Paz

I hope that goes through Jon. Did you have tons of paperwork to complete with it ?

Good news Tony. About the scrutiny.....does this mean there going to be more strict in general ? Even before seizure.

@Franco D I think another important aspect that your missing. Is that it depends on the level of your knowledge and understanding of these swords. As someone new to collecting it strikes me not surprisingly how unversed some dealers for example can be of papers. If your a new collector papers are important. Papers are what confirm that the sword is genuine. Signatures can and are faked in the nihonto world. Papers carry the weight. I've see enough documentaries and books which demonstrate how easily in Japan experts can identify a sword. There are kantei and shinsa competitions which can be viewed. They have years of experience and have seen more blades than we can dream of. Only at very advanced or high stages can someone be able to identify a blades smith or school. The age of the sword isn't as difficult due to shape an obvious feature. The other exciting aspect is that one who buys a paper sword should still do research on who the Smith was ect. This educates a collector with ease. However outside of Japan, only America I beleve has the luxury of viewing many different type of swords and schools due to a big inventory and various sword shows throughout the year. Some people like myself have to put our confidence in hozon papers. And I'd rather buy a papered blade than one that isn't. Even if it's signed. The risks are too high in the world of nihonto, especially with money and fakes. Only today I spoke to a millitria dealer who doesn't want to deal with nihonto at all. And he had a valid point that the subject is far too deep and broad, that buying is a risk. And would only take a nihonto for a week or more examination with several third parties before agreeing to sell on. I couldn't disagree with him. Regards

Who was selling it ? And for how much. This looks like a scam

I don't think he's purchased it by the looks of it. Lucky him

The hamon straight away made it obvious thats it something from the circus.

For the nakago I'd use soft tissue or even a non abrasive cloth. Maybe with isopropyl or none at all. I personally don't find the nakago a challenge to remove oil. Few people don't even oil the nakago. In koshiare unless you have a specially made cabinet or glass which can keep out moisture and maintain humidity levels. Some people use dehumidifier in glass cabinets to display. Has the blade been recently polished? Im gathering not . Then it should be fine it's original koshiare, newspapers can also be used for the blade until you get a shirasaya. I'm gathering the blade came in koshiare. So that's fine. The only time I think placing a blade into koshiare is an issue is when you have a newly polished blade which hasn't been in its original koshiare for a while, and dust , debris, are left in the saya. I never oil tsuba. Personally Yes I beleive few people here use isopropyl to remove oil with either microfiber or normal cloth. I personally use uchiko, as I have no problem with it. Everyone has their own way of doing so. The trick is not to over oil the blade, and remove excess with another wipe of tissue or cloth. This stops beading or oil stains. You get better as time goes on. Regards

Ouch. That's a lot. I personally wouldn't shinsa this particular blade for that much

Please Japan only if you want it polished. I have just seen somebody else's work on a koto and it's literally scratched to hell.

The blade in its koshiare is still a great showpiece. Still an authentic nihonto which matters.

@Mark S.thanks Mark! That gives me a much better outline. I will most likely keep it light and casual. Regards

Ah sorry gents. Yes this is mumei attributed to kanesaki, the dates are 1521-1528 from the sales card, and apologies i did post a translation request for this work few months back which ray answered. So my question stands would the format As attributed Smith Date Length Artist name Be fine ? Thanks

Hi all. I've got a professional calligraphy artist to do sayagaki for me and would like to confirm the formatting. So am I right in assuming that Swrdsmith name at top Era or date sword was made middle Followed by length of blade And can the calligraphy artist sign their name at the bottom ? I've also attached the hozon paperwork for translation as reference, as it's Akasaka senjuin Kanesaki. 1521 ? Also the artist is Japanese and will probably be able to read the text in hozon. Thanks

The issue is that during the early shinto period, alot of swordsmith and schools were either displaced or or moved into different provinces. And this meant alot of smiths learnt different styles and would incorporate methods from different schools. Which can be sometimes harder to pin point a shinto blade. As mentioned before most shinto blades are signed and could easily be put through shinsa /identified. I don't think any of us can really tell for certain what period this is. But I would question why anyone tried to do that to the nakago, which really jeopardised identifying the blade. Regards

From the first images without reading anyone's posts , as a beginner. My mind said defo not muromachi or koto. But shinto. This to me looks kanbun at first glance. There are two fantastic books that might help you. One is conissour of the Japanese sword and the second even more relevant is markus sesko nihon shinto shi. Regards

This is a great question Peter. As someone who is probably one of the youngest collectors here, in my 30s. Its just begun. But. I've sold my collection of replica Chinese made katanas which were for martial arts. And I started collecting those when I was in my early 20s. And that ended when I satisfied my desire for the high end blade of that category. Eventually these swords just sat on shelves and were seldom viewed ,maybe once a year. I always wanted the real thing, and when I got one my interest boomed. The part I enjoyed is research and books, I got two blades from the era I wanted. And view them twice weekly. For me it's finding out the mystery of who owned the blade and what it's seen. For me it will end when I buy at least one more or two. Or maybe it already has. As unfortunately money, and accessibility prevent me from taking this hobby any further. What I realized is important, is community. As within the community you can buy and sell, learn. I only recently had the honor of viewing a great blade from a member of this community for example. Regards

Isn't that the same as saying that the sword over 50cm did not satisfy BF , that it was imported legally or had sufficient evidence to prove it fell In sword law section exemptions ie. Antique, over 100 years made traditionally ect. In which case that would be correct that they could seize the sword. It's a funny law considering I can import an stainless steel wakizashi which is under 50cm made in China. Regards

@Darkconabsolutely. You always miss things that you didnt know were there. Ive tried to filter one photo here to improve tbe lighting. regards

Are they UK based at all Alex

Hi Ken , yep I see your point. It's crazy how time and day can bring out different details. Il do another one today to get more details Regards

Definitely a Chinese wall hanger. Had a very similar blade like that years ago that my dad got from a market.

I will do the lighting wasn't great. Capturing the detail can be the most annoying aspect lol Just noticed one picture with detail didn't show up,il re post

Hi all I thought I post up few photos of my first sword I got back in February. I had read few books, but wanted a blade with history attached. It's a late muromachi 1527 hozon papered blade from Mino senjuin school by Kanesaki. What attracted me to the blade was price and it being a Koto era sword. Also the history of the sengoku jidai and that this blade was one of many produced for the war effort. However it is o suriage and mumei. Koshiare was meiji era, but the blade had been polished not too long ago. It has sashikomi polish and sanbunsugi hamon / togari gunome. As it was my first sword, I ensured it was papered and some history to it. I dont ever plan to sell the blade, probably will get new koshiare made for it at some point. It has nice jigane , jinie and hada, which my camera fails to get with current photos. I personally love the blade. And it was my first ever purchase in this new hobby of mine. Regards Paz