Julien

Looks like Japan Post has resumed shipping services to the United States, so items can now be shipped to the US ! (Note : Tariff taxe need to be prepaid at the post office). So, new price : 200$ Shipping & Tariff included

My pleasure

It looks like 頒御賜 https://katanahanbai.com/katana/kanesaki-marsha-admiral/ Found this website with a blade bearing similar engraving, and the same traduction

If this can help, I sometimes goes on the same "hunting grounds" as Masa... I generally overlook/do not consider the kind of pieces he buys, but if you are looking for something specific, I can definitively keep an eye open for you, and share pics.

Looks like this sword was some sort of recognition gift to Iwata Kanzo (岩田 勘造). The document was issued the 1st April of 1939. It seems he was an employee of the South Manchuria Railway Company for 25 years.

Last drop : 180 euros shipping included.

This is the list of board members of the NBTHK. While the board is separate from the shinsa, it is likely that some members also participate as judges.HP役員名簿2025.11.20.pdf

Bump ! 200e shipping included !

Look like 近江守助直 Omi no Kami Sukenao for the smith For the date... hard to read the first two... XX十一年二月吉日 (a lucky day in February, 11 years of XX period) Could be an attempt for Kanbun (but I could be wrong). If it is the case, it would place it in 1671. For reference : https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/shop/product/antique-Japanese-sword-katana-signed-by-sukenaonbthk-tokubetsu-hozon-certificate/?srsltid=AfmBOoqFBzvIQqRvZLHIVuerSmz8gYmMQlPAFpromZ5KjQ6AnIzs8klC

Offering this fuchi/kashira set depicting a kawasemi (kingfisher) perched on a branch, holding a fish in its beak. The patina on this set is particularly attractive (imo), and the pair would be excellent mounted. Size Kashira : 3.4cm * 1.9cm * 9mm Size Fuchi : 3.75 cm * 2.1cm * 1.3cm Size ana : 2.8 cm * 9.5mm 225 euros Shipping worldwide (excluding US as Japan Post do not ship there ) and kiri box included

One technique I use is to invert colors. It is best to take a clear picture of each character and invert them one by one. It does not work everytime but this is really useful. You can also use it on fadded signature (nakago or tsuba)... The first two kanji as exemple

Since Jūyō shinsa operates differently and is significantly more expensive than Hozon or Tokubetsu Hozon, it can sometimes feel somewhat unpredictable. If a session is particularly strong, with many exceptional blades submitted, the competition becomes very intense, and a blade may fail to pass if it does not stand out even among already outstanding works. So, it may not pass the first time, but could be resubmitted a second, third time... As a result, the process can be quite time/cost consuming for dealers. And as Robert pointed out, if the name and attribution stand out already, it can be enough, even without Jūyō papers or above...

Hanayakana Nihonto Bizen Ichimonji now 100 euros shipping included worldwide

Bump

@MauroP I personally really liked the other nanban tsuba, the lot after the one you bought. How was it in person ?