ChrisW

I can't claim to know much about iaido. Why is it preferable? So its easy to attach to one's belt?

That is stupefyingly impressive. I can't imagine the steadiness of the hand that did that.

Perhaps part of it was that Japan simply did not have as much modern military history behind it as Germany did? They had to play a rapid game of catch-up and therefore did not develop as many field-use items as their European counterparts. It could also be that our GI's were drawn to the flashier items like swords (which the Nazis did not really make much use of in the field). GI's were allowed only a certain amount of 'war trophies'. So they'd rather use their allotment for the more eye-catching pieces like swords.

I have a Kanesada like that, it needs a tsuka assembly made for it and then I can tie it proper.

Basically, I treated it like doing a really fancy version of a lashing. Just as JP says, keeping it tight was key.

So you think it is gimei? The kanji on both sides is rubbed slightly on the shinogi, that does make it shine brighter than the surrounding areas. Is that an issue? If gimei, its definitely older as the patina inside the kanji matches the rest of the nakago. Also thanks for your help Steve. I will definitely find an opportunity to show it in person to someone once I can get an opportunity.

Thanks for the complements guys! I'll definitely keep at it. I'll just have to get more nihonto that are ready for this sort of treatment. Maybe my Sukesada should be next after all!

What is your feeling on the veracity of the mei? Or is this a 'best to judge in hand' situation? I appreciate all your help!

Thanks Steve! So the date is February 1506? Does it include a day?

Here's another of the date side:

Best of luck Jeremiah! Do the paper trick she shows, it prevents fraying of the ends!

Sheesh, sorry guys, I really ought to invest in a proper camera by this point. Please let me know if any more photos are needed. Your knowledge is dearly appreciated.

Hey guys, I seem to have an affinity (or I am cheap) and another wakizashi has found me. This one is supposedly signed "Bizen no Kuni ju no Osafune Norimitsu," and I believe it has a date of production as well. I believe it's Koto. It sadly does not have a habaki and the saya does not likely belong to it nor does the tsuba. But they all came together and the blade still has decent geometry, minus a few nail catchers. I would love your guys' opinion from kissaki to nakago, any information and if this would be a good candidate for polish would be appreciated. P.S. I apologize for the pictures being upside-down and such, they would not cooperate with me this time for some reason.

Youtube is your best friend for this. I followed this lady's lead. She explained and showed it very well and seems to be very skilled at it.

I love me some phoenix motif. Unless this is rooster, then I just can't tell the difference.

Hey guys! You'll probably be able to point out the flaws in it. I can tell that the ends are a bit off center, but this is my first attempt at sageo tying; so I thought I'd share it with you all! This is on a wakizashi that I bought from a guy here and I replaced the tsuba with something I felt fit the piece better. Obviously the sageo's coloring is off for this, but its the closest I could find. I am still fairly proud of it (maybe my boy scout days are paying off, maybe not), though I am sure I'll look back on it years from now and shake my head.

As the old saying goes, "play with fire and you'll eventually get burned." Of course, I wouldn't say we play with our nihonto so much as enjoy them. But working with something potentially dangerous means (usually) eventually your number does get called.

A very handsome blade despite the nakago issue. I wonder what era/school it belongs to.

That explains the part that looks off. I've never seen one with a bolt.

The blade looks nice... the nakago looks mangled to me though. Extreme case of a last-minute put-together back in the day?

I agree. This should all be documented and studied in greater depth. I feel the metallurgy has a lot to do with how styles fluctuated.

Scary stuff.

It may be a reasonable asking price when comparing to past sales, but there simply may not be any buyers at that price level currently. A person could be selling a $250,000 Ferrari but if there's no buyers for that price level of a Ferrari, it will go unsold.

It could simply be that buyers are not willing to pay the price that sellers are asking. Its all supply and demand. Anything is only worth what someone is willing to pay. Once those with money have what they want, then all the gorgeous and highly-sought blades in the world won't matter.

No, sounds about right to me!