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Is my WW2 Hizen Kuni Tadayoshi sword a fake?

JoeR1981

By JoeR1981
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JoeR1981 Apprentice

JoeR1981

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Hi everyone, i just bought a sword on eBay that the seller says is signed by Hizen No Kuni Tadayoshi.  It's a type 98 WW2 sword. The signature on the tang looks a little sloppy to me but im no expert and either is the seller. Can anyone lead me to the right conclusion?

edited_Screenshot_20230219_195538_eBay (1).jpg

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NewB Mentor

NewB

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Hello,

 

I'm not an expert, just someone to guide you through what is usually needed to have a good guess presented to you!

 

Photos of the blade shape (without fittings) in vertical shape, photos of the hardening of the tip and the overall tang shape plus the folded steel of the blade could lead to more educated guess. The mei is rather bold but it looks suspicious to me. Could be the the powder still in the Kanji..

 

Personally I've never seen gojimei Tadayoshi chiseled this way but I'm novice.

 

Hope this is a little bit of help to get a better more conclusive answer

 

J.

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NewB Mentor

NewB

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I m definitely far away from making a call - I'm a big fan of the school, hence my reply

 

I'd say gimei 

 

Also, Adding accurate dimensions could help greatly - cutting edge length, tip length, tang length and overall blade length .. the photos do not provide great insight .. 

 

J.

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NewB Mentor

NewB

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The Shodai works are rare and even in this economy keep their value. Arguably he was one of the most respected shinto smiths per the information I have. Google 'shodai tadayoshi' and check out sho-shin.com

 

Look how many families own the important works - that's a sign for something. 

 

J.

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JoeR1981 Apprentice

JoeR1981

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Absolutely.  I will do that, i respect the school enough to take a gamble on eBay so i def share your admiration!  Hey by the way, im holding on to hope here, i saw a few pics of authentic blades with the signature on the right hand side of the tang so you never know!

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NewB Mentor

NewB

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10 minutes ago, JoeR1981 said:

Absolutely.  I will do that, i respect the school enough to take a gamble on eBay so i def share your admiration!  Hey by the way, im holding on to hope here, i saw a few pics of authentic blades with the signature on the right hand side of the tang so you never know!

 

NTHK April Shinsa in Chicago !

 

Small investment for real answers..

 

 

https://nihonto.com/shodai-hizen-tadayoshi-初代肥前忠吉/

 

 

http://www.hizento.com/history-school-of-tadayoshi-1st-generation.php

 

 

J.

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Guest Simon R

Guest Simon R

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Hi Joe,

 

As it was years ago, I'm not sure where I copied the following two illustrations from (and so apologies to anyone if it is from their own publication). However, I thought it may shed some light on the signature style.

I should add that I myself, have zero knowledge of the intricacies of this school. 

4E3E03B1-7950-4045-85CE-50AD1D60F0DD.jpeg

BA8218D1-ED06-4300-8983-DD0C1D9BBFE6.jpeg

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Guest Simon R

Guest Simon R

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PS: this is a definitely genuine example which was appraised by Honami Koson in 1940 and appeared on the website www.hizento.net 19 years ago.

A7B8A123-E337-42AB-B1D9-259703FFE760.jpeg
(Also note the position of the menuki-ana to the right of the second kanji.)

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JoeR1981 Apprentice

JoeR1981

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David Flynn, you are making a lot of sense. I hope you are wrong though lol I believe it was an actual WW2 katana but not an actual Tadayoshi blade. I know a few countries got a hold of these things by the ton and everyone was trying to squeeze every penny out of them.

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NewB Mentor

NewB

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53 minutes ago, SRDRowson said:

PS: this is a definitely genuine example which was appraised by Honami Koson in 1940 and appeared on the website www.hizento.net 19 years ago.

A7B8A123-E337-42AB-B1D9-259703FFE760.jpeg
(Also note the position of the menuki-ana to the right of the second kanji.)

 

Just FYI

 

Mine's published.

 

J.

 

 

 

4555BBA6-ACFA-47C7-8196-B7FF3399B834.jpeg

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Brian

Brian

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If you buy a non papered Tadayoshi on eBay...then yes. You bought a gimei sword.
But the good thing is you paid gimei prices. Did you pay $5000+ for it? Nope.....then 100 other bidders knew it was gimei and passed.
No treasure hunting on eBay.
Also, the blade length is 64cm. That means it IS a katana. Not that it might be a long wakizashi. If it is 60.6cm or longer, you have a katana. These things aren't variable or subject to debate.
Yes, it's a real Japanese sword and yes...it went to war.

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