StephenJN

To clarify also, not wishing to give the wrong impression. I am a boilermaker of rather modest means at the end of my career - old enough to have missed out on the serious coin now inherent in the trades industry in my country. (Some trades weren't well paid in the past where i live, how times change.) I'm always learning, but my knowledge on weapons and armour of the past has been largely eurocentric. I appreciate the craft and understand the labour and effort involved in making anything in steel, which (along with my wallet) hopefully explains my interest in things that others may consider sub-par or sub-optimal. I'm even starting to become familiar with some of the terms.. Regards, Steve.

Just the blade and nakago - Toshin Co., Ltd. / Mumei (Shimosaka) - 6-088 I found the link on NihontoWatch website and have no idea on the veracity of listing. My apologies to all also - I have only realised since posting that this is not the right place to list this kind of enquiry. Regards - Steve.

Thank you to everyone for your input. Having done a little more internet sleuthing, I have found one can purchase Yari in Japan with Hozon in polished condition for as little as ¥132 000. Of course, one can also spend significantly more. I have noticed before in woodworking forums, people have discussed wanting to use urushi for a project - the advice has generally been not to, not due to any issues with finish or quality, but merely due to the time, complexity of process, and the unfriendly nature of urushiol. Clearly lasts well though. Again, thanks to you all.

Thank you for your knowledge Rokujuro - Seems the lacquer holds on well despite potential age. They ask $275 US, a small amount hence my curiousity I guess. It is sad to me that history can have such little monetary value at times, though I understand that items in poor condition are what they are. (And a fire sale indeed perhaps!)

Thank you Rokujuro, It is not an object I own, but one for sale. (In Japan) I find it interesting but lack the knowledge to assess it in any way whatsoever. I am particularly curious regarding the red stripe in the underside "fuller"? Apologies in advance for my ignorance.

Wow, that just blows my mind. It's not a lot of money for an object that's possibly 300+ years old, even if it wasn't made particularly well or by someone notable. And it was an object that was important to many people along the way to look after it, for a very long time.. Genuine european sabres and swords of lesser vintage can cost more (though I guess there's probably fewer of them.)

Sorry to interrupt, and I hope I'm not derailing this thread - but I do have a question regarding Low End Nihonto. I see stores on Ebay such as Katana nihonto (based in Japan) selling "Antique real Japanese Samurai sword"s signed by various makers for what are ridiculously cheap. I assume they are all Gimei, (they have no papers) but are they even real? Are "fake" swords sold out of Japan? Or are they just low end swords in bad condition made by nobodies (of note), but genuinely old? Were/are there a lot of unremarkable but old nihonto floating around in Japan? Apologies in advance for my ignorance. Antique real Japanese Samurai long sword Katana signed Kiyomitsu saku #354 | eBay Australia Antique real Japanese Samurai sword Katana Wakizashi signed Narimune #369 | eBay Australia