Mark

Thanks to all ! I will have to look at my books again, I thought I was wrong, about Masahiro, as i did not see any oshigata that were close-- could be just gimei

Thanks to everyone for the ideas....... pictures attached. It is 14 3/16" hirazukuri, thin irregular temper, there are clouds of nie or something in the Ji........ what do you think??

Thanks to everyone who has ventured an opinion !! At least i feel better that this is not something i should have figured out right away. I spent some quality time with chogi oil and a piece of horn, not sure if it made a big improvement but i think it is a bit clearer... the tang does not seem so distressed that a lot of detail should be missing, most of the kanji is cut deep and clear ? Does this picture help any?? I took a shot with both kanji as it gives an idea of the size/layout and then a close up of the second..... Thanks again

Thanks Stephen, you did a great job with the picture. I wondered if Uji or Suke possible? I hoped someone who is fluent in Japanese might recognize the kanji even if it is not clear.

Ha-Ha .... but seruously, it does not look like Mune, there is something like a box in the lower right of the kanji...... ??

Group, I have a ko-wakizashi that is signed, the mei is hard for me to make out. Rust and wear may have worn away some of the stokes. I can clearly see Masa as the fist kanji, i at first assumed the second was Hiro, but after trying to remove some of the red rust i am now not sure. Maybe someone more familiar with Japanese can make it out..... any help appreciated. Thanks!

Since the description says the maker is Namishige can we assume Jock is the seller?

if mailing a bare blade - wrap it in paper or plastic wrap, then get a peice or wood (like lathe or trim), place the sword on the wood with an inch or more wood past the sword tip, make a hole in the wood to line up with the ana, secure the sword with insulated wire or similar at the ana, tape the blade to the wood, wrap it with bubble wrap, pack tightly etc....... the wood will stop the tip hitting the end of the box or getting damaged.

I have seen swords with OLD NBTHK papers that the museum say today will not paper (i.e. the judgement was in error for some reason)........ That is one reason they changed to the new papers.

looks like a real sword to me. I would aggree it is Shinshinto at the oldest, possibly even early gendai. it is not possible to be accurate without seeing the sword but i would estimate it would bring 2-2500 at a sword show ( i sold a couple of 29" signed swords in Tampa for $3-4000). seems like a good deal, not sure i would polish it, might better to sell it and put the profit in something else (for shinshinto swords i would want them signed and dated to spend the money to polish and keep them).....my opinion

The price of machine made military swords has gone way up, but you can buy a old wakizashi sword (maybe even papered and polished) for less than they sold for 20 years ago. It seems low end stuff is going up, and top line items always go up, but mid range stuff is staying even, or even going down........at least that is my opinon

i do not think it is Chinese. Looks ok, but these swords have a wide range of quality, probably a lot were made by students........ This one does not look very impressive, and the "pitting" looks like a forging flaw to me, so i think it more a poor example than a modern fake

the translation does not have pictures either. so you need the book for comparision. I usually use the book to compare mei then look up the translation afterwards.

as Stephen asked i will pitch in........ yes they are rare and maybe will be this price or higher at a show. But you can buy the digital version for a lot less....... so you have to ask " do you collect books, or is this for use and reference" ??????

I agree the tsuba looks Higo. The tsuka looks like it was wrapped in early 1900's, the fuchi/kashira look antique, the menuki may not be "old". The saya has either been restored or it is modern. The blade looks newer than Shinto to me. The steel "looks" Showa era, but maybe it is the polish, the nakago looks to be either Showa or Shinshinto at the oldest.......... only my opinion based on pictures. The price seems fair.

I have listed some books, Blue Hawley's, and Mr. Tanobe's book, also some fittings and misc. Please tale a look, my seller i.d. is Mark!!1 many members know me, you can be confident the descriptions are reasonably accurate, if something is misrepresented i will gladly take it back. http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZmarkQ2 ... ooZ1QQrdZ0

you have it right 4 th month Showa 20 april 1945

maker looks to read Bizen Katsumitsu, the pictures are hard for me to see in detail, i can't make out the date...... from seeing the mei i would agree with the previous post, it looks VERY questionable to me

There is a book about the Yasukuni shirine swordsmiths. It says they were given Tamahagane and used this making swords at the shrine. Yasunobu is listed in the book, it gives his history and awards won etc.

As i mentioned i would not recommend anyone getting it polished. I agree that it is best for a militaria collector or someone who wants a Yasukuni for study at a reduced price. I do not think it has a fatal flaw, the chip is a serious concern but not through the temper line. I made sure i noted the chip in the description and showed pictures so everyone will know it is there.

I agree with Stephen, i think that i can be enjoyed as is, or with a touch up that would leave the chip. It is a part of history. The sword is in great shape (other than the chip) so i think it can even be cleaned and left as is (save polish cost).

I have seen blades with similar chips survive polish, but as i said i think it would change the shape of the blade a lot, it would end up looking like a slim old koto tachi instead of a gendai

my guess would be Nobukuni but i have no idea why there is a hole that takes out the first kanji, the other whole is closer to the blade so i would think this was the fisrt hole....... i like the mounts, they look great, I think you should sell this one to me,,, haha thanks for the pictures

thanks for teh link. i think the sword would be a lot slimmer if polished. it may be better just to appreciate it as is. It would be a good study piece. I guess the market will set the price and hopefully the new owner will enjoy it

I have listed a Yasukuni sword on ebay, if interested please see Item number: 220180279344 It is genuine, but as noted has a bad chip. It is listed with no reserve so maybe someoen will get a good deal. Thanks