2devnul

More pictures.

More pictures.

More pictures.

Hello, Please find below pictures of my new purchase. I'm looking for any comments. Especially any attribution comments (or paper translation) that will help to determine the time period and (if that is even possible) the smith. Thank you all for help!

I will be happy to send more photos once I have the sword delivered. No shame in that. I would also like to hear all (including negative ones) opinions. Can you tell me what "Nioiguchi" is? I heard a rumor (so please treat it lightly) that there are Japanese-certified smiths (we even have one in Poland, he finished apprenticeship, passed tests etc. in Japan) outside of Japan that do legit blades. Of course they don't use original Japanese Tamahagane (no access to it) but they use their 'own'. They moved outside (or were foreigners like the guy from Poland) Japan to bypass all the sword-smithing limitations and earn better cash. I don't know how much of that is true, but I do KNOW that the mentioned certified Polish smith is indeed producing swords in Poland. He uses modern carbon steel and asks a lot (like 4-5 times more then Komonjo) for a blade. Is the one I purchased a real Nihonto, Gendaito, Shinsakuto or a very good replica made outside of Japan by certified (or not) smith, that is still open question. I will love to hear more once I have the blade and can share more pictures (tell me what you look for). Great explanation, thank you very much for that Francois! I guess Shinsakuto would be the right term in that case.

This is something I considered before buying. That they do the Mei themself on random blades. However, hamon or nakago file marks looks quiet similar so the source might be the same. Who knows if it is Nihonto after all (although looks alike, so blacksmith/s know their job). As for 'papered' ones I can't comment as I haven't bought any. From what I seen the papers are usually the 'white' ones (those need verification from the box as per my knowledge and the legit part might too). Also, most of the blades are in very poor polish or condition. I would NOT pay that much for blade that I can't see with my own eyes. Any other comments about blade itself are appreciated. Especially the comments about the blade, not komonjo

Hello! I just bought this Katana and would like to hear your comments. Mei = MasaToshi. I have a Tanto with almost exactly the same Mei so hoping that this is the same smith. Link to Tanto: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/45851-shinsaku-osoraku-tanto-how-to-classify-this-hamon-typestyle Also, is Shinsaku a proper term for modern made swords? Please comment, thank you!

Hi, Thanks Ed, found and bought one already (outside of forum). Topic can be closed. Thank you again to all that helped!

Hi, not yet, still looking. But I got in touch with a person (via different website) in Poland that has nice collection. I'm hoping to find something there. Yes, the one on the example pictures is for sale. Are you interested?

Thank you I apologize, still new to the forum. But I see admins moved the topic to proper section. UK is not part of EU anymore right? So there will be customs involved AFAIK. Costs for customs aren't high (that is not an issue) but the whole red-tape involved (at least in Poland) scares me.

Hello, Thanks for sharing the pictures John. John J., still, the cut is so deep that for me it is hard to believe that it's been made during hand-to-hand combat. I've seen swords with battle scars but never saw a cut like that. On habaki (brass) I agree, maybe even on mune (softer), but on the HA? Another John posted link to nice article: http://www.ksky.ne.j...9/katanainfight.html I also have a pic from one of the swords which was in my collection (not necessary battle scar, but definitely someone tried to cut something that was way to hard for the blade). What I want to point is that IMHO HA will rather chip, not have a perfect cut like that. Especially not from hand-to-hand strikes. That is why Alex's theory is quiet possible.

Hello everyone, I'm looking for Tsuba for my katana. Please find below details about what I search for and drop me a PM if you can help. Thanks! 1. I'm interested in Edo period, Mokko Gata, preferred black iron (but not a must have) as material with nice 'gold' ornaments. Attaching picture of an example. 2. I'm looking for sale within EU in order to avoid customs issues. 3. I'm paying via bank wire-transfer (don't have PP etc.). 4. My budget 375$ (including shipping). Cheers!

Hi Rob, I'm looking forward to see comments about the blade from forum experts (I'm just a newbie). Always love to see treasures being revealed. My advice, try to make and share pictures like the ones on below page (professional Nihonto shop): https://www.e-sword....katana/2310-1090.htm

That makes a lot of sense Alex, thank you. I learned something today. This would also explain how was it possible (how hard was the sword strike, is it even possible in battle?) to cut so deeply with other sword.

Hello, How hard the strike must have been to cut so deeply in to the hardened steel. For me personally this type of damage (or cuts on Mune) is an added value as it reveals a bit of sword history (used for fighting, not only carrying). I'm also interested about Shinsa opinion, but I guess it depends much on the blade itself (would they reject precious blade due to cuts?). Can you please share more pictures, including whole blade, Nakago and Koshirae?

https://www.ebay.com/str/komonjo

Hello, This is interesting Steve, thank you very much for your research. It is possible, as tanto was sold via Ebay by 'famouse' Japanese dealer "Komonjo"/"Miki Yamaguchi" (you might know him). I think that maybe smith wasn't happy with his work. That is why sword went for auction without polish and lower price via Mr. Komonjo. The polisher in Poland for sure took (grinded) a bit from the blade as it is quiet thin for Osoraku type (at least IMHO). Unfortunately I don't have any pictures on how it looked before the polish. Could it be that they way hamon looks now is polisher (chemical?) work? And that originally it was (intended) to be different?

Hello, I only know that polishing was done in Poland. I will not mention gentlemen's name as I don't want to give any bad fame to him. I'm attaching more pictures including signature. As far as I know blade was purchased on Ebay, shipped from Japan in raw (no polish) state. Koshirae was made locally in Poland.

Hello everyone, I'm having difficulties in classifying this Tanto's hamon type/style. My first impression is Juka/Saka-Choji, but I would like to ask for second opinion. What is the pattern style/type or what could haven been the intention of the smith/polisher? Thank you very much for all the comments!

Hello, Great job on bringing that blade back to life. I'm a complete newbie so please treat my comments lightly. Color of the steel suggests Koto period, but IMHO (probably wrong) shape is more Shinto alike. Nice notare/gunome hamon, hada quite tight too. I understand it is mumei as you haven't posted any mei pictures. Two wholes in nakago suggest it was 'moved around' to different koshirae. Any mei on Tsuba? But the best part are the chips on cutting edge. If only swords could talk, I wonder what happen there. Congratulations for owning a great sword!

Hello, Just thinking out loud. Isn't this (registration) required due to the fact that swords in Japan are treated like weapons (like firearms in EU)? It also doesn't matter if it is new or old blade. As long it is shinken (steel, sharp) and not iaito (alloy, dull) it needs proper registration or otherwise it can be confiscated. AFAIK if you buy a new shinken at dealer/shop you are getting registration papers right away.

This small rust was gone after one minute of polishing. But it was modern steel.

Hi, it looks like rust and a lot of it. I'm using lightly abrasive polishing paste (like the one from picture) to get rid of the rust. Although I never used it on historical Nihonto only on modern one to get rid a small bit of rust.

Hello, Thank you very much Mark. This is most helpful. I haven't bought that blade yet, I'm considering it. I'm hoping to use arguments from this conversation to either resign from buying or lowering price. Still, even if it's a gimei, the blade has a very good polish and overall condition is great. Any other comments are welcome and much appreciated. Cheers!

Hello, I humbly ask for any comments about this blade, thank you. Mei: Hojoji Sadahiro Nagasa 53,5cm Moto gasane 7mm Sori 12mm Pictures below.