Lewis B

Lovely sword Erik. Just shows what a little time researching, learning and reading can lead to. I would agree that Naoe Shizu lives in the shadow of some pretty big beasts in the Soshu den. Its founder Kaneuji is considered one Masamune's best students, so the DNA is strong. But as Ray says many achieve Juyo and for good reason. Exceptional jihada, powerful sugata, and varied hataraki. To my eye it seems to be a good choice for a first nihonto purchase. Thanks for sharing.

Yes I can see a very faint impression of the Mei in the closeup.

Did someone paint the nakago? That looks odd. And I'm not familiar with the older papers, but wouldn't the Mei be seen on the oshigata as I assume its produced by pencil rubbing?

If I ship a sword back to Japan for Juyo Shinsa next year I plan to use a specialist. It will mean a drive to Sweden which isn't too far from Northern Germany but for piece of mind I'm more than happy to pay extra for security back and forth and have them deal with the NBTHK submission process, registration in Japan etc.

Good question and not something I have an answer for. But Koto swordmakers often used folded (refined) Shingane steel for the core, so in theory I would expect this to have fewer kizu exposed when the bo-hi is cut.

High quality uchiko. The vendor at the Japan Art Expo in Utrecht was using some he said he got from a togishi in Japan. When I suggested that was frowned upon he said it was very high quality and cost $130. I saw him use it a couple of times on my blade and detected no ill effects. It was super fine judging by how the powder hung in the air. I doubt its to healthy breathe though. I would be wary of using the stuff thats commonly bundled in those cheap maintenance kits. Its a good lesson though of what can and does happen. I would recommend placing any swords in a secured location when guests are visiting or make it VERY clear the blades are sharp, valuable and not to be touched without supervision. In the USA the owner is opening themselves up for a lawsuit, so you're lucky they only caused a stain.

Delamination. What era is the sword from? Left hand image not too bad for a Koto blade but the fissure on the right is a big problem.

Not sure about electrolysis but lasers are being used with quite good results. I wouldn't suggest submitting a high value sword to this process but it could be a useful technique if applied by an experienced operator.

Really? I thought it was the swordsmiths artistic expression and/or a way reducing the weight of the blade.

He said it was a fibre, and the later pics show it's gone.

Thats a lot clearer. I'm assuming they are less than a cm at the widest point? To have 2 almost identical features like that does not suggest Fukure which would be random.

I think this is the area that needs clearer pics.

Thats a solid recommendation

Which school and era does this blade paper to (assuming its been through Shinsa)? Pretty sure the feature in the bi-hi is a kizu from forging. The black marks are likely some form of corrosion activity. Have they been there since you owned it or developed recently?

Excellent feedback and should provide useful intel for the trip to Japan I hope to take next year. Luckily I will have many days for sword shopping over the 4-5 weeks I will be there.

Did you meet Tsuruta-san? What was the overall experience at AOI like vs a more boutique retailer such as Yamashiroya?

Did they show you any of the good stuff?

Looks like a good first sword in decent polish. Regarding the attribution I would not consider anything written on the registration paper regarding Den or smith, as reliable. The NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper is what really matters. Did the blade come with sayagaki? Oei as stated in the brackets would put it in the early Muromachi era (1394-1428).

This was the listing. Big name, small price, which shouts red flags. I was really curious about the origami rather than the blade it purports to appraise. Appears these papers are being deliberately aged and given an artificial patina if they really only date to 1979. https://buyee.jp/ite...ottom_recommend_list

I've seen several styles of this origami format but I'm having a problem identifying this particular appraiser. Can anyone assist? Name and period the appraiser was working? Is it one of the Hon'ami clan? Are attributions of blades with this style of paper (from this appraiser) highly suspicious?

Hello Chris, What feature have you encircled in red in the top image?

Its the yellow paperwork in the yellow envelope shown in the top right corner of your first photo we would like to see.

Fully understandable decision and commendable your son wants to follow in your footsteps and carry on the tradition skills. Its the knowledge that you have acquired over many years of study, through trial and error and incremental improvements, listening, watching and learning that is so invaluable. I would hope all this knowledge is written down for posterity and study by future generations. Togishi, to which you alluded, are another group of skilled artisans that are slowly dwindling in number. Good luck to your 'apprentice'.

They all work OK for me. Nice swords for the money, especially that wakizashi.

I would be interested to know how to submit a sword for Juyo shinsa. As I understand it using a locally based intermediary would be required to complete all the necessary paperwork and registrations. Robert, please PM me with the details how the process works when based in Germany. If I proceed I will most likely submit in 2025.