gustaf

I was offered today this blade. It’s a true and verified bring back. Very interesting stamp that was already discussed here. Any thoughts on the added value of the stamp on otherwise ordinary showato?

I was leaning in the same direction yet wanted confirmation. Many thanks for quick response.

For $3,200 that seller is asking you can probably do better but that’s your call.

My previous gunto acquisition turned out to be a family blade in ww2 fittings. Tsuka has a Naito family mon. Tsuka was never removed from the blade since war and after much wrangling it turned out to be unsigned nagako. Nagako shows significant aging Habaki is two part gold and silver foiled. Blade geometry and lightness reminds of my Masaie blade Koto period but sugata does not support that. Hada is tight and hamon is suguta, chu-kissaki. Any thoughts and opinions are welcome from this well respected forum.

Excellent points. I will park it for a while and might take later to a show if one pops up close by. Since my investment was not a large one I’m happy overall with what I got. I’m grateful for all the advice and responses. This is one of the best boards I visited.

Gents, many thanks for your wisdom, kind words about my purchase and support. I will look into the NTHK route as advised. It’s a new path for me but it opened a new world of learning.

Appreciate all the responses. My hat is off to you guys for being so good at this. There is no way a mere mortal like me could decipher it all.

You beat me to it

Understood and appreciate your comments and expertise. I’m out of my depth here but at least it appears to be a true nihinto unless you disagree.

Can you share your thoughts on what it could be other than just gimei.

#2

It finally arrived. I will post series of quick pictures. Please forgive the background. Katana does appear to be a correct Kagemitsu Kamakura era unless you see something different. Polish is still very good with just minor scratches. Koshirae is older with some wear. Saya motif matches the fuchi. Kashira is some sort of bone. I cannot tell what menuki signifies. Everything looks very good and correct. My only complaint was packing by the inexperienced seller. Plenty of bubble wrap but blade was not secured to saya. It slid out at a bad moment and almost took the whole finger with it. I will not be posting the stitches picture...

I will be glad to post it once it’s in my hands. Shouldn’t be too long.

Thank you for a very quick response.

I can’t believe I left it out. My bad.

I recognize kanji for Ban, Kuni, Ju, Fujiwara, and Saki. The rest escapes me and I can’t make any sense out of this signature. Any help is greatly appreciate from this top notch group of collectors.

Many thanks for the knowledge and the speed!

Grey, unfortunately this is the only picture I have. If I get additional information I will be sure to post it.

I’m at a loss as to what the papers say. I can only guess that the item is valuable. Any assistance is appreciated.

I don’t have it in my hands yet. Seller only provided the pictures above. At the price I could not pass it up and took a chance on buying without personally inspecting it. Once I have it I will report back the results.

I’m not sure if this is a true and correct Kagemitsu tachi. It is still in polish albeit has some marks. Blade looks correct with proper signature. Thoughts or opinions on authenticity and quality of the overall tachi?

I am grateful for all the input and no apologies are necessary. This is the most knowledgeable and responsive group of collectors that I ever found. I always learn so much from these interactions.

Amazing. Thank you for a lightning quick reply.

I’m not certain what I have here. It came via estate auction in reasonably good shape. Blade is clear with no nicks or openings. Just some aging. Signature appears to be old and I am stumped on the translation. Total blade length is 19” which makes is a Wakizashi? What is it and would it be worth restoring?

I hope that does not negatively affects the blade. The overall sword has no appearance of a parts piece. Blade is fitted in custom gunto fittings with all indications of family blade being used by a relatively wealthy officer.