2devnul

Hadori on this one is sloppy in my opinion. I do not think a master Togishi was working on this sword. Some say it was acid etched. Polish is in good condition but I have a feeling it has few decades. What we have here is in my opinion late Muromachi (or very early Edo) Sue-Bizen with: 1. Very distinctive Nakago shape, especially ending of it. 2. Tight Itame/Mokume Hada. 3. Wild/irregular Kani no Tsune Hamon. Based on the owner's story sword was purchased in Japan in an antique shop that don't specialize in swords (mostly ceramics and other Asian antiques). Shop owner has no knowledge about the swords and he was selling this on behalf of sword owner as per commission. Sword owner was looking for fast cash instead of having family heirloom. So, any educated guesses? Who might be the smith?

Thank you very much!

Private collection in Poland.

Hello, Please help with Mei translation, thank you!

Speaking about Nakago, check this, especially bottom/ending of Nakago, comparing to my clue/lead.

Again, looking at the sword at hand I don't have such a feeling. Maybe it is due to pictures quality. I will try to take more photos this night, with different light.

I see, but I don't understand why the assumption it was done like that. I have this sword at hand, comparing to other swords in my collection I can't tell it is different in a specific way. @Rivkin @Mikaveli Can you please explain why do you think it was acid etch? I would like to learn the way to determine that.

Do you mean you don't like it or that in your opinion it is badly made?

That Hamon is the reason why this sword caught my eye. Not many smiths were doing Kani no Tsume, and as for Bizen there is a big name behind it. I think that Hadori is sloppy and this blade would look much better in Shashikomi. Hada is very nice and tight. 'Crab claws' are irregular and wild. Mumei makes it a mystery which I'm hoping to solve on this forum. Please let me know if any additional pictures (what exactly is needed) could help forum members to tell me more about this sword.

Nice one, looks like Katate-Uchi.

That was my guess too. What do you mean by that? Can you elaborate on that? Are you referring to polish?

My first "Nihonto" was a fake, I was basing my judgment on few books only and I failed. I learned that hard way by presenting my "Nihonto" to other collector. Much have changed since then, due to more books, looking at real Nihonto in others collection (at hand), buying first few with a help of experienced collector. I think these are a good alternative for Iaido/Tameshigiri. Even for display for people that can't afford Nihonto. I personally use Chinese blade for training (both Iai and cutting), mounted in Japanese Tsuka. Chinese/Thai/other still make that fat oddly looking stake alike Tsuka, not to mention poor wrapping. Why I use Chinese blade? I don't care if it gets chipped, bent, catches rust or whatever. I don't even clean that blade. Still, it took me a while to find a decent replica, in a way of handling etc. And it isn't (although they are good) Hanwei. As for these 'high end replicas', I think they are still cheaper than new (not second hand) Shinsakuto with Japanese Koshirae.

Yes, they are getting better, but still sloppy.

Mumei BTW ...

More pictures.

Hi, I have an interesting sword IMO and some assumptions, but I would love to hear what forum members can tell me about it! Nagasa 47cm, sori 1,9mm, motohaba 29mm

Available only till end of this year, then it will go to dealer.

700$ + free shipping.

Hi, IMO it is not Konuka Hada. It reminds me Hada from my 3rd Tadayoshi. https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/45103-shinto-wakizashi-hizen-kuni-mutsu-kami-tadayoshi-please-comment/ There are opinions that sometimes with fancy Hamon (not Suguha) Hada wasn't 'that' typical Konuka. https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/53901-sandai-tadayoshi/#comment-566175

Hi, Sukesada is a popular name, but looking at the pictures I would say it is late Koto (~1550) Tanto. Koshirae is IMO later addition, maybe even made after WWII. Doesn't look like Edo piece to me. Blade is 'running on fumes' with not much of collectors (again, my opinion) value. I wouldn't pay 650USD for it, you can find much better deals.

Hi, Interesting topic! Can you bring a blade without any papers? No NBTHK or even old Torokusho copy? How they determine if it is Nihonto? What happens if you bring none-Nihonto replica (not Iaito, sharp sword)? Thanks!

https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/53181-echizen-fujiwara-kunitsugu-dated-1632-with-nbthk/#comment-567197 Echizen Fujiwara Kunitsugu, dated 1632, with NBTHK Hozon and prefect polish for 3300$ USD. In that forum thread you will also find links to SOLD swords from this smith (prices around 4k USD). PS. Proper Koshirae restoration with purchase of decent fittings/Tsuba is a cost around 2k USD. Of course price can go higher, depending on fittings/Tsuba etc...

750$ + free shipping.

Perfect sword, please share more pictures. Sugata and Nakago, also more of Boshi. What paper do you have for it? Thanks!

BUMP I can go as low as I paid for the sword = 12k PLN = 3300$ (with current $/PLN rate).