Blazeaglory

Thank you. Yes I agree and I thought we were talking about your first quote in regards to a different nakago. So now that I know you're referring to my blade, I understand. I agree that this blade that I've pictured is a Shinto. Personally I feel it could be mid 17th century to mid 18th century. Usually I stick with Koto but this one grabbed my attention due to the bohi and extreme sugata. I have the connesiours book and I think that it's probably the best investment I've made. I sleep with it next to my bed, fall asleep reading and wake up reading ..lol I really wish I could show this blade in person. The lines are almost perfect in relation to the overall structure. No rust although It's a little tired with some ware, but overall it's in great condition. Its also super sharp (almost as sharp as my "Mino" Waki). I was leaning towards Soshu den but is it true that Bizen was a strong influence for Soshu smiths? Also there are no Soshu smiths after Koto correct? I can see some aspects of Mizuta but overall I keep coming back to Kotetsu school... But really the pics I posted don't show all the detail that I see in hand. My camera doesn't want to focus when I want it to, so pics turn out crap . Anyways, thanks for the detailed response. If I've offended anyone with prior posts (in general not my direct response "defensive" comeback posts), I'm sorry. Sometimes I misinterpret what others say due to past experiences and general upbringing. But in reality I'm just more offended by insults towards my Nihonto than insults towards me????????

Hello again. I don't know the exact name for this but I think its a ring to reinforce and add decoration to a saya? I got this in a lot of a bunch of menuki for a couple bucks. Looks to be Shibuichi but upon deeper inspection, might be silver plated brass. It does have a Mei, so ill try to take better pics later. I haven't really checked it out fully but I wanted to know if anyone has seen anything like this before? Is it old or a new reproduction?

Ok we're talking about the link you quoted now correct? I thought it was a koto blade that had yasurime added (or touched up) during shinshinto era? You're saying the entire blade and nakago is shinshinto? If you couldn't tell before, I'm confused. Why would AOI mention Kamakura or Muromachi (or whatever) ? I'm searching Bizen nakago but I'm still confused. Please no jokes and don't rub it in. Just explain to me like I'm an innocent child or adult named Mongo. Thanks

Never said anything about national treasures... See where your mind goes? God forbid a person can find some O suriage Wakizashi or a decent ubu Wakizashi from a good smith or school without relying on papers and signatures...I mean its just so unheard of right? Also, it's not only eBay. I am always searching estate sales and have ads out looking for certain items including Nihonto. EBay is mostly over priced CRAP but once every so often a nice blade slips through. In this case I feel it was worth every penny (considering the shirasaya and polish alonefar outweigh the price I paid) Don't get upset because you have to pay 10s of thousands to have a decent blade. And that's fine, I would do the same thing if I found a great blade I really wanted. I understand not everyone can wade through hundreds of crappy Nihonto to find some decent ones or diamonds in the rough. Not everyone is born with such skills. Most need a paper and signature to sooth their nerves. I get it and have nothing against it. I would never use that as info just to insult someone. We're all in the same game. To find the good ones. Not everyone can be the Indiana Jones of Nihonto collecting like me. It's a burden I must carry all my own. Like I said I've been looking all year and last 6 months ive been looking to buy. Within the last 3 months ive separated the "no's" from the "maybes". Out of hundreds I found 3. Two of those I bought and the other was sold before I could buy it (it was a really nice and possibly early shobu zukuri that was pretty much spotless with 27 viewers that sold for less than 700$) . Anyways I know now that some of you just can't get passed your (seeming) jealousy and insecurity, which is fine and not meant as an insult but please don't take it out on me. I promise not to bring it up again or spaz post. And one day I'll buy a ubu signed piece just as homage to all of you "connesours". Until then, smoke the peace pipe and let's all appreciate Nihonto in our own way. Love you guys. You complete me..lol

File marks are fresh (shinshinto) but it's still a koto nakago correct? That's what I gathered from the info.

Aye aye aye. Thanks for that and I understand what you're saying and nothing personal but IT'S RANT TIME... To me, your state of mind in that response misses the most of the point of collecting and care taking. If people didn't search out "garbage" blades, imagine how many great and possible treasures would be gone for eternity... Any person with money can own a papered ubu Nihonto from a well known smith but it takes guts and courage to wade through hundreds of "dead" Nihonto to find one or two worth saving and taking a gamble. Out of 2to3 months of looking to buy, I found 2 Wakizashi that I was willing to gamble on (to preserve and make new koshirae for) and one gimei that I bought for next to nothing so I can examine a fake in person. One of the two could possibly be an old Mino (Kanemoto). And this Wakazashi is very well made and looks so much better in hand. My phone focuses when it wants so when I do get good pics, i try to remember to share with you guys. But i guess i should also remember that allot of veterans have become jaded and easily upset by these "low budget" Nihonto and ramblers like me who like to push buttons or am scatter brained with my posts sometimes. I paid $400 for this one. Thank you for the advice but how many ubu Nihonto with signatures can you get for under $500? I really am trying to listen but I have no problem with unsigned blades or o-suriage. Mainly because they are over looked by most "veteran" collectors and they are also diamonds in the rough and I like the mystery and possible history associated with them. A signed ubu is great but kinda takes away the mystique. This is what I've heard from a few members here so far... All nihonto are special (but only if they're ubu and have signature) Feel free to discuss swords (but only in a prescribed brief rigid manner without smiling or enjoying ones self) Share info (but be brief and don't try to deliver detailed information in anything other than kantei and even then keep it short lest someone misinterpret) You can collect and appreciate whatever you want (but if it's unsigned or not ubu, it's garbage) Be satisfied with what veteran members say (even tho many times the information is contradicting and in some cases hypocritical) So God forbid I try to update and share new pictures or thought out open minded information. And quite frankly I'm tired of explaining myself. Nothing against you personally but I like looking at Nihonto with multiple pictures and when a member tries to update for better images. And sorry for making you read such a long rant. But I'm tired of all the "don't buy this, buy that". Right now I don't want a perfect sword! I want unnoticed blades so I can appreciate every detail and flaw as to truly understand what perfection is from high ranking smiths. When I'm ready and know exactly what smith and school I want to spend thousands on, I will. To quote someone I respect here , "if you've got an off button, PRESS IT!!!" Well I'm pressing it. And FYI, I post these pics of these horrible mumei blades to share the multiple characteristics of each blade, to stimulate discussion and for posterity for future generations to explore. With that I bid you all adieu...

Hello. Do these belong to anyone here? If so, very nice! https://www.ebay.com/itm/401564865301?_trksid=p2380057.m570.l5999&_trkparms=gh1g%3DI401564865301.N36.S1.R3.TR13

Yasurime looks similar? but that nakago looks allot older I would say

Why would a smith do that? Just felt like freshening up an old nakago? Haha I understood what Jean was saying, I was just giving my reasons for thinking the nakago could be older. I'm thinking early Edo? This nakago yasurime looks to be sujikai? Does not look shinshinto tho I'm 99% sure of that. I'll refer you to Gandalf from lord of the rings in regards to shinshinto coming into this house????

Oops tried to edit and accidentally qouted???? The edit is noted above plus I was going to add these pics for posterity???????? (Thanks to Mark Seskos Kantei eReference for comparison)

Ive been seeing allot of questionable stuff (on ebay) coming out of Poland lately. Asking extremely high prices as well.

Sorry If Im offending anyone, but you think this could belong to the Kagemitsu school? Or you think this particular blade is too "young"?? Looks to be made in the Bizen (or similar influence?) style as some have said. I'm incline to agree but mention Shitahara school as a candidate. Also, as Jean said, dating from the nakago alone is tough because for me as a rookie, sometimes It looks "newer" (meaning early/mid Edo) but yet for some reason appears to possibly look older due to little things such as a possibly chiseled nakago-ana or the different stages of patina/pitting and looks in different light/angles. Anyways, I appreciate the info. Ill give it a rest now. Im just bored and excited and thought Id post some better pics with better light for everyone. Thanks all.

Ive been watching one of his sales for a bit now. I don't necessarily want to buy it, just seeing what else he adds. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Japanese-sword-wakizashi-signed-Kawachi-no-kami-Fujiwara-Kunisuke/253937210775?hash=item3b1fd65597:g:7FMAAOSwhh9bzycX:rk:10:pf:0

Was going to say Bizen but I'll go with Rayhans answer

I totally agree. Definitely on my list of things to get in the near future????

Thick wire bent/formed and held in a vice but sometimes moves. The real item is expensive

Which famous smith was it (multiple fakes) , who when shown a sword that was thought to be fake he replied, "It's my sword but not my signature!"

Looks way better in person. You can see the iron color and patina way better without all the white washed photo

Very nice! I had no idea this was in America I love those Tachi style Koshirae

Third times a charm

Ahhh yes I know that stuff and now that you mention it, I remember that thread and have it saved somewhere. It's s nice shirasaya too. Really smooth and nice stripped ho wood

Excellent! Thanks I don't want to leave the rubber bands because I know they can get gross after a while. That's a very smart method! Ok back to tsuka ito ????????

Nice. The pieces just kept getting better????

Ahaaa good one!

Edit maybe not