Help with a Tadayoshi 忠吉 刀

[vit]

Hello and thank you for your knowledge in advance !

I am currently in Japan (and will be here for the next couple of months) and found an antique store with a couple of Katanas.
Unfortunately, I do not have much knowledge when it comes to this topic.

I heard that there are many 'cheap' and mass produced swords out there, so I am afraid I am holding one of these in my hand, and not an authentic edo-sword.

The Kanji on the tang reads Tadayoshi  忠吉 

Sorry, I didn't take as many pictures!

The vendor is asking 260.000 Yen for this piece. Does this sound reasonable ? 

It comes in a Shirasaya only.

 

Thank you very much for your help !

 

[Ray Singer]

Vit, the blade is signed Tadayoshi as is indeed an authentic Edo period sword. However there were many blades with gimei (fake inscriptions) from the Hizen Tadayoshi school and I could suggest holding for something with papers (kanteisho) which this does not have. The attached document is simply a torokusho sword license and does not authenticate the inscription or give any type of attribution for the sword.

[vit]

Interesting. Thank you very much!

 

I assume a fake Tadayoshi, even from the Edo period, does not hold the same value, but does that mean its automatically worthless ?

The vendor also added that a wavy hamon would be something only modern (or post Edo) blacksmiths are adding. 
That sounds a bit odd, right?

 

[oli]

How long is the blade?

[klee]

Certainly not worthless since it is still an authentic nihonto.

 

And depending on the blade condition/size 260,000 yen is quite resonable esp for a long blade. I wouldnt mind paying that if I loved a blade that I knew was gimei.

 

 

[vit]

On the Torokusho it says 72 (I assume cm?)

[oli]

It depends how big is your budget. Blade with papers would be better as beginner, books should be the first to start. In Japan you have the opportunity  to study a lot of nice swords in museums. Don't miss this opportunity. And also look into other sword shops. 

Edited April 8 by oli

[Ray Singer]

32 minutes ago, vit said:

On the Torokusho it says 72 (I assume cm?)

Yes, Nagasa: 72.0cm. The fact that it is daito length and signed katana-mei (on the katana side of the nakago) is not a good sign as far as being a legitimate mainline Hizen-to. 

[oli]

I don't think it's a Hizen Tadayoshi Gimei, I think it only a lesser known smith, what used the same name. But to be sure, you must send it to a Shinsa (NBTHK, NTHK)

[vit]

Thank you very much !

 

Unfortunately I do live in Southend Japan and Shinsa is far away.

 

I will think about the purchase and confront the seller if he has any other form of documentation.