Nihonto student

Obviously, certification can't be understood from the nakago or the signature alone, so in this case I was just making a deduction. Process: Of the three signatures, identify the one that is definitely genuine... the third is a textbook example and is also the only one dated (Perhaps a coincidence, I didn't open the Aoi links to see if the others are dated). The other two are both well-executed overall, so need to delve into the details. What doesn't convince me about signature no. 2 is the character 近, which doesn't seem precise, and it seems like more pressure was applied to the strokes than the rest. Then there's the character 忠, where the bottom stroke appears a bit rounded, whereas it should be very square, as can be seen in examples 1 and 3. Overall, his signature is very square with very clean strokes. The last is a gem from @Jacques (Honor to merit), who in another post had indicated that one Tadahiro's signature feature is the decreasing size of the characters from top to bottom. For me, this feature is very evident in #3, less so in #1, and completely absent in #2. An interesting thing to explore in this specific case is that Aoi has decided to list #2 as non-guaranteed. This, to me, means they're ruling out the possibility that it could be a daimei which is common for Tadahiro since he collaborated with both the 3rd and 4th generation, so as I interpret it for Aoi it is gimei. Giordy

Dear Pierre, Start by saying that the signatures of the Tadayoshi line are tricky and among the most counterfeited. In this case, we're talking about the second generation, which had a long career and its signature has undergone several evolutions. Personally, I'd say from left to right: - Tokubetsu - Disputed - Juyo Giordy

Dear Alex, from the pictures I can only say that it is a wakizashi, not a katana, signed Sagami (no) Kami Fujiwara Hiroshige (Edo period, first half). Giordy

Frankly, I still think that being a Catawiki appraiser is an extremely uncomfortable position from which I would be far away , and that the appraiser has nothing to do with appraisal but is only required to give an opinion on authenticity. Based on this, if we think that one of the first things that are explained in this world is that a blade must be seen to be evaluated we already have a paradox...certainly the experience counts so I sincerely ask you, dealers, enthusiasts, collectors (Although I prefer keepers) how much would you rate the Sadayuki posted by Sebastian based only on photos? Personally the valuation 10,500 - 13,000 + fees + shipping is totally crazy for me, even relating it to the European market which tends to be more expensive. Personally if I had to make an assessment on paper I would rate it less than half... but I am curious to hear the opinion of those who know more than me. However, I remain of the idea that the strategy of Catawiki is aimed at the protection of the seller unlike other platforms more equitable , this strategy is based on a solid point that is if the seller is better protected and if the seller earns more will have more incentive to sell through Catawiki than other platforms, this allows the platform to increase the items offer, the increase in the audience of buyers becomes a consequence...their main target of engagement are the sellers not the buyers because simply: + items offer means + items sold = higher commissions. The expert’s evaluation then plays a fundamental role in giving security to the buyer with respect to the perception of value, especially in a mass culture now addicted to reviews. Giordy

I don't have much to add to what has already been said, one of the best insights I've ever read... full of excellent content (Almost inaccessible to ordinary mortals) the quality of the photos is superb... I honestly have no suggestions for improvement... I can only say thank you and look forward to the next article. Giordy

I understand you very well Benjamin , I was amazed thinking about how much effort is needed to create a blade of such magnitude. Also it would be nice to be able to organize a meeting/lunch/dinner with NMB members next year by organizing it in advance.

Visited for the first time, beautiful event in an equally beautiful and exclusive location, very helpful and friendly dealers, I sincerely hope that this event will be maintained because we desperately need it in Europe, hope that the dealers have also done good business because in the end a lot also depends on this. I see the format itself as centered but in a growth perspective it would be interesting to integrate more laboratories / lectures also in general on Japanese culture that can attract a more varied audience. The blade posted by Luc is a Gassan Sadanobu was exhibited together with 3 other Gassan including an Sadakazu Odachi for the very interesting lecture held by Simone di Franco on the Gassan school, obviously magnificent horimono as per Gassan tradition. Regarding possible purchases the offer was varied with both entry level and high level pieces, especially for entry level I saw several interesting pieces compared to the asking price so I strongly suggest to those who are thinking about their first purchase to come to the next edition. @Jussi Ekholm I thought of you when I saw this , never seen so many ana.. PS: sorry for the low quality photos but I didn't want to be too annoying towards the dealers... Giordy

Nice blade Sky congratulation! I hope Seiyudo brought interesting pieces to the Utrecht show this week, I'll be there on Saturday I hope to meet some members of the forum, if anyone is there write to me, always nice to share experiences and getting to know each other. Giordy

it would be the other option that I did not mention, I wanted to have the measurements because the blade seems to tend towards sakizori... but with Sukesada I have a basic problem... if I think of Sukesada the first thing that comes to mind is the koshi hiraki (which I do not see here) but in reality I have seen arrangements of choji midare of all types, suguha, hitatsura... so if I do not see a clear koshi hiraki I struggle to recognize it...

I think it refers to the fact that from the monouchi the midare becomes more flamboyant and exuberant... personally I think the blade is shinto, hada seems very thin to be Muromachi, I don't see traces of O hada and in the shinogi I only see masame, the call on Ishido therefore seems legitimate... to me what doesn't add up is that the hamon doesn't have variations in height and doesn't reach the shinogi and above all the boshi doesn't seem to add up for Yasuhiro or for Ishido in general...Fujiwara Takada is another option for me. Adam can you kindly post the measurements? Nice blade anyway

Mishina school, Shodai is one the sons of O Kanemichi (Daido) founder of the school, personally I think this example wants to be Sandai, like others of the school signs with Kiku mon, Nidai also uses Eda Kiku.

Dear Jörg, as already indicated by Brian and Kirill sugata fits well in the late Muromachi Period, if I had to bet I would say Tensho (1573 - 1592) but it could also be 20-30 years older. All the best, Giordy

Am I the only one who sees pure masame in shinogi ji? Mino route?

Hi Justin, thanks for posting your blade, I confirm you that it is an authentic Tanto, at first glance I would say from the Muromachi period. If you want, post some more detailed photos and the measurements of the blade so maybe we can understand something more. All the best Giordy

Not by me , Thanks everyone for your suggestion!

Many thanks for your explanation Dale, no intention of shopping at the moment (Much less buying reproductions) just wanting to broaden my knowledge in the field. All the best, Giordy

Thank you Kantaro, can I ask you if there are any unique distinctive elements to immediately understand if it is a replica? Or is it just a matter of experience?

Thanks Michael, I need to start checking the Tosogu section more often and train my eyes...

Dear all, I kindly ask for your help since my interest is mainly in blades and I don't know much about tsuba, something I absolutely need to fix... This piece caught my attention especially for the unusual size that leads me to think that it was made for artistic purposes only, I would like to know your opinions on it including the translation of the mei and an idea of value provided that it is authentic... as I said I am out of my comfort zone. Thank you in advance for your comments. Giordy

Dear Garner, first of all for evaluation better photos of the nakago, sugata, and detail of hada, hamon and boshi are needed, it would be useful also to have the kasane measurements. In any case: the registration is not a certification of the authenticity of the signature, if this blade had originally been a tachi from the kamakura period considering the average nagasa with what we have today the signature would have been cut, therefore if this blade was shortened (Not sure for me at the moment) the signature was added after the shortening which would most likely mean Gimei (false signature). I also doubt that it could be Kodachi, statistically finding a kamakura blade today without a valid certification is a rare event in itself... in any case post more accurate photos so we can have more details to analyze. Best Regards, Giordy

Dear John, I agree with your opinion in general, but my answer as specified was not aimed at judging this case, it is only for completeness of information... you have all the experience to make these considerations but Minh does not yet, so it seemed right to inform him of the story behind green papers...for me the key word regarding a possible purchase is "awareness" if you are aware then some choices can be subjective, but you will not regret it. Regarding the blade: The price is not that low, it does not make me scream at the deal of the year. The blade is in Japan so as always I see no reason not to have it papered, so I would ask the seller for mediation by paying a deposit fully refundable if the blade doesn't pass, if the blade pass I would pay the related certification costs + extra for the service (Obviously estimated beforehand) if the seller refuses I would pass. Kind Regards Giordy

Dear Minh, without going into this specific case of attribution, I think it is useful for you to read this article since I think it is the real answer to the title of your post: https://web.archive.org/web/20210123052725/https://blog.yuhindo.com/green-papers-no-papers/ You will find many posts about this argument on the forum... the advice I want to give you is therefore to focus on the study of blades with reliable certification and only when you have gained skills move on to the dubious ones. Regards Giordy

I'm not very experienced with nengo, someone else can possibly correct me but I think it's December 1631 because I consider 1624 in the count, if you look at the link info it says that Kunitsugu received an honorable official title of Echizen Daijo in the 11th year of the Kan-Ei era (1634) so 1624 falls into the count. I understand well what you mean, we all want perfect blades but then we have to deal with the wallet...

Hi Adam, Full translation: Heianjo Fujiwara Kunitsugu https://nihontoclub.com/smiths/KUN1550 Nengo should be: twelfth month of the eighth year of the Kanei era. His master was Dewa Daijo Kunimichi (Some accounts say he was Kunimichi's son) you can find other info here https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/shop/product/antique-Japanese-sword-wakizashi-signed-by-kunitsugu-nbthk-tokubetsu-hozon-certificate/?srsltid=AfmBOoobMbF1o3C2xoHmmAPGYjaiHHMkrxpubv6eMDoKOv2ZjazyQ2Qq Nice blade though, shame about that opening on the kissaki. Regards, Giordy

As always accurate and punctual like a clock