tyrion67

Thanks a lot yes, blade is a wakizashi. From the vendor, Mei is supposed to be 忠吉- Tadayoshi. So, blade was registered in end of 2022 in Shiga, and then get deregistered sometimes after, correct ?

Hello, someone proposes me a blade, which would be provided with this paper. from what i understand it's a transport or export document (but maybe not?) do you have any other information on it? thank you in advance,

thank you for your encouragement. I'm taking a break from research for the time being, and I'm still concentrating on studying and documenting. I'll get back to researching once I've narrowed down what I'm looking for, although I imagine it'll be on a whim. I always buy my pieces for myself, with no intention of reselling. I'm not interested in speculation or resale (and have no time for that). As a result, I'm always looking for the piece that really suits me, which can take some time. Thank you very much

Yes, for me, posting photos on an exchange forum was a way of learning (in addition to what I could read and study on the side). Documentation, while crucial, is sometimes less responsive than a live forum... But I understand your point of view, I'll keep my wallet closed as you say, and go back to my beloved studies and stop boring you with my low-end blades.

I'm slowly learning which blades aren't even worthy of being presented to you for review! I took fewer risks with this one, since it comes with a certificate, even if it's not official. I'll eventually ask for more details on the kissaki. Nevertheless, a tanto wasn't my first choice, I was more inclined towards a wakizashi, but you never know. This one is sold for 700€, I don't know if that's a fair price for a Tanto in this condition? Bingo, yes, I also thought of a polishing specificity. It may be a common look, but I have to admit that it bothers me a little...

hello, a new one in my budget... (I'm staying in the same topic to avoid spreading myself too widely over the forum, I hope it doesn't get in the way) It's a tanto this time, here's the information I have: I found the hamon strange, or it's just my lack of knowledge ? Thanks

thanks !

Thank you for your answers, which I expected. Indeed, it seems logical that such an investment on a blade in this condition can only be profitable on a potentially valuable signed blade. But I thought I'd ask, you never know. Even so, this set was on sale for around 500€, so even if you like the "European" look of the blades, it's already a not inconsiderable investment.

Hello, Is it valuable to buy this kind of wakizashi in this "poor" condition ? I guess it's an illusion to make the blade presentable again, unless you're willing to spend a small fortune on it. But could a simple "clean-up" within the reach of a mere mortal could make things better? Thanks in advance, Jo

I wish I could have been that guy (without the meat dress).

thank you all gentlemen. I'm delighted that you've reached a unanimous decision against the blade, so I won't have any regrets about refusing this proposal. I'm well aware that as a beginner, it's easy to become enthusiastic about a blade which, in the eyes of an expert, is a piece of rubbish. I have to admit that, in view of the collector who offered it to me, his very fine collection by the way, and all the "precise" information he gave me, I was willing to trust him. It seems likely that he wanted to get rid of a really strange blade that was probably encumbering him. I thank you again for your messages and your knowledge, which will at least have advanced mine a little on the subject, and I'll probably be a little less of a rookie on future opportunities (although I won't hesitate to submit it to your expert eyes). Jo

This is a small text given to me about the signature. Be aware that this text seems to have been translated from Japanese to english to french, and now again to english, so expect lots of typos And some others characteristics (not sure about proper spelling) - total length : 58.5cm - blade length : 48.4cm - nagasa : 38.1cm - sori : 3mm - no kissaki - moto haba : 28mm - moto-kasane : 4.6mm - mekugi : 1 - hada : masame-hada - boshi yaki zume - hamon : chu suguha - boshi : yari zume - mune - maru-mune - period : shin shinto (1780-1868) -forging defect(?) : shinae et old corrosion, no hagire. attached are 2 additional photos Thanks

Hello, I'm looking, to begin my Japanese blade collection, for a "cheap" wakizashi. ideally with a budget of 500/800€. Obviously at this price, I'm willing to make a lot of concessions on condition or features. Preferably, a piece from Europe to avoid additional customs charges (I'm in France). Thank you in advance

From my very beginner point of view, yes, it seems you can call it Gimei. But this signature of a legendary blacksmith has probably not been reproduced to deceive people. At least, that's my logical point of view. But maybe I'm completely wrong. The story I was told was that this blade was forged in a school to recreate a legendary 10th century blade made by this famous blacksmith. But my experience with other militaria themes has taught me not to believe every good story (or at least, to assume that they're not entirely true). So far, I've got nothing against the Gimei either. Given the blade I'm currently looking for, and my modest budget, I'm bound to make concessions, and Gimei may be one of them. If one day I'm looking for a higher-quality blade with a bigger budget, I think I'll avoid Gimei. This blade is offered to me for 500€, with fittings that I personally find very pretty (even if they seem to be obviously basic). I'm aware that this is a very low budget, but this blade is in France, so no additional costs are to be expected. At this price, obviously, I'm not expecting something incredible, I'd like at least a real Japanese forged blade (ideally dating from the period I've been specified), but above all I just want to avoid coming across a Chinese copy or worse. Yes, you're right, I will do it right now ! Thanks for your points of view.

Thank you for your time. Is it that bad?

@2devnul thanks for the links. I also been offered this blade. Perhaps a cheap blade to hang on the wall, would be grateful to hear your opinions about it. First, signature has been identified here https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/46690-help-with-translation/ Of course blade was not made by Sanjō Kokaji, but it's consistent with the little information I have on this blade, namely that it's a recreation of a "mythical blade". It dates back to the Shin-shinto period. blade: 48.4cm nagasa: 38cm sori : 3mm maru-mune Of course, I imagine it's not a prestigious blade, but is it really authentic and from the period it's being sold? Does it have a certain value, even if it's a "recreation" ? Thanks in advance for your feebacks

Thanks for the link Jon. I'm assuming it's a reputable and serious store, so I'm going to take a look...

@Rivkin yes, you're right, seems an average blade with poor condition fitting, I would pass this one. @Jonit's an interesting point of view, for a "new" collector like me. It's true that as a beginner, we're often tempted to have "the perfect, complete piece", but with our beginner's budget. And in the end, we end up with an unsatisfactory piece, complete of course, but with many defects, and which we'll take less pleasure in admiring. I've experienced this temptation in other collection themes. But concentrating on the blade alone can be a good start, along with its history, and paperwork does have its place. I'm going to take a look at what I find in shirasaya here in Europe, but the European market, especially among private individuals, is very commonly filled with very average and very expensive blades. The temptation to order from Japan is of course high, but customs (French for my part) are sometimes fearsome... I'll have to find out more about that. Thanks for your feedback all.

Well, after all of this, I like it less and less (but that's the purpose of this topic ). from a distance I could see that the tsuka wasn't in great shape, but added to the tsuba that's almost a wreck, I'm less enthusiastic. The only thing left would be the original blade (and even then)... Maybe I'll wait for a more coherent example, this one seems to me to resemble, as you say, a curious mix, with pieces found here and there, assembled around this blade...

Thanks for your feedback. I don't like very much the tsuba either. Yes, no paper but as you say, not important for me. This is additional pictures.

Hello Geraint, First, thanks a lot for your feedback. I'm sure it's not a remarkable or exceptional blade, I'm well aware of that. I have a limited budget, and I wanted to find an honest and authentic blade. After that, many would say to wait and buy a better, more expensive blade. But for the time being, this one would fit well in my budget, if indeed there were no "problems" with it. I've got another photo, which I hope will help you form a clearer opinion. Thanks in advance, Jo

Hello, I have been offered this wakizashi, with unsigned blade. do you see any red flag on it? the blade is approx. 37.5cm (from EDO period as advertised) Thanks in advance.

Thanks Bruce, that's very interesting information. I declined the offer of this wakizashi, as the very principle of this "gimei" goes against what I was looking for, even if I imagine it can be found on old, quality blades. Even if indeed, the name of this legendary swordsmith was very easy to detect (not by me, obviously ), and was perhaps not made to deceive people, but to remain consistent with the "recreation" of this legendary blade.

Thanks a lot Steve. It really helps me ..

Thanks. ok.I understand better now the partial information i had, namely that this blade would be a shinshinto period recreation of a "famous" blade. But would the Shinshinto period swordsmith have engraved the name of the "famous swordsmith " and not his name? this seems to be the case. Is this common practice?