Surfson

It looks like a Kaiken (or kwaiken) that serves as a ladies dagger. They may have given it to her to protect herself from the family's grandfather. 😉 It looks very nice and seems well worth restoring to me.

I would like to add my voice to those expressing the sadness about Paul's passing. He was always generous with thoughts and ideas with me, and was clearly a student of the sword and a real connoisseur. He will be missed greatly. Peter did a good job describing some of the important work that Paul did for all of us. RIP

Just skimmed this thread. I have a blade by this guy, and Darcy has one on his site Yuhindo. Both mine and his are signed Nagatsuna. The jiri looks different on yours to my eye. Are you sure that Hirotsuna is the same as Nagatsuna? https://yuhindo.com/tsunbo-nagatsuna-katana/

I agree with the idea of returning it. If that is polished, it will likely unroof that blister and it will turn into a large ugly area of core steel.

Sorry Stephen, the auction ended and the listing is gone. I did check it after it ended though and it sold for around $9000, even though it was out of polish.

Those are nice swords! Daniel, have you sold swords on consignment with that shop before? Do you mind telling me what the commission charge is? I have wondered about selling some of my better swords in Japan but haven't had a clue how to approach the problem. Cheers, Bob

Do you think that those diamonds are flowers John?

Strangely, the sword that is shown is being sold in another auction. I think that it is up to around $8000 now. It would be nice if they stayed together.

Maybe you just have good taste Stephen!

It looks like a legitimate samurai sword, Lee. It looks like it was once longer and was probably cut down. Since it only has one hole in the tang, it was either much longer or just trimmed a bit on the end. My guess is that it was made before 1590. Please don't make any attempts at cleaning or restoration, as it is easy to ruin one of these blades. Congratulations on a good find!

Interesting. That, apparently, means "half moon".

Thanks guys. I had assumed that it is a "mikazuki"（三日月) or "third day moon". The significance of this is that it specifically represents a crescent moon, which comes on the third day of the lunar month (preferably for swords in August). This theme often pops up. The famous Sanjo Munechika blade is often called "Mikazuki Munechika" because it has uchinoke, which is a hamon feature that looks like a crescent moon (see Markus Sessko's blog on this: https://markussesko.com/2015/05/29/kantei-3-hamon-boshi-1/). Occasionally, makers will carve a mikazuki in the tang of their swords. I happen to have one of these made by Taikei Naotane that has been discussed on NMB in the past. What I don't know, and hope that somebody can tell us, is why the crescent moon has significance to the Japanese?

And the dark side of the moon.... or is that a boat?

Don't have it in hand yet, and there are no papers. I have a guess what school it is based on a previous acquisition. Any and all thoughts as to the school or maker will be greatly appreciated! Cheers, Bob

Sounds like you got lucky, or maybe better put that you avoided getting unlucky. If facing this again, it is best to maintain that the same is "shark's skin".

I'm in the camp of real blade with bad polish and put together mounts. I don't think it's Bizen though, mostly because the end of the tang looks more like Kaga or another school. Bizen tangs usually don't taper and have a fairly round end.

I like these tsuba. Is he in the Bushu Ito school?

I agree with Stephen. I have never seen an NCO with a hand made blade, let alone an ancestral blade.

By the way Christian, I ended up watching that video. It's an amazing art! Thanks for posting.

Interesting possibility. That blade is straight though.

Depending on the kanji, does ryujin mean dragon person? Perhaps appropriate....

Sorry I missed that auction. Perhaps understandably, it is rare that auctions get posted here before they occur!

Fred Lohman is where I would turn.

This example does look utilitarian Dick. I wonder whether cutting bonsai might be better done with small serrations on the blades? Thanks for the addition to the Kubikiri collection.

I have certainly had my share of big auction disappointments. Even worse than missing out is paying a large sum for what turns out to be a real dog when it gets to you. On the other hand.........They can often be thrilling. It's a small thing, but I put in a 10,000 yen bid on a nice kozuka that just looks like it needs a good cleaning. It included a rusty kokatana that may be restorable or may not. I ended up with it for 5,000 yen. I'm pretty sure it's going to be a beauty.