Mark

Steve thanks! I had not thought of the date being added after the inscription, interesting idea. The whole inscription is inlaid with copper (maybe) so i thought it was all done at once but i guess the inscription after the date could have been just carved and when the date was added (if it was) then the whole thing inlaid to give the idea it was all done together. But why add a date? And why that date? Doesn't seem to have any logical reason. I had guessed it was done by someone who was not an expert, like maybe a samurai or someone in the "sticks" and that is why it is like that. i am probably wrong. It seems so strange that it would cause more concern than increase value so can't see the upside for whoever did it. I thought it may be a test but also wondered if it was information about an owner, i just coundn't make anything from it. Thanks for the look and suggestions. I will keep working on it, any other suggestions welcomed mark

the sword is signed Bizen norimitsu (sue koto). on the other side is this inscription --- it is inlaid with a soft metal, maybe copper. Strange that it starts on the polished part of the blade. I can read Kyoho 11 3rd month (written without the kanji for year), but i am lost with the rest. With the date it was clearly added after the sword was made. Any help appreciated!! Thanks mark

yes i agree it is clearly just a poor gimei. I only posted it as it is the first i have seen with a stamp. i knew what it was when i got it, no worries about being gimei. i know it is not the signature of a Showa era smith, i noted in the title it is a gimei of a big name. I have seen many of these, just strange it would have a Showa stamp. Just thought it interesting so i posted it. Has anyone else seen a Showa era sword with a signature of a famous older maker with a stamp?

has anyone seen something like this before? Maybe i have just missed it, but it seems unusual. I came by a katana signed Tsuda Sukehiro, looked obviously gimei but i was surprised to see it had a Showa stamp. Is this unique or have i just been missing them before? I have seen plenty of Showa era swords with big name signatures but never one with a stamp of any kind

i don't recommend removing the handle of an NCO sword. there is nothing on the nakago that will help and too much chance of damaging the sword. the handle looks like it is brass. if so the only NCO swords i know with brass handles are post war copies

thanks Ray and Steve. good to know. i appreciate it mark

i appreciate you taking a look. thanks!

Ray thanks! does it have any meaning? maybe the name of the owner or similar? seems a bit unusual. appreciate it mark

thanks in advance. i was going to skip asking as the habaki is not that well made so i figure maybe it is nothing, but it would be nice to know appreciate the look and any help mark

the second does look like kanenori to me

Mr Dawg (not sure but guess that is your name) hard to say from pictures but if pressed to say then sue koto Mino

my guess Kansei time period (not positive on the first kanji) maker Kaga Kiyomitsu

i must be missing something. all i see is a Hozon paper to Kanesaki (no date or additional info as is usual for these papers)

the NTHK had/has a monthly journal or magazine. guess check June 2011, or next issu/vol 611 (i forget if they were numbered) page 27 you will have to find someone with one

depending where you are located (i realize SA is a big country) Brian, our administrator might be of help. you could PM him

i posted a sword for $995 on this thread sorry did not see yours until today

i remember seeing it at the SF show some time back

It is a long saya, and if it needed to be signed on the opposite side maybe the sayagaki is very long

quick look i saw https://www.ebay.com/itm/274799531961 https://www.books-wasabi.com/product/413 i doubt there is an english translation unless someone did it themselves. you can probably use the illustrations to help

looks like an ugly fukure. if so the sword has little value. look closely

sorry. these appear to be modern fakes http://www.jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html

I am excited to announce a new sword show. This is in conjunction with, and part of, the Las Vegas Antique Arms Show https://www.antiquearmsshow.com/ I am organizing a Japanese sword section in the Antique Arms show. This is a huge annual show with 1500+ tables and thousands of attendees. When you enter the show the Japanese Sword section will be immediately inside on your left. Everyone attending the show will have to walk past our section. The Las Vegas Shot show is held the same week. Please check out the show website for additional information https://www.vegasswordshow.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Vegas-Japanese-Sword-Show-107936798578861 There will be additional updates, we plan to have demonstrations, possibly celebrity guests, etc etc. Just wanted to get the word out early so interested parties can make arrangements. We have not had a show this time of the year since Tampa and Las Vegas weather is better than up north in January. Also Las Vegas is a good destination offering a variety of entertainment and tourist options.

I don't sell that much online. Mostly i sell at shows. I read the thread about eBay listings posted here so figure i will give it a try, This is a second model NCO sword with brass tsuba (first model was copper handled). It is near MINT, in 30 years of buying Japanese swords it is the best i have had and one of the best i have ever seen. There is the original leather knot (early type with buckle) attached probably worth $3-400 by itself but it was there so i left it as found. Numbers match. If you are looking for maybe the "best" NCO sword available to add to your collection here is your chance.Blade 26 1/4" cutting edge, 38 1/2 overall. sold

just a reminder -- the auction is tomorrow morning maybe some good deals - we will see