Firstdive

Ok...since I came into this Nihonto science, I thought it´s very choatic, but for me it seems this is only cause eveything is in Books, wich is fine, I love books, but it`s very hard to find even an index of the Token Bijutsu, in which issue, which Nihonto is appriciated. Also as a beginner which only has a Gimei Katana, who wants to know more about it, it`s almost impossible to even come close to a valid answer. Am I wrong, or would a Table/Spreadsheat/Database, which holds every smith and his corresponding properties, and possible variations, could help a lot to find fitting smiths? For example, within the search mask, everybody could enter, Sori, shape, messurements, Boshi Type, Nakago details and so on. The more features entered, the shorter gets the list of possible Smiths. Eventually combined with Links, Pictures, and references to Books with recognized originals of this Smith. It would be also a great learnig source and centralization of knowledge thats otherwise almost impossible to get. Do I oversimplify things here?

ok, nice to know! Where can I find that?

Incredible for what things to look for, and next to that I think there is a lot of ancestry and history knowledge neccessary, to even know wich one has even the possibility of a Dai-Mei. Is it believed they did that for the reason to differentiate from the Master? Or in other Words, was that common for every/most Dai-Mei? Are there tables wich represent the actual believed ancestrys, and connections of ancient Smiths?

I fully believe that. Are these minor diffrences or is it pretty visible a student has signed it? When such a Sword gets to NBTHK, is it requiered to send proof of that, to get the certificaton?

Thanks! I haven`t seen that, and all the other treasures in there

Thanks @Jacques for pointing that out! I would never have seen that, or better I would have told myself this is variation. But it looks like, I´m missjudging the precision of these ancient Smiths massivly

Hi..again, I searched this Forum about a Guide or something similar, for taking Pictures of a Nihonto. Setup, Lightning for different purposes, ideal Lenses etc. Am I too stupid, or does anyone of you knows a good recource for this subject? Thanks in advance Jörg

Thanks @Rawa :-)

Hi together, Sorry for my late reply, I wasn`t expecting that much :-) Thanks for all your efforts. This helps me a lot, and is a great learning resource. Almost a little like a community, online Shinsa But with a lot more information. With all this resources, thanks @CSM101, it`s easy to see, where the difference in Boshi is. And I could also just see the different spacing between the Kanji after @Jacques mentioned it. This really helps to get the neccesary feeling where to look, and how close it has to be. Can you say something about the quality or age of the Blade, since obviously there are alomst no not Gimei Swords coming to the west, this looks like the only way to own and study a at least authentic Katana!? Best wishes to everyone Jörg PS: How can I reffer to a user? (solved)

Hi, Here is a Katana wich is described as Tadahiro 肥前國住近江大掾藤原忠廣. For me it looks pretts legit. I compared the Mei with items I found online https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2024/art-of-Japan/a-hizen-katana-signed-hizen-kuni-ju-omi-no-daijo https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-4461872 Can someone Help me please?

Thanks a lot for all your very nice help! You gave me a more realistic estimation of the Sword without shattering my Heart. I understand now, getting a uncertified Sword espacieally from Japan, can`t be a Masterpeice, but for me this was an important point to meet, since from China had me even think more about what it really is, and from the US would mostly mean it`s likely came there through WW2. I can now appriciate the Sword for what it really ist, rather then thinking what it possible could be. Great Community here!

I fully believe everyone, and it doesn`t change how much I like it. But what Points indicate that? 1. The Mei doesn`t look probably Chisseled and 2. is on the wrong side of the Nagako (3.) Since it`s from Japan, it´s not realistic to believe it`s not already Judged and for the sake of learnig, is there more? but, the remaining Parts of the Sword are looking like an Original Kagemitsu should look? Can I see it as an antique Replica, like a good, antique Copy of, for example an Van Gogh, wich has the signature in the upper left corner? Made about in the 16th Century?

Thanks a lot for the Pictures, it`s really hard to get good ones, and I can see now the difference At least someone, also not too bad, tried to make a real copy, and not only chisseld a famous name on an piece of Junk. A lot better than a "Kill Bill" Replica

ok, it could be worse :-) If it`s a Gimei, it makes no sense to send it to Japan for NBTHK, but since you suggest it`s still an old Blade, is there a way to determine, roughly, how old it really is? I love to think about the ages it´s gone through, and I want to tell people the truth if I someone asks.

So the only concern you have, is the same as I have...It´s simply too good to be true?