Bruno

When you say short cuts, you mean short cuts of tamahagane, or it could be another material? Certainly, but it is also a matter of semantics. When I say shinsakuto I mean real nihonto forged nowadays whereas it litteraly means a newly made sword. And by iaito I mean a practise sword blunt or not, not made with tamahagane. It is like when one says "showato" to talk about WW2 non traditionnaly made swords, but litteraly showato means sword of the Showa era.

I think Chris was thinking I was talking about NTHK/NBTHK paper but in fact I meant a kind of certficate that prove it is Mukansa.

Hi Eric, Glad you saw it too when Mankusa photos were available. I read Chris's indications to differenciate iaito and shinsakuto true nihonto, and must say that it is hard to tell if you do not have it in hand. Well at least to me (even in hand I am not sure to make the difference! :D ) So you beleive it was a real nihonto and not iaito? In that case yes it could be a bargain. I beleive on Ebay people have a price limit they would not have with others professionnal dealers. That is why this Mankusa wether iaito or real nihonto could not have been sold much more on Ebay.

Thanks Chris and Henk Jan, In fact what I wanted to be sure was if living licenced Japanese swordsmiths are making or not both kind of swords: what I call iaito (not made with tamahagane but maybe in the traditionnal way) that could very much ressemble a true nihonto, AND of course what I maybe wrongly call shinsakuto ie true nihonto. Now I have my answer. They make the 2 types. As Chris said, there are clues to tell wether it is iaito or nihonto, but it seems dangerous to judge on photos. I I am surprised that these iaito are at this price range, whereas a nihonto shinsakuto which starting price range seems to be around 10K in first hand, can descreases in second hand. One can expect it can easily reach the price of a new iaito ($4000-$7000), right? Of course this does not concern I guess shinsakuto nihonto by higher smiths which original price is in the 15K/20K. Not that I am looking to buy one of those on Ebay, my goal is more to know what is what and at what price.

Dear Henk Jan, Thanks for your detailed answer. Maybe is not that simple... About the iaito...no, not alloy blade...proper handmade blade, but maybe not tamahagane...these blades can be used for iaito kata exercises, like cutting bundle of straw etc...about 4/5000 dollars. The alloy blade is just for decoration sword...not sharp, so no licence needed in Japan. Why they sometimes sell cheap, I don't know...that is why one needs to see them in the hand...this linked one below is made by Mukansa...but no papers. One would expect a blade made by a smith of mukansa level to have papers (because his work is special), so no papers means maybe iaito? http://www.ebay.com/itm/130666605200?ss#ht_715wt_724 So, 1° Is a iaito can be sold in that price range ie 4000/7000 USD, if sold as "iaito" and not as shinsakuto? 2° Is it true a shinsakuto which is not new can lost the half of its original price after some yeras? (I would be surprised of that). 3° Do licenced Japanese swordsmiths are making lower quality swords iaito, traditionnaly made but not with tamahagane? (for example the 2 swords linked above) Thanks for your help

Hi all, I rarely open topic but something is not clear to me. I have seen these swords and some others these past months on Ebay. I have always been told these modern swords shinsakuto cost around 15 000/20 000 USD. So why, these two ones are so cheap if there are shinsakuto? In fact, are they iaito made by licenced Japanese smiths? If yes, an iaito can cost such money? Finaly, is it usual that licenced Japanese swordsmiths make also iaito and not only shinsakuto? I asked seller if they were iaito or shinsakuto but he answered he had no clue to tell. What do you guys think? Are they copies, "expensive" iaito or cheap shinsakuto, bargain? I linked 2 but many appears on Ebay, dated in the 70s to 90s form what I remember. Very often sold by the same seller. http://www.ebay.com/itm/140729922934?ss ... 1423.l2649 http://www.ebay.com/itm/130666605200?ss ... _715wt_724 PS: From what year/date one can tell a sword is a gendaito and not a shinsakuto and vice versa? Thanks for your help.

A bit off topic, but presently there are a few modern swords for sale by a famous seller on Ebay.These swords are new but the price quite cheap. I have always been told these modern swords shinsakuto cost around 15 000/20 000 USD. So why for example, these two ones are so cheap? Are they iai to made by good smiths? If yes, an iai to can cost such money? I asked seller if they were iai to or shinsakuto but he answered he had no clue to tell. What do you guys think? Are they copies, "expensive" iai to or cheap shinsakuto? PS: From what year/date one can tell a sword is a gendaito and not a shinsakuto and vice versa? http://www.ebay.com/itm/140729922934?ss ... 1423.l2649 http://www.ebay.com/itm/130666605200?ss ... _715wt_724 Thanks

What kind of sword copy was it: koto, shinto....shinsakuto? I would think modern swords are easier to copy as one does not have the patina issue, natural wear of use etc... Does anybody know if they copy every styles and every periods? Thanks

What kind of steel was used to make this type of sword? Is it tamahagane, Yasuki steel or something else?

Hmmmm interesting....Please Stephen post close up of the blade for us.

I knew I had seen this shape of nakago from a Yasukuni smith before, just could not remember whose. May one says Stephen's sword have been forged by a Yasukuni smith? Or this type of nakago was made also made by many others gendai smiths?

The nakago shape ressembles to the ones of the Yasukuni's smiths. Anybody else came to the same remark?

Interesting topic...I do like to read more. Come on guys!

Hi Stephen, If I find the book I ship it directly to you. I do appreciate your offer but cannnot accept it. I advise you soon. Regards

I would not be surprised then, that the envelopp is in custom warehouse waiting for an invoice to be cleared. It can take more than a month without you or the consignee be aware of the situation. If so, you will have to provide a Word format commercial invoice with you as shipper etc....and forward it to consignee. Then consignee will send it to customs for the envelopp to be cleared.

One thing that might happened is that the parcel is at customs warehouse for inspection. If Stephen did not put an invoice on the box, they cannot do the customs clearance and they take their time to claim it. I do not know if this can happen when it is a private person (Stepehen) and not a company who sells the item, but it is possible. Anyway, I will ask LA POSTE this saturday to sort this matter out.

Yes guys sorry for the weird post! I was just trying to help a friend.....

Very nice (engraved)nakago Chris. Too bad there is a second hole. Do you have others photos of the blade?

OK so not a great tanto then, at least the nakago looks good and price fair. Thanks

Hi all, I was looking at Ebay and saw this tanto. To be clear, I am not interested in buying it. This is this unusual nakago that surprised me. Is it common to find such shape? Does it have a name or is it a shortened wakizashi? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-Tanto- ... 3a7023132d Thanks

That is right Chris. According to George, this Yoshichika's real name is Yoshioka Kojiro, registered as a swordmaker at Seki, Gifu Prefecture on Sho18/04/26 (1942 April 26)..one of 232 such swordmakers at Seki through WWII. I was just a bit surprised to see 3 exemples of his work in 2 days whereas I have almost never seen one in 5 years.

3 YOSHICHIKA in 2 days!? Is he a famous smith or what?

Forget this noble idea, you will never find the original owner's family. Just take care of it.

I think he is the same guy. One of the numerous seki kaji tosho.

Yoshichika I think.