Bruno

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.

Why it is so cheap? It is not a real nihonto but an iaito?

I found this about Yasuki steel, interesting... Yasuki steel A Japanese steel derived from iron sand which is known to be traditionally used in the making of the nihonto. Hitachi metals used a similar iron sand to produce a material called Yasuki steel originating in the mountain ranges of China. Yasuki steel can be divided into white, yellow, blue and silver. White steel 100% iron sand, has a few impurities such as phosphorus & sulphur. Yellow steel 50% iron sand. Contains much more impurities than white steel. Blue steel White steel mixed with chrome, tungsten & Carbon properties. Silver steel A type of stainless steel. Highly resistant to rust, but dulls rapidly. White steel is traditionally said to create the sharpest blade. The more pure the carbon steel is, it is harder to work as a metal. Additionally, it must be cooled rapidly or it will not produce the true potential of hardness. As a metalsmith, it is a steel which becomes a show of skill level to work with. Blue steel is white steel mixed with chrome & tungsten. The mixture improves workability, while the carbon helps it stay hard & sharp, its properties can be compared to new ceramic material. Ratings of the Yasuki steel go from 1 to 3. 1 is hardest while 3 contains more impurities, however, 1 chips easier. The softest is 3 yellow Yasuki steel & hardest is super blue (one above 1 blue steel).

I think it is due to the shape of the Type 3 kashira, a mon cannot be glued on it. Also they were made to be less flashy than Type 94/98 so probably a shiny piece of metal was not a good thing.

If you scratch it with you finger nail, you should know if it is natural or plastic same.