J Reid

Curtis, IMO having this piece polished may still be viable. If you paid around 2k (just a guess) initially, added in shirasaya and habaki for another $700 or so and then throw in a polish @ $2200-$2600.. You're still only sitting @ 5k-$5300ish all in. This sword could definitely fetch $5500 in pristine condition. It's unique because of its inscription. Akihiro was an honest smith and a RJT. If I were you, I would fork out the cash and have it polished. You could, in theory, get your money back eventually and also get to enjoy the blade while in your collection in mint condition. Just food for thought.. ..If this was my blade.. I would probably just keep it all for myself and not sell haha.

Interesting read! Thanks chad.

Nice sword!

Brian, NMB really needs to get a "like" button. haha

He is safe to deal with. I am usually very cautious online.. However I have no problem wiring money/ credit card info to tsuruta-san. As to the Tsuba.. I can't comment on the price because I'm at work and the firewalls have me locked outta there!

Great read... Thanks guys.

I'm sure if you post them in the for sale section here you'll find a buyer or 2.. These are both nice finds.. I'd like to see more pictures of the older blade to see if its needs/worth restoration. Also.. From what I see I would say that the first blade could fetch $1500-$2000 as is and the gendaito $2000-$2500 as is.. Prices could fluctuate based on further analysis of condition. IMO

I would think that since the kogatana was used mostly as a utility knife/utensil it would have been made to order with a new koshirae, or even blade, initially. Would you prefer to eat your food with a war soaked dinner knife, or a newer one ..One that only you has ever used? I'd prefer the latter one. As for collecting, I display kogatana in a box. Use a filler... They're fairly in expensive.. Wooden or steel. As to a good source.. I think ryujinswords.com has a steady supply last time I browsed his site. Edit: £50 http://ryujinswords.com/kozuka.htm

I like both polishes on a piece by piece basis. However, I enjoy viewing sashikomi first and find myself more attracted to blades polished in that way. When it comes down to ordering a polish on a blade, I ask the togishi to do the style that best suits the piece as oppose to one or the other.

is it just me or does this whole package look crispy?

Deleted my opinion..forgot about that rule

This seller has been discussed. This specific seller hijacks photos and descriptions from items all over the net and literally doubles the ticket price. If they make the sale they buy the item from the real seller. Everyone wins.. Except the unsuspecting buyer that doesn't know how to shop around before emptying his pocket. Edit: kind of a crooked way of drop shipping.

They don't look like they're written by the same hand though. Many differences between those 2 nakago.

If you use the word "sword" in your description with anyone nowadays you'll have problems. Period. Use "Antique Japanese art" by fedex for international. Everyone else will send it back to you.

How long is the saya? I don't think we've covered that. These blades may not be original to the koshirae. Does the saya length meet the requirements?

Actually- they did. But most similarities come naturally as they would write their mei by hand first, and then chisel. However it's not just the signature that helps verify authenticity... Your nakago jiri is all wrong. The placement of the mei is completely off.

That's why it's recommended to buy books, go to shows, learn, and then buy blades (from reputable dealers). Ebay is never a recommended place to shop as a novice. As for royalities... Noo. The books are being used for reference only.

Thanks Jean! Reuben! What else do you need to know man? I think we've collaberated an interesting thread and covered most points here on the initial subject. There may be no need to look elsewhere.

Jean, Again going out on a limb here I have to say: Sue-bizen IMO. They produced numerous kazu-uchi mono in this period and since this was the style favoured at that time I would say they have extent examples.

Thanks Adam!

Well as far as I understand.. uchigatana is a koshirae style designed for katate-uchi or blades modified to fit the requirements of that timeframe. Katate-uchi is defined by it's original sugata and time of manufacture. A shortened tachi is not katate-uchi if its in uchigatana koshirae. A shortened tachi is however an uchigatana when worn that way at that time specifically. However- A katate-uchi is still a katate-uchi even when in shirasaya and without needing to be fitted as an uchigatana if it fits the general requirements etc. All of this is my opinion and I have kept in mind that there are always exceptions to the rule.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that the term "katate-uchi" should refer to the blade design without koshirae and "uchigatana" refers to the mounting style with or without blade. "KATATE-UCHI: "One Handed Fighting Sword" were long swords, like Katana. The Japanese produced this long sword style from the period of Bun-mei (1469) through Ten-mon (1532). Any sword having a Nagasa of 21 3/4 in. to 25 1/2 in. from those Koto times was not a Wakizashi but the famous Katate-uchi. Many of the great swords and treasure pieces from this era, by Muramasa to Yozozaemon were made in this Sugata. Katate-uchi is the predominant style of the Sengoku."

Beware of this seller. I purchased a wakizashi in nov 2011 and after months of me asking where it was and not receiving a response back for weeks at a time I finally had to do a charge back on my credit card as the 45 days paypal buyer protection had expired and I only had 2 days left before my credit card company would assist with recovering my money. I warned him multiple times that I felt he was being shady and that I was on the verge of a chargeback. After finally charging back my card he shipped the sword. It arrived with a cracked and broken saya. So from nov 2011-march 2012... I also believe that this seller does heavy shill bidding. Just pay by credit card and don't let the clock run out and you've got nothing to lose I guess. Overall my experience with him was terrible though..

Don't mod either of those koshirae.. They look good as is.. IMHO

I notice a couple of "kinks" in the ridges of the hi running down the nakago.. IMO it looks like it was modified. I feel like I've seen this exaggerated style before? But yes- Doesn't seem functionally appropriate as Matt states..