package is awaiting clearance since 4am yesterday still not updated and seems to be stuck in clearance now for approximately 30 hours. FedEx insured for 250 pounds. I would assume customs would not bother opening the package for inspection. Hopefully now it won’t end up missing or seen as a weapon of mass destruction. It’s an antique nihonto for Gods sake. Long wait now to figure out what becomes of it. Any board members with any guesses of what happens next?

Ken, if I am not mistaken that ww2 era blade is still for sale. Sovereign Antiques has a few for sale. My shipment is now flying somewhere over the GB Channel islands. John, definitely will post lots of pics when I receive. Blade however is badly in need of polish from what I could see. I can no longer review pics in add as the listing is now removed after sale. Always risk with old corroded blades. This one is no exception. I will keep you posted

John, I just posted one pic showing sugata. There were over 30 pics I reviewed. Nagasa 78cm ubu. I saw enough in pics to pull the trigger on this one. I have made quite a few brave (dumb) purchases in the past. I am currently working on trying to unmaster the art of Brave purchases lol cheers

First time buying from UK from this site. Anyways this tachi looks like promising buy. Hopefully shipping from there to US makes it in one piece. Here is a picture of sugata shape looks good. Fittings were Gunto with civilian tsuba. Gunto saya had two mounted hangers on it.

I couldn’t agree more Bruce. Maybe if I told my wife the next sword I buy comes in a Louis Vuitton sword bag I will have much success:)

Hey Bruce, yes agree a market correction seems likely. What a better buying opportunity it seems. Yes this one the seller said google translate could not make out the mei and elaborated saying it adds to the mystery of the sword. So it somewhat went under the radar not listing as a Mantetsu piece.

Here is the Mei of that blade

It appears the prices of Mantetsu Gunto prices have trended down significantly especially since before the Pandemic. I just saw one just yesterday auction off on eBay for $1400. These used to go for $3,800 just a few years ago. The one just auctioned was a Mantetsu forged spring of 1941 in half decent original Gunto fittings with blade in decent shape. All matching seppa and parts numbered appeared all original untouched. I am not much into WW2 blades but man what a deal I should have bid higher than $1300 range. Who knows maybe the trend will go lower. I used to think $2000 was a decent deal. Now what? I think I will keep an eye out for a Mantetsu or at least an exceptional example is out there for a good bargain now

Hello, does this work appear to be Oei Bizen work or some kind of later Soshu influenced school.

Jussi, thank you for sharing your knowledge. Your research and posts are valuable information to myself and the board as well. We are blessed to have you here on the board. Sincerely, George

Asking the Board to educate me if this Smith actually existed or just fantasy. I saw a post of a Kamakura blade which I assume is a Commemorative to the spirit of the Smith Shinsoku. Is there any solid proof or just unicorns and pixie dust dreams of any surviving blades. Hawley rates him 5000 but I know how reliable Hawley can be and take that with a grain of salt. Respond with your thoughts be it fantasy or reality on this Legendary Smith

I am definitely satisfied for what it is and going to enjoy it. At some point in the future will go thru the process of papering the blade hopefully I will get it done before I die and leave it to my children

Additional pic

Pics continued

I wanted to share some updated pictures with you. Wanted to know your thoughts on the mei and the blade. Signed katana mei: Bitchu kuni junin Hidetsugu? The last character hard to interpret.

Better more clear pics of Boshi

When I first found this blade it was in bad shape with a broken kissaki. Jimmy working his magic reshaped the kissaki. There was enough material left to rework kissaki . It turned out beautiful!! Here are pics of broken tip Kissaki before restoration. Also Brian Tschernega did amazing work with Shirasaya and Gold two piece Habaki.