Leaderboard

Sorry, it is a Chinese reproduction. Probably made within the last thirty years.

Hi Forrest, welcome to the forum! Unfortunately I have to agree with everyone else, this does look like either a homemade blade, or one built to intentionally deceive. Quite a few of us started the same way, buying a fake and then getting introduced to the world of Nihonto and wartime blades the hard way, do so don't give up hope - they are out there! Hopefully you didn't pay too much for it... I'd heavily advise reading up on as many threads in the forum as you can - you'll be able to train your eye pretty quickly about what a type 95 or type 98 etc should look like. Also, did you remove the tsuka wrap? Hopefully not something you'd do on a real ww2 relic 😅

That’s why it is confusing CET vs CEST. Midnight CET is 01 am CEST so bidding could be like last minute snipe. But yeah lets go with first bid with 20$ and I will add another 5$ so We get same amount and no dissapointment on any side. Especially first bid was made at 14th. @Marius 35$ from me. Donation already made via paypal. @Brian paypal gives you Rands? I exchanged for 600 R and paypal took 35$ so I have 17,48 R left. Do You have something like revolut? great multi currency account. So simple cheap wire transfer.

Of course Brian is right. We are not too strict here.. However, #7. Shumi no Nihontō, has been bid for before the deadline. So it goes to Dan K. Sorry Nathaniel… Now, may I ask the winners to transfer the offered amounts to Brian? Upon confirmation of receipt by Brian, I will proceed with the shipping. Again, many many thanks to all

Great turnout last weekend, thanks to all for coming!

The only Yoshimochis of note are Fukuoka Ichimonji so it doesn't need to be qualified here. If they thought the mei was legit but belonged to some other, less well-known Yoshimochi, then they would add a qualifier in brackets.

It was sold for 4.2 million yen, or roughly $26,000.

Huge thanks guys, to you all, and especially Marius. You guys are the reason we can do what we do. Payment received from all the above. Marcin, I keep all the Paypal in $'s in a balance. Withdrawing in SA is complicated and expensive, so I keep it in $'s and make sure all the hosting etc I take accept Paypal, and I just use it to pay bills. Never withdrawn any, it pays all the bills directly and in $'s. Paypal would screw me bigtime if I withdrew, they make money on everything including their fees they take to withdraw. Bad enough I lose fees accepting all donations. Thanks guys!

Awataguchi Tadatsuna(2nd) Katana (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon) A refined katana attributed to the second-generation Awataguchi Ōmi no Kami Tadatsuna, one of the prominent Osaka masters of the Edo period. Details: • Period: Mid Edo (1688-1704) • Province: Settsu • Certification: NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token • Mounting: Koshirae + Shirasaya Dimensions: • Blade length: 71.2 cm (2 shaku 3 sun 5 bu) • Curvature: 2.0 cm • Mekugi-ana: 1 • Motohaba / Kasane: 32.3 mm / 7.4 mm • Sakihaba / Kasane: 22.2 mm / 5.2 mm The blade reflects the refined character of Osaka workmanship, with elegant proportions and a composed, well-balanced sugata that sits naturally in hand. The koshirae is thoughtfully assembled, centered around a rare polished same (ray skin) saya, paired with shakudō nanako fuchi-kashira and aoi menuki. Akasaka-style sukashi tsuba completes the mounting, bringing a sense of quiet strength and cohesion. Altogether, the mounting presents with understated sophistication, enhancing the blade without overpowering it. $16,000 https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15YCFRog4WH2x76ZN4iy-uxWKdhSQujKk?usp=sharing

Very generous Marcin, and glad that the forum is getting the support either way! Many thanks.

its not Japanese its not ww2 its a horrible pile of junk

59th Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival - sword display

Conway has got it, and with good advice on the oil. I use camellia oil also. It’s listed as “Type 19 Company Grade Cavalry Officer’s Dress Sword” in Dawson’s in chapter 8 page 104. Dawson states at the chapters beginning that on July 6th 1886 this sword was introduced exclusively for cavelry officers; and was a modification of the Type 8 riding sword for officers. * * Dawson, Jim. Swords of Imperial Japan, 1868–1945. Cyclopedia ed. Newnan, Ga.: Stenger-Scott Publishing, 2007. The chapter shows a few different blade types for this style of sword, even a German blade example. I imagine this is one of Suya Shoten’s blade profile options? Best, -Sam

（When artists of the Kanō school depicted Mongolians, they often showed scenes of polo played on horseback or hunting scenes.） Canon Tsuzuri Project/韃靼人狩猟・打毬図屏風　伝 狩野宗秀 Tatars Playing Polo and Hunting　Attributed to Kanō Sōshū The reasons I think the figures depicted are Mongolian people are that the clothing appears Mongolian in style, the bows and arrows are short and have distinctive shapes, and it depicts a mounted archery technique typical of nomadic peoples, where the rider turns backward while shooting. Watching the video below makes it easy to understand the differences in archery techniques between Japan and Mongolia. (This is a yabusame 流鏑馬event held at a shrine in Fukuoka Prefecture, where members of the Mongolian Horseback Archery Association were invited.) youtube / a yabusame 流鏑馬

While still retaining a decent motokasane measurement of 0.61cm the hamachi is almost non existent. The motohaba is quite narrow too at 2.55cm. The offset at the hamachi and munemachi is a little concerning. Even so a couple of bids have been placed for the sword and it'll sell because it has a signature, NBTHK papers authenticating the Mei and its ubu.

Gentlemen, thank you very much for making this auction happen. I am very grateful. I send messages re how to pay and where to ship to to Brian and Marius, respectively. Best, Danny

This style blade is based on the British Wilkinson Pattern 1845 blade. It appears on a lot of early Army type 19s and Navy dress swords.

Nicely done.

So new example afterall. Great.

Yes, Autumn 1942, Ku 347 Koa Isshin stamped "143." Thanks!

Appears to be "home made". Hard to tell about the wrappings, by these photos, so can't tell about the age of them, but the blade and metal (brass) fittings all look to be made by an amateur/hobbyist. At best, judging by the parallel buffer/grinder marks, the blade could be something from the occupied lands that was totally rusted/corroded and someone ground it down to "clean it up."

Hi Aleki, welcome to the NMB forum! Looks like a Japanese sword with an interesting TSUBA. Please show the NAKAGO without HABAKI, blade-tip upwards. All photos taken on a dark, non-reflecting background, in a dark room with light from the side.

Looks like this sword was some sort of recognition gift to Iwata Kanzo (岩田 勘造). The document was issued the 1st April of 1939. It seems he was an employee of the South Manchuria Railway Company for 25 years.

Well done, looks awesome.

VERY bad fake....one of the worst and most prolific of the Chinese low end ones.

No snipe intended, just happened to be when I saw and could post!

Also my concern. Why doesn't it say anything in brackets after "Yoshimochi" ?

Bishu Osafune Sukesada Papers: NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Country(Kuni)・Era(Jidai): Bizen(Okayama)・Late Muromachi period - August, 1567 (Eiroku 10th year) Blade length(Cutting edge): 71.5cm Curve(SORI): 2.5cm Width at the hamachi(Moto-Haba): 3.22cm Thickness at the Moto-Kasane: 0.77cm Wide at the Kissaki(Saki-Haba): 2.55cm Thickness at the Saki-Kasane: 0.60cm Habaki: oneo part, gold foil Habaki Sword tang(Nakago):Unaltered, Kattesagari file pattern Rivet Holes(Mekugiana): 1 Shape(Taihai): Shinogizukuri, Iorimune, Chu-kissaki Dated and has a wide width and thickness. Hamon is Gunome and Choji with Tobiyaki. Jigane is Itame and Mokume. Nakago is Ubu. Asking: $12,000 Payment: Bank transfer Shipping: Free for continental USA (you pay elsewhere) - but if you want to return it I need to deduct it from the refund This will be going onto Nihonto Antiques soon if it is not picked up here first. Excellent condition, polish is in sashikomi with a very beautiful "light behind the clouds" effect. Strong sugata.

The characters look extremely off. And the sugata should be more sakizori. Not a lot of detail to be seen in the pic but I would bet my money on Shinshinto gimei

I am away from my reference books for a few more days, but I’m pretty sure you would find this sword in Dawson‘s book. I don’t recall the history completely either however I think it began in the late 1800s and was prevalent through the Russian in Chinese war into World War II.

Hello, I just saw this post now. I’m writing this in case others may come across it later as well. I thought artworks like these might be close to what you’re looking for.↓ It looks like a Japanese ink painting (sumi-e), giving the impression of a Japanese artist depicting a Chinese-style scene.I think the figures depicted are Mongolian mounted soldiers. 伝狩野元信　韃靼人狩猟図 Attributed to Kanō Motonobu　“Hunting Scene of the Dattan People (Tatars).” Muromachi period, First half of the 16th century.

I agree with Ron's perspective on this sellers Items. I have observed his items for some time and they all appear recently made to deceive prospective buyers. They appear recently made and fitted to older existing mounts. BUYER BEWARE.

It is my opinion that the blades being sold by this eBay dealer are modern, and the mei is added to each blade then dipped in vinegar to produce the dark patina. I say this based on A) the line on the nakago top toward blade in every one of the blades has the tell tale rusty etch, and B) the tagane (chisel strokes) are raised meaning they are freshly cut. thats my two cents

Awesome!

Agreed; their photographs and descriptions have been useful in my own research as well. Not quite the super-detailed resolution you can find on some of the online museums, but a good deal better than most, particularly when it comes to getting different angles and orientations of the blade. Even better, several of their pieces are also showcased on their Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@touken-world/videos

Correct John, one needs to factor in the quantity of blades that were being made. The Mantetsu was a modernized Nihontō and was water quenched. I see three basic blade construction types for this time frame: 2 or more layers and water quenched, 2 or more layers and oil quenched, and finally one piece construction (such as a Type 95) and usually oil quenched. I see the whole Imperial Japanese era (1868-1952) as falling into the realm of Japanese militaria collecting and not Nihontō collecting. This is where the collecting market is at. Your gas mileage my differ though!

If you fellow collector's, enthusiasts and scholars would like some very nice nihonto items to study then check out the upcoming morphy auctions may 12th 2026. It looks like lots 1301-1328 are some fantastic tachi, katana, wakizashi , fuchi kashira etc.. Juyo items, TB Hozon etc. I was studying the suishinshi masahide today for some time. Here is a link to the sale. https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/A_RARE_AND_IMPORTANT_SUISHINSHI_MASAHIDE_WAKIZASHI-lot664367.aspx

Anyone have the gumption to give Cillo a call? His number is right there on the copywrite page. If no one volunteers, I'd be happy to give him a ring and ask some questions. Respectfully, and for the sake of curiosity of course. -Sam

Hi, When you see an error like this or oddity in the data, please drop me a PM with the exact item that is faulty or report on the site directly on the item with the flag icon. Cheers, Hoshi

Just had lunch in Fukuoka at the udon place called Bizen Fukuoka Ichimonji, and was explaining to one of the offspring that this name means more than just a random udon shop by the river.

Certainly very interesting and a relatively small price for what it represents. If given a choice, I would prefer an O-suriage example that was healthier and possessed all the attributes the Ichimonji school is so revered for.

Hello everyone, Okan Asik here. I'm based in Dubai and specialize in authentic Japanese swords and fittings, which I source directly and exclusively from Japan. Some of you may already know me and my story. My interest in Japanese swords began many years ago as a collector and researcher. After moving to Dubai a few years ago, I decided to go full-time and build my life around Nihonto. Since Japan doesn’t ship swords directly to the UAE, I personally travel to pick up each piece. For me, this isn’t just business; it’s about placing these works of art in the hands of those who will truly appreciate and take care of them. I look forward to sharing items with you all on the forum. Warm regards, Okan PS: My website will be up in a few months(hopefully), but in the meantime I’m going to share items and updates on social media so please follow! facebook.com/ginzamaru.dubai