Family Heirloom Koto Blade WW2 Naval Wakizashi

[ROKUJURO]

4 minutes ago, Rhizosphere said:

He does except returns. I paid $1400. Did i get ripped off? Part of the reason I bought it is because I thought it had WW2 history along with being a real Japanese sword. I do want to collect tsuba though. Is it easy find one that fits? Along with saya? Seems difficult. 

Does he except returns or does he accept returns?

For better parts, you are not in a hurry. TSUBA are easily fitted to a blade. This was often done in a SAMURAI's life. SAYA is a bit tricky but as often in life, patience helps. We have kind and helpful dealers here on NMB.





 

[Tensho]

Did you buy it off ebay? Who it was from may be a good indicator of what all was pieced together. It appears to be a jumble of parts. 

[Rhizosphere]

8 minutes ago, Tensho said:

Did you buy it off ebay? Who it was from may be a good indicator of what all was pieced together. It appears to be a jumble of parts. 

Yes. From CoffeeWithBoston. 

[Rhizosphere]

10 minutes ago, ROKUJURO said:

Does he except returns or does he accept returns?

For better parts, you are not in a hurry. TSUBA are easily fitted to a blade. This was often done in a SAMURAI's life. SAYA is a bit tricky but as often in life, patience helps. We have kind and helpful dealers here on NMB.





 

Accepts returns. Thanks for the info.

[Tensho]

40 minutes ago, Rhizosphere said:

Yes. From CoffeeWithBoston. 

Okay, I thought it looked familiar. I do not know the seller, but looking at some of the items, they are "put" together. I can tell on another sword the saya mouth isn't cut for the habaki. Probably explains all the scratches and saya rubbing on most of the blades. 

 

FWIW, not unheard of in the collecting world of WWII era swords. A lot of swords came back with no saya, wrong saya, missing tsuka, seppa etc.. I've heard numerous stories of guys going to gun shows with tables full of gunto parts. You could walk in with a sword with no saya or tsuka and walk out with one that "fits" good enough.

[Rivkin]

I appreciate the vote of confidence, but I see the same - there are some issues, though shintetsu like this is probably not a great problem here - it does look like a typical sue Bizen in suguha.

[PNSSHOGUN]

If you're after an original WWII sword then getting a return would be a good idea. There is a huge amount to learn about Japanese swords and original Gunto fittings, as you're likely well aware now. 

 

 

[Marcin]

2 hours ago, Rhizosphere said:

He does except returns. I paid $1400. Did i get ripped off. Part of the reason I bought it is because I thought it had WW2 history along with being a real Japanese sword. I do want to collect tsuba though. Is it easy find one that fits. Along with saya? Seems difficult. 

Go for return men. Buy gendaito katana not on ebay but on some gunshow. (You see it in hand)

Ask guys where and from whom. First blade is better not to making headaches.

I’m giving here 3 recent examples from ebay -sold probably for one person at once, from same seller.

You buy a sword not a price tag.

 

https://ebay.us/m/Es8XnV

Kanenobu

https://ebay.us/m/Q6JMat

Mantetsu /non-traditional/

https://ebay.us/m/4uZKYd Nagamitsu

 

Edited December 25, 2025 by Rawa

[Rhizosphere]

On 12/24/2025 at 7:38 PM, Rawa said:

Go for return men. Buy gendaito katana not on ebay but on some gunshow. (You see it in hand)

Ask guys where and from whom. First blade is better not to making headaches.

I’m giving here 3 recent examples from ebay -sold probably for one person at once, from same seller.

You buy a sword not a price tag.

 

https://ebay.us/m/Es8XnV

Kanenobu

https://ebay.us/m/Q6JMat

Mantetsu /non-traditional/

https://ebay.us/m/4uZKYd Nagamitsu

 

I returned it. But now I have a little over $2000-2400 to spend on, preferably, a papered Muromachi Wakizashi. Any suggestions?

[Natichu]

1 hour ago, Rhizosphere said:

I returned it. But now I have a little over $2000-2400 to spend on, preferably, a papered Muromachi Wakizashi. Any suggestions?

I may have something that fits the bill that I'm debating parting with. Am tied up for the next few days but want to shoot me a PM? Hozon, late Muromachi, shobu zukuri. 

 

Otherwise there are a few good options (at least to my beginner mind) in the for sale section here on NMB. Would also recommend checking out Touken Komachi as Tsukada-san is great to work with and she has quite a few reasonably priced offerings: 

 

https://www.toukenkomachi.com/index_en_tachi&katana.html

[PNSSHOGUN]

As you've found out it's all too easy to spend large sums on very little. Invest in some patience now and decide what really interests you. 

[Marcin]

1 hour ago, Natichu said:

I may have something that fits the bill that I'm debating parting with. Am tied up for the next few days but want to shoot me a PM? Hozon, late Muromachi, shobu zukuri. 

 

Otherwise there are a few good options (at least to my beginner mind) in the for sale section here on NMB. Would also recommend checking out Touken Komachi as Tsukada-san is great to work with and she has quite a few reasonably priced offerings: 

 

https://www.toukenkomachi.com/index_en_tachi&katana.html

Tariffs are lifted? Some boyz from states should help him with blade being in states imo.

@Rhizosphere I don’t want to take this burden as our situation is different.

You have great opportunities as american.

Avoid ebay imo and buy in person/put your request in „wanted to buy” tab here.

Invest in nagayama „connoisseur’s book of Japanese swords” at first.

[Ian B3HR2UH]

I am glad you returned it as it was a pretty poor sword . Now as John suggests take your time .