Niall

Having a look just now and trying to manipulate the light to see clearer, It doesn't look like the hamon runs off of the edge of the kissaki before getting to the tip. I can't be 100% sure though as it gets fine and the polish is a little smudgy in places.

As per the first post, thank you all very much for your welcome and comments - it's amazing to tap into the wealth of knowledge and experience from all corners of the world which has shed a great deal of light on these two swords for me more than I've been able to deduce since I've had them for the last 4 weeks. I never considered that this could have been a shortened katana, or that the file markings were more than a little different from the norm (though I did think they were messy in comparison with pics of other tangs). I've attached some more pics for further reference. I've also provided a few more pics of both the kissaki and the fittings. I had a google of ichimai and am pretty sure I understand what you mean, Shugyosha. With regard to the fittings, the pics make them look a little more faded than they actually are. Landscape scene of thatched-roof farmhouse. Quite appropriate as we stayed in one in Shirakawa-go at the start of the year. Happy to declare the price I paid: $700 AUD for the one in the shirasaya and $1000 for the other. Regardless of whether fair or folly, I'm happy with them both. I'm incredulous and respectful of the potential age and history, the skill in how they are made; and further that it's tactile. In full agreeance re-polishing. Thank you all again with the comments! My wife is enjoying making fun of my new found passion (laughs every time she see's me looking at them or reading about it all), but at least I've cooled off on the motorbikes, cars and whiskey-collection side of things for the time being : )

Thank you all very much for the comments - Francois and Oshy now that it has been pointed out I do see a difference in the shape of tip in comparison to the other...more elongated? I've attached a few extra pics of the tip just in case that further identifies it for certain. Very difficult to take good pictures. Gerant, Bruce and Dave, no clove oil for me so I haven't taken up the sniffing addiction yet. Watch this space! Thanks Surfson, especially buying at auction sight unseen with low resolution pics really made it almost a lucky dip. There was a couple of indicators that made me decide to bid, and I'm fortunate that they've turned out to be the real thing.

Revised length approx. 46 cms.

Haha thank you for your reply and diagnosis of my future condition...I'm afraid you might very well be correct - I'm trying resist (staunchly thus far) any more purchases in the near future. Ha and thanks for pointing out my folly in measurement! To answer regarding the boshi, yes it is intact (had to google) : ) The habaki is firmly in place and immovable unfortunately.

...following on from the first post. The second wakizashi blade is also in very average condition. It measures 57 cms long and has a width of 2.5 cms. There is no writing on either side of the tang. The blade fits the saya very well. Again, respectfully seeking any comment or observation on both wakizashi. In a perfect world I'd have both professionally polished - I'm one to do things the right way and understand that means from $2000 + per blade. I don't see myself getting this performed unless the blades were worth it. I'm across care and maintenance of the swords and have oiled both. Anyway, thank you very much for reading. Kind regards, Niall

Hello all, It's my first post here so I'll kill two birds with one stone by way of introduction and post. My name is Niall, resident of Canberra in Australia. My wife and I have been to Japan for holiday quite a few times - obvious attractions are the food, scenery and culture. We last got back earlier this year in March, right at the very inception of COVID...probably the last international travel we'll do for while, like the rest of the world. Anyway, I'm not a knife/sword enthusiast by any stretch of the imagination, but like any red-blooded male find them interesting. My interest in Japanese swords probably began back in 2013 when I saw a real one in the flesh at a museum in Japan. I was quite taken by the quality of workmanship for something so old. I never really entertained the idea of owning one until I saw one for sale at auction. I didn't bid as I had no idea as to worth/quality/real or fake....so read up quite a bit since then to educate myself....inclusive of posts on this site. Cutting to the chase, I bid on and won two wakizashi at an online deceased estate auction in Melbourne last month, and thought I'd post here to provoke any comment or observations from members. Given that I don't want to add to many pictures on one post, I thought I'd make two posts - one for each sword. The first one is in a shirasaya. I'm aware (believe) the writing on the shirasaya says "Kanemoto a resident of Noshu". The tang is very rust worn with the writing very difficult to see. There is no writing on the other side of the tang. File marks on both sides are almost non-existent to the eye. I understand the blade is probably in quite average condition. The blade fits the shirasaya well. The blade measures 57 cms, and is 2.2 cms in width. Happy to post any other pics with detail as requested, and curious to receive any comment or observation on the sword. I'll post the next sword in the second post...