Franco D

My first experience with nihonto came when I attended a gun show in search of an iai blade for practice. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending upon the perspective, I came across a Japanese Sword Study Group table where it quickly became evident that I had no idea of what a nihonto was or what I was doing. On the fortunate side of things this short overly enthusiastic Chinese man behind the table talked me into buying my first book (The Japanese Sword, by Sato), and then talked me into attending the sword study meeting that evening. A kantei venue where I got to see five quality swords in full polish. That was it, there was no going back, study, study, study, to make a long story short. Train your own eye, begin to learn the knowledge for yourself. It will be challenging every step of the way. The path becomes smoother and less intimidating with practice. Regards

Take this as a lesson of how much there is still ahead of you to learn. Try not to repeat the same lesson/s. If serious about collecting and study of nihonto join a study group, attend shows, build a library. Even the most experienced nihonto collectors will make mistakes. It's never easy. Regards "Don't mistake temptation for opportunity" "Desire is the cause of suffering"

After more than 30 years of collecting nihonto I find myself still wondering how to collect tsuba, too. A place to begin ... https://shibuiswords.com/ Regards

Please read the many posts about how to properly clean swords if you haven't already. You can find them using the search feature on this website. Regards

Flaws within the hamon should be considered there to stay. Regards

https://japaneseswor...ema-tanobe-sayagaki/

Yes, modern.

https://www.Japanese-swords.com/

Enjoy it as is and leave a note for the next caretaker. Regards

When a sword has been damaged, such as a broken tip as is the case here, should it be decided to restore such a blade it is important to find a polisher with excellent foundation polishing skills and ability. As the entire area that makes up the kissaki will have to be reshaped. Anything less will be spotted by a good eye searching for a collectible sword such as this one in the future. Regards

Yes, in plain English, unless someone fully understands what it is that they are looking at, even in hand, a big budget could result in only making a more expensive mistake. Yes, this applies shopping at the Juyo level too. When it comes to nihonto what you don't know is often more important than what you think you know. When Japanese say that kantei is the foundation for nihonto appreciation, do you understand and know what that means? Regards

It often works out that the Japanese sword one collects regardless of budget ends up in some way reflecting the level of knowledge of that collector. That may be, at least in part, what is meant when you hear the adage of "it's the sword that finds the owner." Regards

Unless a sword be it katana or wakizashi meets or exceeds NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon standards/requirements it becomes difficult to justify restoration, imho. This doesn't necessarily mean that a Hozon level sword is not worthy of restoration. It just means, in either case, the sword had better be a pretty darn good sword to begin with (meaning excellent work by a highly rated smith). Collecting nihonto requires hours and hours of study and experience, especially when it comes to old mumei swords. And even then there may be disappointment. So, here's a place to begin, lots of luck ... https://nihontocraft...hinsa_Standards.html Regards

A few thoughts since you are considering a full restoration. It would be wise to have the sword papered first to ensure that everything is proper before having this sword polished. Then, use this time waiting for a shinsa to both research which polisher to choose and reserve a spot with that polisher. You can "search" here on NMB for previous threads for names of recommended polishers. Generally, the polisher will line up a habaki and shirasaya maker as part of the process. Not all polishers are equal, so choose wisely. Regards

Thinking aloud. This sword could be pushing early Shinto based upon shape. Perhaps, even Momoyama. Earlier, hmm. Boshi, more Shinto-ish. Do we see hints of Yakidashi on the ura? Polish, color of jitetsu, sure looks Shinto-ish. Kantei based upon images is always a risk.

As with nihonto the cost of restoration vs value becomes a factor in restoring fittings. Regards

Well then, the patina would make the nakago older than the rest of the sword. Unfortunately it doesn't work that way. Sorry, no. You might try asking in the translation forum for a translation of the sayagaki. Regards

For clarification/explanation, my bad. Yes, you are not oiling your fittings. Sword oil is used during the process of arresting the verdigris. In the end, when satisfied that the verdigris is completely gone and not coming back, I clean the final surface with the alcohol. Regards

Shinto is probably the correct time frame. Regards

Could we please see the boshi and area of the hamachi? Thank you. Regards

If possible it would be nice to see closer/better images of the kissaki/boshi and this area of small kizu? Asking because otherwise this looks like a fairly healthy blade. Thanks. Regards

The problem here is oiling and toothbrushing while possibly removing some of the verdigris may not solve the problem nor achieve the result desired. The kashira shows signs (at least to me) of having been exposed and damaged by something chemically corrosive. It needs more attention than simple cleaning, like professional help. The shitadome on the kashira look embedded with verdigris. Proper cleaning will require removing them for cleaning. Unless all of the green is removed and properly treated there will be a good chance that over time it will come back. Getting oil and/or water on and soaked into the ito during the cleaning process may only make the problems become worse. While the fuchi/kashira may be Nara school fittings, the damaged kashira may bring the effort to save them into question. Since the fuchi is apart it can be cleaned. I would begin by using a soft wooden toothpick to very gently scrape and loosen the verdigris. Then, using a soft cotton Q-tip dipped in anti-hydrous isopropyl alcohol wipe away the loosened verdigris. Repeat that process until gone. The, once you're convinced the surface is clean, again, using a soft tipped Q-tip apply a thin film of good neutral light sword oil. It is always wise to do a test spot somewhere inconspicuous to be sure what you're applying is safe and is not doing any harm. p.s. change soiled Q-tips, do not reuse once soiled. On a personal note, it looks to me as if this entire tsuka and wrap needs to be redone. Regards

No! Vinegar is acidic and that should definitely not be used. Because these are mounted fittings I would consult with a professional first before attempting to clean these. Loose fittings are a different story. Regards

Chu kissaki is sometimes described as being elongated. Based upon the image that appears to be the case here. Regards

Study, build a library, when he feels there is nothing more to learn from this sword, then, if he chooses, he can move on. Regards p.s. Although I did not really get to know him well before he died, Allan H. Pressley is where my path to learning nihonto began more than thirty years ago. Chicago was the first show I attended.