Franco

Looks to be Edo period based on shape. Can't tell much else through the steel wool polish. Don't mess with the patina on the nakago. You can research the shape of nakago-jiri to narrow down tradition/school possibilities. That ware at the edge of the hamon could be the reason this sword is not signed. Regards

Based on the verbal description posted in the above comment what is being described is an early Muromachi Bingo Mihara sword. Which can be a very nice sword with much to appreciate. However, written above we have "A Mid Muromachi Period" vs an "Early Muromachi Period Bingo Mihara School." Which are not the same. Which is it? Plus, no description of boshi and turnback? Shape wise to my eye this is not early. Buy what you like, but know what you're buying. Return policy? Regards

Greatly appreciated! Thank you. Regards

Jacques, 1. I would love to cite the source placing the use of "core steel" in the late Heian period. However; A. the computer with that information is now gone, and, B. that, along with almost half of my nihonto library including the copy of the magazine article about the use of core steel in the Heian period is now gone as well after having retired from collecting and downsized. 3. I can't recall the name of the sword forum where the conversation took place about when the use of core steel began other than remembering it had an affiliation with Guido Schiller, and the conversation was with someone from Italy, perhaps with a Carlo T., if memory serves. If the website still exists perhaps the conversation could be tracked down. I can't even remember my sign in name any longer. 4. Regardless, we're not going to get a more reliable source than the Japanese polisher who told me he polished a sword from the 1100's that had what he termed as a ladder type construction showing when asked what the earliest sword was he had seen with core steel showing. None the less, I will continue searching for answers. https://markussesko....i-2-jigane-jihada-1/ Regards

Careful about making blanket statements, "only", Jacques, especially when it comes to nihonto. Something I try to remind myself of all of the time. While I'm working from memory here, I've had this conversation before on another forum. Guido Schiller's??? It appears that shintetsu was first used at least as early as the late Heian period. In fact, one polisher I spoke with told me there was core steel showing on a sword he polished from the 1100's. Fyi, another post that may be of interest here ... Keith Larman https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/1695-how-many-polishes/#comment-13014 Regards

Excellent wakizashi with a beautifully cut mei! Link works fine. Regards

New shirasaya to protect this new polish? New habaki? Careful, while newly polished blades need to be kept oiled, excess oil might soak into the saya. Are you following care instructions from the polisher? Interesting hamon. Regards

Welcome. Would love to see additional images of the entire blade if possible? Thank you. Regards

Based on these images I'm not seeing 3rd generation Kanemoto, more likely 4th. Perhaps the NTHK will be more generous. Thanks for sharing! Regards

A complete translation here might reveal otherwise. However, Mr. Tanobe's sayagaki does not always mention utsuri even when it is present. Regards

(Fujiwara Nobuyoshi) Shinto period yakidashi . More of a Koto period yakidashi . Same sword smith? Long life span? Two different smiths? True. Regards

You are entitled to believe what you wish. When the NBTHK papers a mumei sword to let's say a Bungo Fujiwara Takada they are saying that it is a Shinto sword. In the case of a mumei Bungo sword from the Koto period the NBTHK would say Taira Takada. Show me otherwise and I'll reconsider. Regards

Lots to research https://search.yahoo...kuni+junin+Hiromitsu Regards

Just to be clear what brought the subject of tsukare utsuri to mind was the image Bjorn Lundin posted. Nothing to do with your sword. Regards

Much better images! Questions answered. Thank you Regards

Curious how these conclusions were reached especially when these menuki are under wrap? Regards

The NBTHK uses "Fujiwara" in its origami as an indication of a Shinto period sword. https://sword-auctio...i-nbthk-hozon-token/

I no longer have Fujishiro or Hawley's. However, checking two other references, Sesko and Sho-shin, that rating is not mentioned/listed. The point here is to know/research the answer to all of the questions concerning the quality and facts of a blade before buying a sword. Does the sword fulfill all of your collecting objectives? Objectives must be measurable and repeatable. Regards

Solid gold. Have these been tested? Earlier generation Goto. Earlier as in who/what generation? Thank you. Regards

I could be mistaken but am not seeing that he is a rated smith. Old, new, Hozon paper is fine. Just understand why. The reason could be as simple as being a mei verification and nothing more. But, then again. Regards

Antai is a very thin dark line, a border, which runs just above the hamon/habuchi. In fact it outlines the hamon/habuchi. It is only millimeters wide, 1 to 1.5, perhaps 2 mm at most. Utsuri begins above the Antai. I do not see utsuri in the image above. Yamanaka describes one type of utsuri, the name (???) slips my mind at this time, where tired over polished steal on nihonto can be mistaken for utsuri. Regards

A signed Muromachi period sword should be Tokubetsu Hozon. It would be wise to understand all of the reasons why this sword is only Hozon. Jyo Jyo saku and you couldn't find much on this smith, hmm. While I haven't researched the reasons why, something doesn't add up. Collect what you like, but know what you're collecting. This requires hours of study backed by a solid library. Regards

Hmm, the end seam on the shirasaya sticks out like a sore thumb.

The tanto was attributed to Ko Uda. This blade was excellent and unlike any other Ko Uda I've ever seen. Regards