cabowen

I agree with Tom regarding the photos, but from the rather rough and open hada, the condition of the nakago and the rounding of the edges of the mekugi-ana, I would be tempted to think it is earlier than shinshinto... Can you take some photos of the blade from the mune/top side at the mune-machi? If the blade is older, it has probably been polished a number of times and this may be apparent by a reduction in thickness of the blade at the mune-machi....

Hakogaki was written in Tenpo. Tsubako is said to be Masayasu I believe...

It's the history and lineage of the tsuba-ko. Interesting in that it is dated Tenpo 8 (1837)....

There is a rather small but passionate group of Minatogawa blade collectors in Japan as well as significant interest in them outside of Japan. As a result, anytime there is a buying market, there will be those trying to exploit it...

No doubt the exchange rate is more favorable for dollar holders than it has been in a long time....It is rather odd to change the dates the way they apparently have. I would think there must be a good reason...Perhaps they want to coordinate with a NBTHK Taikai, if that rumor is true...

I wouldn't call it "normal" but it isn't unheard of either....

I haven't been to the DTI for a long time but the last few times I went the number of US attendees was a pretty small percentage of the total. Unless things have changed greatly, I'm not sure it would make much difference in the grand scheme but regardless it is an unfortunate date for those in the US...

The newspaper article details the work of Okishiba Masatsugu and his helpers to make sword(s) for Higashikuninomiya. The lengths of the swords mentioned in the article do not match Mark's sword, but the both the article and sword date to the same year. It is possible Mark's sword wasn't actually ordered by the Higashikuninomiya family, but made afterwards to "commemorate" the order, as that is what it is written on the sword. Perhaps Morita san will have a proper interpretation....

Be aware that one possible sign of saiha is unusually deep sori....

While there is variation in quality among showa-to, there are a completely different animal than traditionally made gendai-to. There is really no comparing them...If you are interested in swords for their craftsmanship and hand work, then you may be barking up the wrong tree with showa-to. If, on the other hand, you are interested in history and militaria, then showa-to fit the bill...Kanafusa's showa-to seem to be well made considering what they are...

Sesshu....The rest is a mystery to me....

23rd Kanefusa and thereafter do not as a matter of course produce work with a hamon in the style of the original Kanefusa. Additionally, the WWII work we see from him is 99.9% oil quenched, non-traditional showa-to.

Also called Kanefusa choji sometimes, or fukuro-choji..Here's an example...

Looks a bit short....How long is it? From what I can see, it looks pretty nice!

You're welcome...How about a few shots of the blade?

東久邇宮家御下命　　記念 Higashikuninomiya Ke Go-kamei Kinen In commemoration of an order from the family of Higashikuninomiya This was a branch of the Imperial family that was de-Imperialized after the war....

Seeing the new photos, I would agree with Robert, Hisanaga 久永

Especially the comments at the end! Seems ceramics are no different than swords, or any other antique/collectible when it comes to controversy.

kazumi 和見　???

I think it is safe to say that in certain circles Tea touched everything and later, it's influence reached everyone.... See here for some interesting discussion on the Ido tea bowls....

No doubt Arnold, length matters! It definitely matters when it comes to Taisho/early Showa swords. Anything josun in length or longer is rare and much more desirable as in many cases it signifies a blade made to order and not for the military. Often these longer Showa period blades were made for connoisseurs, dedications, prizes, etc. and are the smith's best work.

Try here I have to leave some of the fun for others....

Briefly, Tokuno sensei states that he places a value of 100% on katana which are ubu, zaimei, with a genuine signature, of excellent quality and condition, and of length 2 shaku 3 sun to 2 shaku 5 sun. 1. Katana around 2 shaku 1 sun, plus or minus, are worth 70% unless they are sue Bizen katate-uchigatana, which are normally about 2 shaku 2 sun. 2. Long wakizashi (1 shaku 8 sun to 2 shaku) are valued at 40% to 70%. 3. Medium wakizashi (1 shaku 5 sun to 1 shaku 7 sun) are valued at 30% to 50%. 4. Hira-zukuri ko-wakizashi (1 shaku to 1 shaku 4 sun) are valued at 40% to 60%. 5. Tanto (less than 1 shaku) are valued at 30% to 60%. 6. Yari and Naginata are valued at 20% to 50%. 7. Blades with non-typical sugata are valued at 50% to 80%. Further, he states that before the war, swords longer than 2 shaku 6 sun were valued at wakizashi levels because they were impractical for use, expensive and difficult to polish, etc. Presently, since swords are now appreciated rather than used, this no longer holds true. He also mentions that each sword must be appraised individually and that his prices are just a general guide. As Jean has touched on, I think it is clear that more value is placed on blades that were most likely actually carried and/or used by samurai, not the merchant class.

Generally speaking, all other things equal, blades of josun (2 shaku 3 sun) and longer are valued higher than those less than josun. See for example Tokuno sensei's Toko Taikan, wherein he states that for valuation, swords of 2 shaku 3 sun to 2 shaku 5 sun are valued (assuming excellent work, ubu, etc.) at 100%, swords longer are worth less (impractical to use, costly to polish, etc.), as are katana shorter than josun. Wakizashi are broken down into long, short, hira-zukuri, etc., and valued at a percentage of 100%. The same with tanto and naginata, etc.

Maybe your photos but the hamon looks like it's barely there....