radicalrad

Thanks for the great feedback everyone! I understand that my budget range is asking for trouble it seems, so I'll heed your advice and hold off. I'm getting ready to board my flight, hote everyone has a good weekend! --Conrad

Hi all! I'm completely new to all this, but I've been trying to brush up on the basics before I leave for Tokyo tomorrow. I have 3 swords on hold with Aoi Art Japan but I would greatly appreciate any feedback you have on the following 3 wakizashi (save me from stupidity please/thanks!). The listings in level of interest are: Cane Sword (O-wakizashi, late Muromachi era) (link) I'm happy with the "naked" scabbard for the time being, I'd probably not use the lacquer "cane" housing very often (obviously wouldn't throw it away or anything). In the future I'd like to make this a project sword and mount it more like a battlefield or formal sword. I love the hada (grain) on this and I prefer the straight hamon I prefer the smaller sori/curve aesthetically, but I don't know if it's a detractor for the average collector that I might sell to in the way far-off future. The signature isn't confirmed and it doesn't have any grading papers/origami, so I'm worried about that a little. If it really is late Muromachi era though, it's the oldest sword in the group and that's kinda cool from an antique/history perspective. Standard Wakizashi (Late Edo era) (link) I like that this one has a consistent motif (lobsters) with the exception of the tsuba (easily replaced). The ridged saya is kinda unique and looks like it's in good shape. Probably has my 2nd-favorite hada/grain of the group. They rayskin and wrap look like they're in great shape. It's the most-recently made sword which is a little less interesting to me. Wakizashi with Kogatana (Early Edo era) (link) It's the only sword with an accompanying Kogatana, which is unique. All the decorative metalwork looks good. The rayskin looks like it's drying out and separating, but it has nice color. I'm not really a fan of the saya, but it looks like it's in decent condition and pretty understated/muted. It's a little older than the #2 sword, but doesn't look as good in my opinion.