Julien

@CarstairsCowboy Please see no malice in my previous comments. I only shared references to help you evaluate your blade. As others have already mentioned, I think there are two important points to keep in mind: - A gimei sword can still be a piece of very fine craftsmanship. - More importantly, this is your family treasure, and it was likely the treasured possession of a Japanese family decades ago as well. Depending on the time, energy, and money you are willing to invest, you could certainly have the sword polished and have a new habaki and shirasaya made. Personally, I would not worry too much about the fittings, but again, this is entirely a personal decision. In the end, it is completely up to you.

One with Hozon kanteishō, https://www.aoijapan.net/wakizashi-aoimon-syume-kami-ichinohira-yasuyo/ One with Tokubetsu Hozon https://eirakudo.shop/token/tachikatana/detail/453578

In case this helps

@jesup I will probably visit him next week. I will keep you updated about the rates and the waiting time !

I will dig out this old thread for some updates. I had the pleasure to meet Jon last week in Japan, he is sound and well !

@Jrbjag I will visit a militaria shop in Japan next week, I will ask if they have something.

Hanayakana Nihonto Bizen Ichimonji now 100 euros + shipping costs (~12-15e)

Shinto Taikan is sold

@Rawa This is the 1976 edition

I will be in Europe from the 9th of November to the 15 of November. I can take the books with me and ship from France. 300 euros + shipping from France asked

The sword is up again on yahoo, currently a bit above 500 000 yen and it ends at the end of the day, in case someone could be interested.

Price reduced until Sunday : 300 euros + shipping worldwide (shipping cost is 123 euros by airmail, and 43 euros by sea mail) (Or possible to collect it on site during the DTI)

Bump on this, Open to offer ! Shinto taikan is truly a must have

Being located in Japan, the shipping is from there !

- Shinto Taikan by Iimura V1 and V2 : 400 euros + shipping, 1650 pages in total. Weight is around 7.5kg. Hard cover, Clothbound with slipcase. Bible for shinto swords, numerous oshigata in the first volume and high quality pictures in the second. There is some staining on some pages.

-Hanayakana Nihonto Bizen Ichimonji : 150 euros + shipping Book is in perfect condition, as new. Hard cover, Clothbound with slipcase. This is a really hard to find book. It depicts 52 highly important swords and several National Treasures (oshigata and picture of really good quality).

It could be 品は極上 値段は手頃 群馬縣藤岡市 岡與合名會社 It talk about good quality for good price, Gunma Fujioka-shi, XX Company

Looks like 備前國長船住祐定 bizen kuni osafune ju sukesada, but always hard with that type of picture

Could be : 京〇 石原, second kanji is hard for me to read It looks like it could be a name : Kyo〇 Ishihara

Dear all, thank you for all the comments. I can assure you of this, if you notice something that you think should be flagged, please do not hesitate to reach out directly through the website. I am making myself available and do respond/act quickly. I wish you all the best

Thank you for your response and the screenshot. I think this is most likely a bug on the platform. I will advise them.

Hi Sebastian and Ray. Thank you Ray for the comment. I am Julien, Patrice's successor (whom I know well). I do not know where that description come from, it is most likely a bug... ! As an introduction, I am a french dealer and expert in Oriental and Asian weapons (registered in a french expert chamber...). Nihonto are not my primary speciality but I do have knowledge in the field and I am working on it with zeal (but yet... I will never tell you I have the knowledge of Ray). I also work in African art, that is right. Anyway, if you have any question, feel free to contact me, and Sebastian, if you ever more details, do not hesitate to send me a PM ! Enjoy your day, Julien