Hagire Or Ware On The Nakago?

[Hastur]

Wierd looking mark, it seems to be on one side only and I show a picture with light shining in it. I would like an unbiased opinion though if it's just a ware or not.

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Brad,

Looks like a forging flaw and since it's in the nakago and one side only it isn't serious.

Grey

[Hastur]

As long as it is nothing fatal I am happy. Here is the original aoi art picture from the first owner.

[ggil]

Could be a hagire, as this point would experience a significant amount of stress in actually use. It would be pretty easy for a polisher to conceal one side of it, although why would only one side be concealed? Makes no sense so maybe just a forge flaw

[Hastur]

Here is the full write up they did. Has aoi art sold swords with hagire before without mentioning it?

[ROKUJURO]

In my opinion, this is a forging flaw. As it is in a critical position, you should not take the sword to war. Otherwise for collecting it is certainly o.k. If it disturbs you a lot, you can have that fixed by a TOGISHI so you don't see it any longer.

[vajo]

Its on both sides?

[Guido]

By definition, a hagire can only occur in the ha (hence *ha*gire). This is a welding flaw - not desirable, but I also wouldn't loose any sleep over it.

[Hastur]

Okay, thank you for your opinion guys!

[Surfson]

I agree that if it is only on one side it is not a problem.  However, there does seem to be some wear just above that point of this flaw where there once was a habaki I believe, indicating that the sword is probably machiokuri.  In this case, it is actually possible that at one point that flaw was at or very near the hamachi.