Hi All
I was not sure where to post this or to start. I am a collector who prefers (sorry) Napoleonic swords, but now have a few Japanese items thanks to some kind recommending Kiwi who got me into this a little. I have bought a number of books but still have problems with Mei and blade era / province recognition. I should mention also (having read the forum guides) I offer to sell everything I own (it is the only way I can keep collecting - I have around 150 swords); I am not a high volume seller / dealer and only do it as I said so I can continue to collect, to experience and hold different swords.
I recently bought a katana, a shin gunto with a bo-hi blade signed Ashu Ujiyoshi Saku. I have found a couple of web pages; http://www.touken.or.jp/english/nihon_koto_shi/(51)%20No.608.htm another my Kiwi friend found http://www.sho-shin.com/nan2.htm. I wanted to know though is this the same Ashu Ujiyoshi Saku?
OK, also, I wondered what the value likely was and could be. This is both for commercial reasons but also because this might be a "keeper" for me (some swords I own I am not very likely / willing to sell). I wanted to know whether I got a good deal (it cost me 1000 GBP all told) and whether I should a) invest in a polish and / or b) have the blade remounted (my instinct is to leave it in military mounts). I have another Katana undergoing polish at this time with Tony Norman in the UK if anyone knows of him. He is taking about 6 months right now. So I wonder if I should do the same with my bo-hi Ujiyoshi, whether the effect and value are worth it.
I hope I will upload an image of the katana but wonder if the file size may be too big.
Any help / advice appreciated.
