Geraint

Hi G. The kanji on the blade suggest Kaifu, have a look at this one for example. http://www.aoijapan.com/wakizashi-ozaki-mo-kaifu All the best

Hi Joe. For me the question would be, "Do I really like this sword?" If it matters to you that you have the third generation because you want the complete series then you probably know what the market value for that smith is and you wouldn't expect to catch a bargain from a dealer who knows what they are doing. Finding a sword in a non specialist dealers might be different. Personally I find the whole idea of a dealer guarantee rather strange, I suppose that it is some consolation when you are spending significant amounts of money but even that is a bit of a gamble as the market changes over time in rather unpredictable ways. If the sword is being sold at the market price for the smith then you might feel that the risk is too great, on the other hand you propose that it is quite a good price in which case what have you got to lose? Have fun.

Hi Josh. The place to start might be this one, http://www.hizento.net/history.htm The author is a real mine of information on the Hizen school. Another thing would be to get a copy of Art and the Sword, vol1 I think, focuses on the same school. You are aware that there are some serious problems with the flaws in the boshi? Enjoy the journey.

Hi ZBurkett. Please sign your posts with a first name so we know who we are speaking to. If you go to the FAQ tab at the top of the page you will find some guidance on how to care for your sword but the first rule is, "If in doubt, don't". I would leave the chrome polish where it is. If you can get some photographs of the blade lots of people here will be glad to comment on your sword and advise you on next steps for research and caring for it. An overall shot of the blade and detailed shots of the nakago, (tang) plus some measurements would be useful. Welcome to the mad world of Nihonto! All the best.

Hi Josh. So much information out there about this school and many knowledgeable people here who can tell you if it looks good or not, reason being they are very many gimei. This mei is a great place to start learning how to read kanji and once you have got this one the others will start to fall into place a little. Check it out with some kanji tables and once you have it you will start to recognize the common ones on other mei. Pictures of the whole blade would help even if it is not in first class polish. Enjoy!

Dear Hamish. Collecting is the dissonance between taste and income! All the best

Dear RJ. Have a look at this one here, http://www.aoijapan.com/tachikoshirae-saya-nashiji-aventurine-lacquered You will see that the hangers for the scabbard and the phoenix head are upside down as well as one or two other misplaced parts. All the best

Apparently the NBTHK do not share your feelings and, as I understand it discussion of items for sale is not part of the deal unless you wish to express admiration. All the best.

Snap!

Hi Rob. You would enjoy getting your hands on a copy of this, http://www.katchu-no-bi.com/2016/05/06/book-review-Japanese-spears-polearms-and-their-use-in-old-Japan-by-roald-and-patricia-knutsen/ All the best.

Have a look at this one, http://yakiba.com/Tanto_Sadakazu.htm Or is that the one you were interested in? It's a beauty! All the best

Interested to see a brass niju habaki? All the best

Hi James. The habaki is a true niju example, it might have been soldered shut but soaking in some warm water might free up the two parts. They are a great piece of work as many habaki are. I don't think the marks are any from of signature but others may know more. As far as the tsuba goes, take your time and if possible show it to someone knowledgeable, the unusual shape hitsu ana is interesting. Have a look at this, http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/11481-yamagane-tsuba/ You can look up "kiku zukashi tsuba" and find many examples to compare it with. All the best.

Hi James. (Please add your name to your posts so we know who we are talking with) Franco is probably correct in his assessment but a picture of the whole tang,and preferably the other way up, ie,the tip of the nakago pointing down, would be interesting. Your other point is slightly odd as almost all Japanese swords have the hilt covered in same or ray skin if you prefer. This is usually underneath the silk wrap. Also quite a high proportion of European swords and indeed many others have sharkskin as a hilt covering material. Your sword deserves a little tender care, have a look for sword care guidance at the top of the home page. (Had a look and can't find a direct link so try this one, http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/care.htm or bettter yet this one, http://www.nbthk-ab.org/Jap_Sword_Care.html) All the best

Welcome Emiliano. There is a thread for new member introductions in the General section but I'm sure no one will mind. I was in Firenze a couple of weeks ago, wish I had known you were there though the others in my party might not have been so keen. Good to have you on board, I hope you will enjoy the discussions. All the best.

Dear Bojan. Here it is. All the best

Hi Bojan. No problems with this one in fact I envy you! This was made as a wakizashi in this form so there is no issue about the hi running off or not as there would be if it was a repurposed naginata. Shigetaka seems to have made something of a speciality of this form of wakizashi. If you are interested I can send you an oshigata of one I have. Enjoy. All the best

Hi Sylvain. I don't think there is a problem, just shakudo that someone has over cleaned. If you are fortunate then time will be a great healer and you won't have anything to worry about. I bought a sword with a san mai tsuba that had been cleaned to a bright copper colour and after a year or two the shakudo has turned a lovely raven black, hopefully that will happen to your fuchi and kashira. All the best

Hi Bojan. Ed has summed it up nicely, there is not quite the degree of certainty that we might like surrounding this group. I have done a bit of digging as I have two blades, one I think shodai and the other nidai. Would love to see some pictures of yours. Meanwhile have a look here for some more information. http://www.sanmei.com/contents/media/K14093_W8260_PUP_E.htm Ed is also right that sugata can help, generally speaking if you see Kanbun sugata then it is nidai and shodai tends to have a less controlled and regular hamon from what I have seen. All the best.

Hi Paul. Congrats on your treasure. I'm not sure that, "getting the blood pumping", is a good reference when you have just cut yourself on it though. Enjoy!. All the best.

Dear All. Just one to share, mumei blade, Meiji I think but Kogarasumaru sugata, rather slim and elegant. Enjoy!

Thibault, It's not much to look at but I will see if I can dig it out. All the best

With regard to the Vietnamese example, my very first Japanese sword was, and is, a koto Mino katana with an iron tsuba carefully remounted as a Burmese dha. I have no idea of the history but I suspect that it whether it was captured and repurposed in Burma either during or just after the war. I will try and get some pictures if anyone is interested. (Perhaps not, just remembered the mounts are in the locker under the armour.) All the best.

Dear All. Are we not getting carried away here? Is this not simply a copper tsuba with katakiribori of a type quite often seen that someone has decided to pretty up as Brian suggested? Hence my suggestion of silver plating solution, removing the silver plate would be tricky and all you would have is a copper tsuba which could then be repatinated if you thought it was worth it. Solid silver tsuba are found but this isn't one of them Delighted to be wrong on this one but.........check this one out. http://www.nihonto.us/RED%20COPPER%20TIGER%20&%20BAMBOO%20TSUBA.htm All the best

This would do it. http://www.kernowcraft.com/products/silversmithing-and-tools/sundries/item/silver-solution-c125