Sansei

It appears to be shortened but I will ask him to measure the blade length to see. I wouldn't pay that much for it but you're probably right that someone else could.

Thank you, John and Mal. I had suspected a traditional sword repurposed for military use. The owner does not know a lot about these things and is trying to sell it for $1000. All things considered, clearly not worth the price.

Not sure it belongs in this section. A fellow I know is selling this. He says his mother gave it to him 50 years ago. She came from Japan. Can someone identify what this is and approximate date it was made?

Thank you Piers.

My cousin sent us photocopies of pages from a book. I would like to find out what book these pages were copied from, if possible. My grandfather is shown next to another gentleman (third page). I would surmise that the book has something to do with the person shown on the second page. The highlighted text seems to be related to my grandfather?

David, I agree with Lex. If you don't want to travel to Orlando or Chicago for a large sword show, there may be smaller groups in Texas where you can get up close and personal with some blades: "For Texas-specific events, check with the Texas Token Kai in Austin for potential local meetings or unlisted shows: contact John Stewart at txtokenkai@hotmail.com. Updates can also be found on sites like www.japaneseswordindex.com or www.ncjsc.org, as show schedules may change." - Grok.

TRUE cutting test would add to the value of the blade.....which THIS one is obviously NOT. True cutting tests were done on bodies of executed prisoners and other cadavers. This guy is alive although maybe brain dead?

The dealer is offering a small polishing subsidy (around $350 usd) which suggests that the blade does need polishing. A good professional polish would cost several thousand, probably more than the blade is selling for. I would pass on this one and look for a blade that does not need the polish.

David, I like this blade for a first Nihonto. Papered Hozon and the price is negotiable, I think. You will learn a lot when you get it in-hand and examine it close up for yourself. Make an offer $1500 usd and see what the vendor says?

Would appreciate a translation of this inscription on the back of my grandfather's katana kake. Thank you in advance.

Nice blade. Although, for me it would probably be more like the second or third sword. Not the first.

Samantha, It's to your credit that you contacted the experts on this forum to get an opinion. I think that a lot of people get misled into thinking they have found or inherited something worth much more than it really is; often by watching programs like Antiques Roadshow (not that you have, of course). I paid $4000 to have a sword polished recently. I was afraid that the sword was not worth that much, but afterwards an expert appraiser valued it at $25000 retail. So the restoration was worth it for me. Good luck.

"However, I believe the transaction is highly likely to conclude. In the past decade, collectors in China have been the biggest market after Japan for elite shinto makers. If I had to place a wager, I would bet that this goes to China." Yes, Hoshi. I would not doubt a Chinese buyer. I am not making comparisons about the "item" being auctioned, but the Chinese have made some big (some would say outlandish) purchases. For them, it's all about cornering the market. "Cornering the market means acquiring enough control over a particular commodity or stock to manipulate its price. This is typically done by owning a significant portion of the available supply, allowing the owner to set prices and potentially profit from the manipulation." The Chinese have been doing the same thing with racing homing pigeons; which can be a very lucrative business: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/animal-news/belgian-racing-pigeon-fetches-record-price-1-9-million-n1247858

Edward, Here are some good tips from Jean (ROKUJURO) regarding taking photos: Ray ******************************************************************** Hi Ray, making good photos of swords isn't difficult, but some practice will help. Try to post images that are: - well focused, not foggy or blurry - made with a dark/black, non-reflective background for good contrast (not white!) - made in a dark room, using spotlights - made with light from the side (may not apply for HAMON photos) - made directly from above (not at an angle) - made with correct orientation (straight vertically tip-upwards, especially NAKAGO photos) - without HABAKI, showing the MACHI and NAKAGO JIRI - made in high resolution to see details like BOSHI, HAMACHI, HAMON, HADA, NAKAGO JIRI etc. - presented as cut-outs so very little background is showing It does not depend on a precious camera or on special skills, but mainly on observing the results. Only really good photos will allow us to help! Kind regards, Jean

The prize seems to be a well-made blade. Curious as to who the smith might have been.....

That's a good question, Thomas. I also have a group photo of the kendo club members and officials. My father won the tournament shown here:

I had to use my cell phone instead of the camera to get close enough for these pics. So the photos are segments of side1 and side2 of the saya.......Hope this helps.

I will work on better photos, Jean.

Yes. This was presented in Hawaii by the Honganji. So as a territory of the USA, I don't think they would have used the Showa 12.

This writing is faded but hopefully readable enough to get a good translation. Planning to have the writing restored.

Fyi, to those who are following this thread. Here is the Kiyondo blade finally back from full restoration and shinsa with sayagaki added. This was a lengthy project due to COVID in between. Thanks to Bob Benson and Nick Benson for their fine work.

Never NEVER trust Ai for something like this. Especially to make a purchase.

What's the price?

Okay, Bruce. I understand what you are getting at now. Thanks.

So, am I understanding that you don't believe the seller's description Bruce? "This is a genuine WWII-era exterior mount (koshirae) of the Type 98 Gunto, the standard sword issued to Imperial Japanese Army officers. The blade is a non-sharpened wooden substitute, likely inserted after the war to avoid confiscation during the Allied sword collection." This seems plausible to me. Why would a post-war, confiscation-era tsunagi be dated?