Winchester

I am a not an expert so take my opinion with a grain of salt. I have two signed Ietsugu katanas; one is by the father first of that name who was active in 1469-1487. Hawley rating of 20. His son was active in 1487-1489, rating of 30. None of the signatures I have which are papered or the ones I found online look like your example; just my observation.

OP, don't be too hard on yourself. This hobby takes a tremendous amount of study in my opinion. I am also a new collector...been collecting for about a year and a half and try to read on the subject daily. I am just barely scratching the surface with an hour or two a day on average. As someone else mentioned, I have found the resources here and on dealers websites to be extremely valuable. I haven't started my book collection on this topic yet--which I admit is a flaw in my approach--and that is likely where you and I will get a lot of mileage. Good luck and enjoy each moment.

I appreciate it Ray and will buy from you, just waiting for the one that talks to. me. What range on the year? I think its 1400's..........

I apologize in advance, I forgot what these papers stated and cannot find my notes. Please reference the attached; paid $6K USD for the blade. I will make a donation to the forum in August, upon receiving advice as a way to pay it forward as the saying goes.

Makes sense, Rivkin. I was just curious. All of the replies have been very helpful--thanks, everyone.

As the title suggests, I am wondering where people buy higher-end nihonto. Thinking or tire-kicking a spend over $10K. Where do you shop?

Thanks for your feedback and I look forward to other opinions as well. What do you suppose value to be?

Thank you in advance for your feedback and expert commentary. I really have no clue what the value is. I like it a lot.

And a few more photos.

Here are some more photos.

Friends, I am hopeful you can help this new collector. I have a friend who is offering me this tanto for sale. It is mumei; sorry for the confusion. The quality seems to be exceptional. Do you have a sense of the value? We are trying to determine a fair price and I have no clue, neither does he. Any additional information? The thought was it may be Osoraku. Edit: IT IS MUMEI SORRY FOR MISTAKE. More pictures to follow. Thanks for your help.

I am a new collector, but I really like it. Thanks for sharing.

Happy for you!!!! Enjoy!

My mistake, sorry it has been a busy week. I will send you a private message momentarily.

Has the nakago been polished? Feel free to PM me. Thanks in advance. Edit: Sorry please disregard due to item location. Being new to the hobby, I am presently only buying within US.

When I am feeling better, I will try to get more high-resolution photos. I really tried to do different angles and such without a light box and additional lighting, but see now that I will need to. I just plain like it so it is more an intellectual pursuit, as usual, versus trying to make money or something. To me, it is beautiful, not a reproduction and I am honored to own it.

Jean, can you click on the above image and magnify? This is the clearest I have been able to get.

Here are a couple more pictures of the signature; should this not allow for an answer, I will put in a photo box and add additional lighting. Thank you in advance, I really appreciate it and will make a donation to the forum for identification. I am trying to catch the light, just right, so I don't have to bring out the light box and specialized lighting.

Would it help if I tried to get better close up pictures of the signature?

Jumonji Yari is really nice. I didn't pick it up and handle, but was 'tire kicking' a purchase a few times through. Glad you got it!

I think it is really cool or nice. Thank you for sharing

Should it be worth considerable more then I paid, I have his business card and will give him a few more dollars and this forum to say thanks.

Just noticed eyes on both sides have a dot of gold...

Just realized the reverse side is signed.......I honestly just bought it fairly quick and did not inspect to close owing to price and having bought other pieces from the seller at the show. Struck me as a very stand-up guy or honest. I just like dragons in fittings is why I bought it. In trying to take better photos now, I realized it is signed. Translation help and year would be great. I was just having fun, really and learning.