Nihonto? Japanese Naval sword for sale

[Jan Pirecki]

 Good evening everyone, 

I have run into this stunning Japanese naval sword for sale online, I have just requested additional photos of the Jihada from the seller. Sword supposedly signed Toshi Hide. Without the additional photos it is hard for my untrained eyes to determine wether it is a true nihonto or a showato, I would be grateful if anyone could help me in this puzzle.

 

grateful for all help, 

 

Jan 

Edited November 8 by Jan Pirecki

[ROKUJURO]

Jan,

for a comment, we need photos correctly oriented (tip-upwards, especially the NAKAGO) and close-ups of the NAKAGO without HABAKI.

At a first look, the blade does not seem to be stainless steel. 

Edited November 8 by ROKUJURO

[Jan Pirecki]

Thank you for your response, unfortunately I do not posses this piece myself, however I will ask for those photos too. 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Horii Toshihide was a very good Gendai smith, there is plenty of information about him on the board and online if you search his name. You would want closer pictures of the Mei and date for comparison to authentic examples. 

[Jan Pirecki]

I have been researching him online for the past morning, lots of interesting info as you suggested. I have managed to import better photos of the mei and blade, however the mei looks different from the ones I have seen elsewhere, but then again not being able to read Japanese, my opinion is of low merit. Seems like the blade might have traditional preserving oil that obscures the finer details. 

 

Once again grateful for all opinions, leaning gendai... 

[Jan Pirecki]

[Conway S]

The characters in the mei are incorrect for Horii Toshihide. A possible Showa smith using this mei is Toshihide (敏秀), real name Asai Kazue. Here is the excerpt from Markus Sesko’s Swordsmiths of Japan:

 

TOSHIHIDE (敏秀), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Toshihide” (敏秀), real name Asai Kazue (浅井一衛), born October 18th 1916, son of Toshimasa (敏正), he worked as guntō smith and died November 5th 1952

 

 

[Conway S]

It’s dated 二千六百二年 - 1942. 

[Jan Pirecki]

Thank you so much for your help, always better to know than to buy blindly. I have been scanning the web for more information on this smith, but it seems to be hard to come by, just waiting for close ups of the Jihada, Kissaki and Mei to be able to work out wether it is a real Gendaito as that’s what I’m looking for, the fittings are but a compliment. 

[charlesf]

I doubt that you will get a clear view of the jihada as it looks as though the blade has had a recent polish judging by the very shiny finish.

The owner has posted a message about this sale here on the board under 'Auctions and Online Sales',see 'upcoming auction' by Mike Noel,you might contact him for further information on this sword.

Regards,

              charles.

[Jan Pirecki]

Thanks Charles, that’s so helpful, just sent him a message now. 

[charlesf]

I would be interested in knowing the result as I checked this sword out but had a number of reservations about it.

There is a sword in kyu-gunto mounts by the same smith when he used 'Minamoto Hideaki' as his mei at Cadmore Auctions,lot 291,10th-12th November.

It looks genuine but is almost mu-zori,maybe a custom order,copy of a kinnoto?

30 years ago I owned a 'Hideaki' dated 1933 and bought off my old pal Yorkie for £1,400,he described it as "the best f**king gendaito I've ever seen"!!!

Gone now,sold when hard times struck.. . . .

best regards,

                      charles.

[Rawa]

I expect price around 3k£. IJA tassel

 

buyers premium 25% plus vat [33,6% total]

Edited Monday at 01:02 PM by Rawa

[charlesf]

Cadmore Hideaki offered at £2,600 and 'passed'.

 

charles.

[Rawa]

On 11/10/2025 at 2:08 PM, charlesf said:

Cadmore Hideaki offered at £2,600 and 'passed'.

 

charles.

3,8k£ ++ 

[charlesf]

Yes,I watched,you made a good call on price,well done!

 

charles.

[Rawa]

1 minute ago, charlesf said:

Yes,I watched,you made a good call on price,well done!

 

charles.

Imo too much with bpremium 5k£

Edited Tuesday at 05:40 PM by Rawa

[charlesf]

I agree,the buyer was obviously convinced that this was Horii Toshihide,I had some doubts . . . .  unless it was made just before he passed away when his work was not its best.

 

charles.

[Jan Pirecki]

3.8k plus 36% extras, 5.16k total,

I didn’t manage to win this time, but was lots of fun nevertheless. All the best everyone 😊

[Rawa]

2 hours ago, Jan Pirecki said:

3.8k plus 36% extras, 5.16k total,

I didn’t manage to win this time, but was lots of fun nevertheless. All the best everyone 😊

You evaded headshot my men 

[charlesf]

7 hours ago, Jan Pirecki said:

3.8k plus 36% extras, 5.16k total,

I didn’t manage to win this time, but was lots of fun nevertheless. All the best everyone 😊

Never mind,you've kept your powder dry for another adventure.

Did you see the Cadmore Hideaki has resurfaced?

best regards,

                      charles.

[Jan Pirecki]

Pardon me Charles, I thought that I had already replied for some reason. 
 

It is such a beautiful blade, the activity in the hamon, it’s both elegant and visually striking at the same time, such a nicely balanced sword. such a shame it is in Kyu Gunto mounts, I seem to have an aversion towards these let’s call them “transitional” sword mounts.

 

thanks for highlighting it for me though 😊 

 

kind Regards 

 

Jan 

[Jan Pirecki]

Just posting the close up photos I received from the auctioneer before it was sold off. 

Thought some would find them as eye pleasing as I did. 
 

Jan 

[ROKUJURO]

Jan,

the second photo is out of focus and thus useless. 

[Jan Pirecki]

Rokujuro

I know, I didn’t take it. 

[Bruce Pennington]

Thanks for sharing this, Jan.  Both the blade and the fittings are quite beautiful.  Those fittings were an upgrade, and for us Military sword collectors, quite desirable.  

 

A small clarification - "Kyu gunto" were the early, Western-styled sabers.  This is a navy "kaigunto" (Kai - navy; gunto - literally army sword, but it was used more commonly as "military sword").   

[vajo]

Beautiful sword. 

[charlesf]

18 hours ago, Jan Pirecki said:

Just posting the close up photos I received from the auctioneer before it was sold off. 

Thought some would find them as eye pleasing as I did. 
 

Jan 

This is the 'Toshihide' from the Mike Noel collection sold by Dore & Rees ?

regards,

              charles.

[charlesf]

4 hours ago, Bruce Pennington said:

Thanks for sharing this, Jan.  Both the blade and the fittings are quite beautiful.  Those fittings were an upgrade, and for us Military sword collectors, quite desirable.  

 

A small clarification - "Kyu gunto" were the early, Western-styled sabers.  This is a navy "kaigunto" (Kai - navy; gunto - literally army sword, but it was used more commonly as "military sword").   

Jan is referring to a different sword in another auction ;

 

charles.