Paz

Sorry Rivkin where did you get this information from ? ( I'm not doubting it). When you say upgrade the blades they have, do you mean have them polished ect and then sign the blade. So we could have a shinshinto or edo sword, which has been mumei. And then upgraded and given a signiture of a smith of that time ?. On another note. Kiyomaro and kiyomondo, naotane are quite common in gimei from early meiji. But I agree with alot that's being said. You have gimei swords which could be much higher in value due to the smithing quality, if a signiture is removed. And then you have to understand, that a part of the swords history as also gone. I have seen some gimei swords sold for around 2.4k to less, even though the sword quality itself is superior to some papered swords 3 to 4k upwards. Of course you also have to pay for shinsa which price is taken into account. Regards

Jean i beleive kajihei was another during the late shinshinto.

Thank you. So if the sword is presented to NBTHK, can they reccomend to remove the signiture? And then bring it back to judge. Or is this usually done before it's given to nbthk. Regards Paz

Hi all haven't posted in some time. I wanted to get a discussion going on gimei blades which are of high quality. There are swords which have been made by top quality smiths, but signed under a different name ie the signature of a top smith who lived before and died. Some of these swords are higher quality than made by genuine smiths. So the question is why don't the NBTHK give value to the sword itself, rather than the signature. Ie why don't they actually determine who made the sword and give it an appraisal based on the work itself even if it is gimei. I mean would they pink slip a sword made by masamune, but on a strange day he decided to sign it Norishige or kunimitsu? Thus gimei. Some swords were made as gifts and the would be buyer would purposely want a gimei signature? What we have are gimei swords which are of top quality, but low value because of the signature. Just a thought. Regards Paz

Was there any good deals ?

I doubt this will all go on auction at once. I beleive people will see what he has, and then value it.

I find it illogical that mass produced blades were meant for only one battle. And this seems to be an error on whoever wrote that. These were made for battle, and made to last. These do not mean they lacked quality or any appreciation values. There is no evidence of this in any of the leading books on nihonto. These swords as most of us know have lasted well into our modern times and still can fetch high value depending on the school, quality ect. Even mass produced Chinese katana in recent years have made swords which are of good quality in the same production line with swords of inconsistencies and faults. I will always judge the blade by its individual merit than grouping it together as "oh mass produced during the sengoku jiadai". I have seen many quality works from this era mass produced era. Ie bizen osafune. Kind regards Paz

I am very new to tsuba, literally don't know much. So any possible date or guess ? Thanks

Hi @Ray Singer here's the other side. And the whole tsuba. Kind regards Paz

Hi @Ray Singerthis is the other side. I can't see any other text on the other side. Except what I see. Thanks Paz

Hi @Ray Singernothing from what I can see. But the sword is a ko uda Tokubetsu Hozon. But I don't know about the koshiare. The saya is new. Tsuka is new aswell. So this isn't chinese fake tsuba ? Thanks

Hi please see photos attached. Is anybody able to make out the translation?. Is this tsuba old or new ? Or just a replica. Thanks

@Matsunoki I've had to give the exact date on 2 swords that arrived via a form. Ie 1600 or 1500 ect. Doesant have to be exact but rough dating. @Shugyosha Lol also a member and hope to see you on a zoom conference or maybe at an event. Regards Paz

@paulb Paul as a fellow member of the society am i able to loan you a sword for study ? As im struggling myself to determine its nature. Thanks Regards Paz

Hi Jon as mentioned above it's a lottery. If you have a martial arts license or practice iaido then the odds are better. Otherwise you need to make sure that the parcel has all the correct info. Even then border force can seize it and ask you for more information via restoration request. But it is legal to import Japanese swords provided they are antiques or handmade using traditional methods. Or you have a martial arts licence. I've been fine for the 3 swords I did mange import. And issues in others. Your best bet is to go to the arms fair in Birmingham. Again as mentioned its a small circle, and you will have to meet people. The other place is lanes armoury in brighton who have a big shop. And another in the uk down south. Regards Paz

Thanks both for the information Regards Paz

Does anyone have any knowledge of any poems dedicated to the sword? Preferably from ancient times. I remember reading a poem by nakamura taisubro in his book the Japanese sword. But since lost it. I would like a poem. Preferably to practice my calligraphy and sayagaki Regards Paz

Hi all I've read some articles on this particular school. I understand they worked in the early Kamakura late heian. My question is who did they make swords for ? Samurai or sohei warrior monks ? As I've been told that the smiths were monks themselves. I gather these were probably made for the Genpei wars and after. I read one article saying that these were found in the possession of Lords. Is there any truth to this ? Thanks. Regards Paz

Thanks Matt. I could well have a kajihei sword. It seems to match the timeline and read seskos article on him. Very interesting indeed. Regards Paz

Well funny enough it's a kiyondo (Kiyomaro student) gimei blade that I'm researching. It's 75cm sword which doesn't have a shallow sori, and has soshu characteristics. Any more information on my second question will be grateful. Did it matter if gimei was done during the time or after a smith who was being impersonated. Thanks

Hi all just a couple questions. 1. Does anybody have a list or know any smiths or schools that worked in the soshu tradition/ made soshu style swords during the late shinshinto period ? 2. Was Gimei performed on a sword after the real smiths death or while he was still alive or didn't matter. Thanks Kind regards Paz

@Ghoul414 Np I think this is where books are in handy. This is one of the only hobbies I know where books are a literal must have. I was at the Birmingham arms fair recently and nearly everyone who was selling Nihonto had some book reference be it sesko or other. This is where you really get to know what sword you really have and how much it is worth. Any sword I'm interested in requires me to go straight to Internet or books. The book I recommend highly is nagayama kokan conissour of the Japanese sword. If you can find it it's worth the hundred bucks. Otherwise amazon could be a good starting point with some decent stuff. What you will soon realize is that sword with papers NBTHK Hozon ect would fetch higher prices because they have been attributed and authenticated. Hope that helps. Kind regards Paz

So from observation yes these are genuine. Polish is needed slightly but not a major problem. I can see ubu nakago without a signature, unless the sword was a muromachi mass produced blade from mino. But for 900 quid not bad. Koshiare aswell. Regards Paz

I personally avoid ebay. The best you can do is depends where you live and go to some shows or fairs. The best thing to do with 600 bucks is buy books. But I understand some people want a work in hand before books. Buy books, learn. And then get something worth it.