Julien

I may be harsh or suspicious but... I think it would help you if you post a picture of the sword with your name / date written on a paper ?

The two other books are sold too

Looks like a hard book to find ! Good luck In case you do not have it (or did not knew about it), I can advise you the Hizen To Taikan, really good reference that focus on the Tadayoshi lineage (sadly, in Japanese)

Personally, when I see a photo of a kanteisho with the left side obscured (online auctions), I tend to be very cautious. The second key point is whether the torokusho details (Prefecture, number, era, and date) match with what is written on the kanteisho, and whether that section shows any signs of alteration (corrections, strike-throughs, etc.). Third, the nagasa listed on the kanteisho should match both the blade and the torokusho. I have seen cases where the torokusho and blade matched, but the kanteisho differed by as much as 8 cm. Finally, if something feels off, it is best to walk away.

I will add my two cents here (a bit far from the original subject, yet connected in my opinion). First of all, I fully agree with @Rivkin, who expressed the point far more clearly than I could have. Secondly, there have always been both good and poor blades, regardless of the period. The finest swords were those best suited to their intended purpose. It therefore makes little sense to compare, for example, a Kamakura tachi with a Kanbun-period blade later modified to fit a sword cane in the Meiji period. Today, we are far from those times of warfare, at least in their traditional form. I believe that we now collect swords primarily for their historical significance (of which all blades are a part), their aesthetic qualities, and, for some people, the prestige associated to the blade/the smith. Since the original functional aspect of the sword is no longer central, a wide range of blades from every era, regardless of sugata, hamon, or hada, whether signed or mumei, and whether associated with a prestigious lineage, a temple, or an ordinary samurai, can be appreciated on their own merits. I believe that every smiths probably created at least one piece that could be fully enjoyable !

The seller just let me know that the Mino Taikan is no longer available

Hi guys, I was offered lately three books in Japan, that I already have. I know they are quite hard to find, so I am happy to give you the opportunity. 1/ Soshu Den Meisaku Shu, 1500 copies only, by Honma Junji - 850$ + shipping (the shipping cardboard box is a bit damaged / soiled, the book is in excellent condition) 2/ Mino To Taikan, 1500 copies, by Tokuno Kazuo - 200$ + shipping (the box is sun faded, book in excellent state) 3/ Studies in Kyo Goto, by Naohisa Tsujitomo - 200$ + shipping (book and box in good condition)

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 ?

@Jussi Ekholm @ROKUJURO Thank you for your input. This is also something I have considered and I do agree that the last bohi is something that puzzled me too. Another possibility could be that this blade is an utsushimono/"sword in the style of", made during the shinshinto period.

Thank you, Uwe, for sharing the document. This is particularly interesting: “Usually his signed blades are short uchigatana or long hirazukuri wakizashi.” I believe the hada and hamon, as well as the ko-ashi, mitsumune, and type of horimono on my blade, align well with this description. If it is recognized as Soshu Tsunahiro, it would then, more than likely, correspond to the work of the second or third generation. If there are any collectors of Soshu-den on the forum, I would be very interested in hearing their thoughts.

Hi Giordy, All opinions matters. I thank you for trying and give us your thoughts ! This is never an easy task. One peculiar blade led me to think about Soshu Tsunahiro. (Source : https://nihonto-museum.com/blog/soshu-tsunahiro). Mine also have that suguha with a few ashi