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Very interesting to see a Type 95 sword without sarute. I see them this way in the market very often, but kind of assumed that they had been removed relatively recently. Looks like a Tokyo example. Thanks for sharing, Best, -Sam

應鈴木照雲師求源天秀鍛之 – Responding to the order from Rev. Suzuki Shoun, Minamoto Amahide forged this. I am unsure about 求.

I understand your position on comments and links in sale posts, it's perfectly reasonable. The NMB is just the platform and buyers are responsible for doing their own research before making a purchase. But, please dont be coy regarding this sale as if there is any question what happened here. It isnt about WHO is right or wrong, it's about someone using words to describe something, it is not. No forging flaws....No kite-ware and No kizu are absolute statements, PERIOD. The structure of that statement says very clearly that the blade has been inspected and those attributes are absent. The damage to the kissaki and the rust can both be explained beyond a reasonable doubt, which is why I can ignore them. However, 10cm and 25cm obvious flaws in the mune are impossible to miss and everyone who has ever oiled or maintained a blade knows it. NMB may not be able to sanction or step in on private sales, nor should it, but it CAN decide not turn a blind eye to obvious misrepresentation and dismiss it as something lesser. That is precisely the type of oxygen shady sellers rely on to continue selling irresponsibly unencumbered. Remember, all this seller had to do was NOT make an absolute statement. All he had to say was, "minor forging flaws" or "no flaws visible, but IM BLIND and cant see anything under 2.5cm in length". He chose NOT to do this which clearly shows either extreme carelessness or an intent to deceive. Either one, IMO, is contemptible.

I agree: Masauji Saku. Grey

長船 Osafuné 郷 normally read as Gō Heavy? One kilogram or more? Be careful though as there are many Sukenaga fakes, making for a wide disparity in values. The real Sukenaga worked around 1830-1850 ish

Excellent example of an NCO tassel that has had the end 'cap' undone, or never crimped at all. Found by Marcin, @Rawa:

1 WWII Japanese Army Sword available. This Army Officer shin gunto sword is mounted with an old Samurai family blade. This sword would make an important addition to any collection. An IJA Officer either brought his family’s blade to an armorer to be mounted in WWII shin gunto mounts for the war, or chose and purchased an old Samurai blade from the armorer for his sword. The blade is from the Shinto period, and is handsomely signed ‘Yoshikuni’. The blade nagasa is 21 13/16″ (55.4 cm). The saya is wood with a leather combat cover. The armorer added a throat fitting to the wood saya that allows the tsuka’s locking mechanism to catch and function. The armorer also added the usual Army hanger fitting, and fixed it in place with banded wire and simple sheet metal surround around the saya and fitting to hold it firmly. The sarute is made of silk. CONDITION: The WWII Japanese Army Sword is in a beautiful state of polish. There are absolutely no weld openings of any kind on the blade. This is a beautiful blade! The tsuka is in perfect condition–and still with its original silk sarute. The leather combat cover has surface crazing, but is in solid condition. A fine sword for any collector. $1750 obo --Matthew Brice https://stcroixblades.com/home/

I would prefer a video file to see the condition of the blade and confirm owner has possession.

This looks like a very nice blade but it would be nice to have some actual measurements. to add to the information. Wonder why the entire signature is filled gold and not even an award or a cutting test?

More on the contrary. Clean evenly build jigane can be found not only in highest ranked blades. I don’t want to stray You from the path more likely to show You other maybe equally good or better route. Clean and fat, not longest around but shogunate forced max length of swords. It’s hard for me to even point any particular swordsmith. It will always find both sides of community. Someone pointed a need to use 3rd party with this kind of buy.

Sounds Like a recommendation. Honestly for me Difficult to See the true Value. Maybe u can give me more Information about your prediction. Thank u

Ernie @Stegel has one (or is it 2) coppers with original brass-ended saya with what appears to be original welded-on drags. I don't recall serial numbers, but he believes them to be possible transitions to the newer styled saya with drag.

Inoue Shinkai. Dated Enpo roku nen ni hatsu hi. (井上真改 / 延宝六年二月日 - A day in the second month of the 6th year of Enpō, 1678) Echigo no kami Kanesada, made with nanbantetsu. Sagami no kuni Tsunahiro, dated Bunka go nen hachi gatsu hi (相模国綱廣 / 文化五年八月日 - a day in the eighth month of the 5th year of the Bunka era, 1808)

Helo Zhangshilong: I'm no expert. But since the answers to the questions are both objective and subjective, I'll offer my opinion. What is a true netsuke? Objectively, a netsuke is an ornamental device that attaches to a cord for the purpose of holding another object to an obi or belt. With that definition, it can be literally anything. Subjectively, netsuke represent an art form. And like all art, it's beauty is in the eye of the beholder. When I think of netsuke as a collector, I picture an historical object. I also tend to confine my collection to those objects made in Japan, since I collect Japanese items. This isn't to say that those items made elsewhere are not artistic, or not valuable, or not of high quality. I just prefer to collect those made in Japan and are at least 100 years old (how we define an antique). I think the reason for my collecting preferences are because of established provenance. Modern art, in any form, doesn't usually carry the value or prestige of older art because the artists are not yet established as "masters" of their craft. Some probaby are - and will be designated as such in the future. But for me, modern pieces do not have the same attraction as those that are antiques. I'm sure others will disagree, however I wanted to give just one collector's perspective. John C. 约翰 C.

I’m certainly learning from all the thoughtful responses by our generous members. That said, I do have some concern that many of these detailed replies appear to be directed toward content from the OP that seems heavily AI generated. Using AI as a translation tool is one thing, but in this case the posts across a couple threads now read more like fully generated responses rather than translated personal communication. I do appreciate the expertise people are contributing, and I only mention this because every “thank you” reply so far appears largely copy-pasted from an AI prompt... For a purchase of this caliber; I would personally feel a more sincere form of engagement would go a long way. Sorry if my views toward AI are a bit strict; but all this just gives me cause for concern... When this happens; it can be really hard to distinguish between what could be a bot, versus what could be a sincere inquiry. -Sam

I would agree with this, if you agree its far more important for a seller to ACCURATELY describe their item for sale in the first place instead of trying to deceive a buyer with poor pictures and false descriptions.

All Variation#1 Type 95 swords have a brass plug instead of the flared drag. On the earliest examples of Variation#1 swords the brsss plug is horseshoe shaped, and later examples it’s squared off. I’m not aware of, and do not believe there are any exceptions. Congrats on the sale Dan, All the best, -Sam

https://www.bonhams.com/auction/32178/lot/76/soshu-tsunahiro-xiii-yamamura-sozaburo-died-1886-a-massive-hocho-style-wakizashi-edo-period-1615-1868-dated-1855/ Motohaba is a quarter of the nagasa...

Gets later and later every year. Soon it's gonna be a Xmas show. I liked the end of Oct, beginning Nov. Great weather. Hmmm

.......Dated 1865 and signed Yoshiteru, .5 in thick at the motogasane. I would like to see pictures of other ones that anyone might have. http://s831.photobucket.com/albums/zz238/estcrh/Antique%20samurai%20yoroi-doshi%20tanto/