Jason N

It appears to be a non-traditional blade to me, and as such, would not be worth a traditional polish. A non-traditional less expensive method to restore the blade may be worth considering (if it’s 100% certain you have a factory made sword). It would probably be better to wipe it down with some oil and store it in low humidity to prevent further rust. That said, my suggestion to do a nontraditional restoration would still be considered controversial by many even on a mass produced factory made blade. Personally, I don’t consider such blades to be of any value other than as weapons, militaria, or sentimental. There’s really not a substantial dollar value in such things, so I wouldn’t spend much or anything to restore it unless it has some special personal significance, in which case, money doesn’t matter, go for a traditional restoration.

I didn’t see a mention of one, but Is there a shirasaya with this? Is the sword bag included? I like the hamon. This katana ticks most of the boxes for me, shame it’s suriage but I’m still tempted.

If in the fourth photo is what you are referring to as a “+”, that appears to be a seki stamp, so non-traditionally made blade. I have no insight on the mei.

I’m glad you liked it. I think the use of power hammers is far more common than exclusively hand hammering, and I don’t think it disqualifies a blade from being considered “traditionally made” Nihonto. I’m sure most modern smiths have a power hammer, but we just don’t see them used in most documentaries that show the more traditional forging techniques.

I remember growing up, my aunt had a cabinet for displaying antique silverware. The wares would not tarnish. Maybe a silverware cabinet would suit your purpose? Out of curiosity, I was looking for one, but found something else more like what you described, hermetically sealed, humidity controlled, temperature/pressure regulated and nitrogen charged: http://stashc.com/the-publication/storage-furniture/cabinets/hermetically-sealed-case-for-the-storage-of-objects-in-a-stable-inert-atmospher/

Is there a Habaki? I don’t see one, so fake? Better pictures are needed, I can’t really tell what I’m looking at, but I’m a noob so take it with a grain of salt.

Beautiful. If it’s still available in a month, which I highly doubt, I’d be an interested buyer, just can’t do it right now.

???? I refer back to that same video often.

I believe Ray answered this question referring to the sword as Showato. Showato were mass produced for military use and oil quenched. Not traditionally made, sorry. That said, it has worth as a piece of military history.

I saw a swordsmith’s apprentice using what appeared to be one of these “head cutters” to chop charcoal for the forge. It was in the documentary “Master and His Last Apprentice”.

Thanks for the tip. I added it to my watchlist, and in the process of searching for it, I found another to watch in the suggestions, “Master and His Last Disciple“. I just finished watching that one, and highly recommend it.

“The Japanese Sword” by Kanzan Sato appears to be a first edition, 1983. Is that a factor in this books value? Should I worry about wear and tear using it? I have another copy at home, just quickly grabbed this one to read on my next flight (8 hours, ????).

Yes, that one. I misspelled, but corrected. I first heard of it from the movie “Ghost Dog” with Forest Whitaker. It’s interesting to see the same excerpts, but in full context.

Yeah, I kinda knew. I already had the Turnbull book in pdf, and a “mint” hardcover Sato. Next to the book store was an antique shop. They had a rusty Gunto with a chipped kissaki in mounts for $6500. ????. I think the books might actually be worth more.

Found at local used book shop across from my hotel while traveling: Hagakure, Yamamoto Tsunetomo English translation, hardcover, $10 The Japanese Sword, Kanzan Sato, hardcover, $8 Samurai, Steven Turnbull, hardcover, $8 All books in “good” condition. At least I have some reading material on my next flight.

????Ray knows what he’s talking about. Disregard my ignorance.

I am also a new member, and still have a lot to learn, but to my eyes, there is nothing about that blade that is Japanese.

I have no idea what the mei says, but the nakago seems far fresher than the color of patina suggests.

Perhaps I lack the experience to make the same observations others have made. I have two oil tempered shinken, and the hamon in those is nothing like this one. The oil tempered ones have no activity within the hamon and appear darker than the rest of the steel. The photos of the hamon reflecting light do make it look oil tempered to me, but I find that’s generally the case with that type of photography.

Perhaps because I’m a newb, but I don’t see oil tempering or stamp removal. If I were a prospective buyer, I’d contact Aoi art directly and ask. If I still had doubts, I’d pass.

I’m no expert, but that looks more like where two different steels were welded together. I don't see any hamon in the kissaki. It looks to me that the hamon runs off behind the kissaki, but it’s hard to tell from those pics.

I have no need of a Tsukamaki stand. That said, I’d consider buying yours as a piece of art. ????

Wow! That’s one nice piece for a starter. Do you have children? I am available for adoption. Just don’t forget to add me to your will. ????

???? On LED. I picked up 2x 2000lm LED mechanic’s work lights with tripods for $35 each at Walmart. They adjust in height and x,y,z angle for a little more than a pack of LED bulbs.

If you dream of owning a Nihonto, there are many entry level choices at 1/4 of the price with Koshirae. If 10K is a trivial sum to you, and Hitatsura is your thing, I’d say go for it. We like what we like.