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Hi Charlie, This forum is dedicated to the study and preservation of genuine Japanese swords and fittings. For that reason, not many of us actually use our swords for martial arts. I am going to move your thread to the "General Nihonto related discussion" section, in hopes to get more eyes on your question, and maybe find someone with more info. All the best, and welcome to the forum! Cheers, -Sam

Thank you Thomas! That’s what I thought, but wanted to be sure I wouldn’t be stepping on any toes. It will probably take some time to establish a solid base of members, but I will encourage people to sign up for the NCJSC for your awesome newsletters - and zoom meetings. Thanks for the info! All the best, -Sam

The fact that swords exist with KOKUIN and also inspection stamps, implies to me, that swords with a hot stamp could be either SHOWATO or GENDAITO. My Osawa Kanehisa for example, also had a SEKI stamp. Notably, ASANO KANESANE and his company are believed to stamp his kokuin on both traditional and non traditional swords. https://www.japaneseswordindex.com/kanezane.htm Other interpretations may vary... -Sam

Is there any problem with me using "Token Kai" in the club name? I see most clubs use it, and if it's a deeper intertwined organization that I'm not aware of, I wouldn't want to assume the same wording without permission. What's your thoughts @Toryu2020 ? For example: PNW Token Kai Home of the Rain Dragons

Unfortunately I have to agree with Conway. Below is a link with some helpful tools to spot fakes. I think it’s trying to be some type of gunto. I’ve seen nearly identical versions over the years, and I suspect they were made to deceive. Sorry for the bad news, -Sam https://www.jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html

It's my understanding that ato-bori bo-hi is typically done to hide flaws; but can also potentially expose deeper flaws like fukure and ware. Might sound aesthetically pleasing, but the risk may not be worth the reward. To each their own of course. -Sam

Hi Bruce, After going through my Fuller and Gregory books and also Dawsons cyclopedia, I did not find anything that matches in a satisfying way. I searched the diplomat sections and beyond. The emblem itself reminds me most of the emblems found on police badges. See the first two color photos below from Dawsons. Third and fourth black and white photo, is an unusual item listed in Fuller and Gregory military and civil swords and dirks. Still, nothing quite fits… All the best, -Sam Dawsons: Fuller and Gregory:

I am still not qualified to determine if it's cast or not, especially from photos - but some of those blue circles appear to be depicting how bamboo looks when a branch sprouts from a node. Which could be interpreted as an extra level of detail rather than a casting flaw. -Sam

Away from my books until after work, but I'll comb through them when I get home in about 6 hours. Maybe someone will beat me to the punch before then Interesting emblem! Especially interesting it's repeated on the buckle. I share your fears of a fake, I don't like the way the fit of that fuchi looks... Can't say I recognize it, but I often forget more than I remember -Sam

Hi Tristan, Your photos are good for identification, and thank you for sharing your sword with us! Unfortunately, there's no signature or stamps to make ID easier. You sword appears to be a wartime manufacture Type 98 ShinGunto with leather saya cover. I suspect it's a non-traditionally made SHOWATO rather than a traditionally made GENDAITO. Seki made is believable, to me. The tang (nakago) is original length (UBU), and it's unsigned (mumei). Hopefully more people render their opinions to confirm or deny my suspicions. Interested to hear what others think, -Sam

It’s a good question, and the rectangular nakago ana raises more questions. My first impression was that it was hand forged. After reading others opinions I’m not so sure now. A part of the reason I want to keep my tsuba collection minimal is because I’m often reminded how little I know about tsuba All the best, -Sam

Just a collector of stuff that I like. Trying to keep my Tosogu collection very minimal at the moment. Lets not derail this thread

Dan, please consider the possibility that the date on the tsuba is not honest - especially likely if it happens to be cast.

Thanks Chandler! Next time you're around, let me know and I'll treat you to lunch! I will soon be looking for images for the club website. If anyone has any high definition images/photographs of their collection, I'd love to include them! I am particularly interested in rain dragon depictions on tosogu and also anything with rain, mountains, or nature themes. I'd rather use images that were donated to me for the site, rather than pulling them from random places on the internet. If anyone has any good ones, please PM me! All the best, -Sam

Recently a video was shared by @Lewis B, that shows a modern swordsmith using pieces of broken old blades in his smithing. Timestamp @ 11:15 you can see that part https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/51569-another-fascinating-and-informative-hok-video-on-nihonto-blade-making/#comment-538926

Thank you David! I'll reach out in a while for some contacts. The hotel meeting room seems to be the most realistic option. I share your feelings toward facebook This project is still very much on my radar. Unfortunately I just entered the busy season at my work, so it's been slow-going. I hope to create a website, and reach out to local collectors before the end of the year. Hopefully sooner rather than later. Cheers, -Sam

I agree, I don't personally see evidence of suriage with the provided images. Looks a little machi-okuri, though. My kantei still needs some work, but your swords sugata and kissaki remind me a lot of a wakizashi that I have from around the early 1500s. My best guess would be Muromachi. All the best, -Sam

I like the strong box theory, as my first thought was the little strongbox on a lot of Japanese Tansu (Dansu?). The 'rivets' on each corner definitely scream metalworking, like George said. Reminds me a lot of the metal trim on these cabinets. Interesting design, and while it reminds me most of a Tansu, no image I can find fits in a satisfying way... Cheers, -Sam

A properly and well fitted Japanese sword will require no such things. Craftsmen make the fittings to fit perfectly. In battle, you wouldn’t want things slipping or rattling around, so the fit is important. With time and changes in humidity and climate, wooden components can shrink or swell. When this occurs, sometimes the paper shims helps the fit. Also, when people piece together swords from non original parts, sometimes you can find these types of things. Probably some other scenarios in play too, that I have not considered. Hope that makes sense. -Sam

Any of the dealers from this website are trustworthy, and have good authentic items. https://swordsofjapan.com/ is Ray's website. He's got some awesome swords on there. If I had that much to spend right now, I'd snag that Tokubetsu Hozon papered Ko-Naminohira. I still highly recommend doing some studying first though. And Colin's advice of going to shows is great! There is one comming up in Chicago, and also Orlando. Another in San Fransisco early August. http://www.chicagoswordshow.com/ https://orlandoswordshow.com/ http://www.ncjsc.org/SF_token_kai.htm All the best, -Sam Edit: Incase you attend a show, this is really important info: https://swordsofjapan.com/nihonto-library/nbthk-etiquette/

Agreed with Colin and Brian. It's a real nihonto... But I would heavily consider doing some research before spending 2k on a sword. You could buy this sword, and it will likely inspire a lot of research and learning for you, but after some time and some learning, you will likely become disappointed with it's current condition. For that money you could find a much better "starter" sword, in my opinion. I'd recommend buying the books: Connoisseur's book of Japanese swords by Nagayama Also good for beginners: The Japanese Sword by Kanzan Sato (this was the first book that I started with) Also, take a look at the forums awesome FAQ section, it's a great place to start: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/faq/ Great link for spotting fakes: https://www.jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html All the best and good luck, Welcome to the forum! -Sam

The lines are really straight and long. I’m inclined to agree with Thomas, that it’s something with the saya Could it simply be from improper drawing of the blade from the saya on its side? Rather than drawing it along the mune? The koiguchi wouldn’t necessarily show wear if it’s just being drawn for show and tell. -Sam

I think it says: Noshu Kanetoshi Saku Looks like a small braided strap affixed to a brass loop that has three braided strings to three braided orbs. I have also never seen anything like it, and I imagine it will be tricky to identify How strange! -Sam

Some of those premier auction houses bring crazy premium prices that would surprise most in the respective collecting community. Bonhams and Sotheby's not only draw in nihonto collectors, but also the ultra wealthy art collectors, who will pay big money for what they want. Like Lonely Planet says. Cheers, -Sam

Much appreciated Ray! The owner will be excited to have it translated. All the best, -Sam