Cookie_Monstah

Greetings everyone, Just like the title says I would like to draw on your feedback on a correlation between mount and blade quality. Are they usually consistent with one another? I've found some interesting swords in lieutenant and above ranked Type 94 and Type 98 mounts. I still get excited when I see them come out of the woodwork because you never know. I've been offered two o-suriage tachi blades so far. They are drying up state side. All the best, Khalid

It is a wakizashi. It took me a while to understand the significance of length in value. Jimmy plans on evaluating it at the San Fransisco sword show. As with any sword I look to see if it is "good enough" to warrant an exceptional polish. I've also come to find that mumei swords are usually of lesser pedigree than zaimei ones. Then there's mumei, suriage or o-suriage ones. And, ultimately taste is a factor as well.

Hi Lex, The sword appears to be metallurgically sound. I found it appealing due to its Miji-hada like appearance. I do not know if that really is the hada because the sword is out of polish and might reveal something that is hidden. This can be a good and/or bad thing.

Greetings everyone, I while back I was fortunate enough to be able to acquire a sword from a gun and coin shop that features signatures of two smiths. The signatures are believed to read as Kii Kuni Tsunahiro and Kami Minamoto Norihiro from around 1650-1700. The sword is in exceptional condition and will be sent to Jimmy Hayashi for polishing. Do I have a papering advantage given that it is signed by two smiths? I would be psyched if it papers above tokubetsu hozon. It came with a modest copper habaki in excellent condition. I'd be more than happy to feature it in the San Francisco sword show after it is restored. I'd really like to have it professionally photographed as well. Let us know what you think, Khalid

Dear forum, Moses did my first restoration on a sword several years back. I was in my late 20s at the time. I am now 31 years old. Age wise almost the entire forum and Moses knew and still know more than me. This was the sword that I picked to restore (see link bellow). The sword was a beginners level sword and the restoration was commensurate to that. I believe that Moses is capable of substantial work through his experience more so than by formal training. I wouldn't send him anything capable of papering as juyo or above because what he charges does not reflect the same level of skill as that can be found in Japan. He's a gentleman to deal with and is straight forward in his work. Would I use him again, yes, but not for the caliber of swords in my crosshairs. https://nihontoantiques.com/project/bizen-sword-fss-896/ Be well, Khalid

2nd picture

Greetings, This is my 1st tsuba ever. What can you guys tell me about it?

Hi Brian, Can you describe the sori and hamon on yours? Was it made in emulation of an older style work? Thanks, Khalid

I looked at this again and the wear is too uniform and indicative of emulation. I do not advise traveling to for further examination.

Habaki is yucky at best. Saya might be WW2 (check inside stitching). Newer stitching is no bueno and would indicate sword is dead on arrival and not worth discussing further.

This I will read later.

I am under the impression that these are indicative of off-site manufactured blades that are vetted for military acceptance. The scabbard is dented an did not come with an officer's tassel to indicate rank of ownership. I had a monster O-suriage blade with 4 mekugi-ana spaced out over about 20 cm apart. It came with a near mint but dirty blue and brown (lieutenant level) tassel. The sword was sold to someone deserving of it as I thought the metal was too thin to risk restoration on. I still have the tassel and sketch of the nakago. I can't wait to find out what happened with it.

Hi again, I would have to look at it in hand to examine the fittings. I'm perplexed as to why someone would take a Heian sword to war. Also the oxidation looks newer on the tang. Could it be a newer blade made in the older style?

Hi Sam, Define interesting in this context please. I have to wait until at least August for it to get looked at. Hopefully it's flawless.

No star stamp or a trace of one. They are usually a pronounced marking.

If you know you know. This is assumed to be a loosing gamble. Listing agent: Zev Antiques. If it made it to war mounts then...

Any sword photographers near Boston? Asking for future reference.

Only if you explain to us what it is that we are looking at.

Hi Bruce, This one is interesting because it has two distinct and elaborately done kanji on the spine of the tang. They are not arsenal marks. Not something I see every day. (Especially for $500 USD.) People discard things, so sad.

Greetings, I have a very important question. Which side do you read first on a sword (see photos)? This sword is mine. I own it. I like the workmanship. I am putting in in a box to send to Jimmy. Jimmy is my buddy. Jimmy will judge the quality of workmanship of the sword from a polisher's perspective. I haven't translated the signature yet. Is the quality of signature consistent with the smith's skill? The sword has been "bubbad" as we say in the gun world. That's why I didn't photograph the blade for you guys. It is geometrically pristine like the "Gunbroker" sword I posted a while back that two of you (minimum) bid through the roof. I'm glad it went to a good home. If I can't acquire a sword and someone here does in my place I don't mind. I find things. Hope all is well, Khalid

Greetings, Would it be possible to obtain the papering guidelines for the NBTHK. I know different tiers have different criterion and the higher up you go the more stringent they get. This is for educational purposes and it could benefit other members that are new to the papering process as well. Thanks, Khalid

I would want a very skilled polisher to look at it first. It's old and looks ubu to me.

I soaked it with oil and let the crud break free overnight then wiped it off with a microfiber cloth. I think there's dried oil inside of the habaki.

Greetings, I finished cleaning and wiped down the wakizashi. I couldn't get the crud of the habaki and it's stuck in place. Feel free to let me know how I did. Best, Khalid