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Pete, The kanji looks like "Shu." Question: what do you plan to do with this sword? Hoanh

Adam, Here is a pic of the kissaki. Since it's my friend's sword, I am reluctant to do anything other than to wipe it down with alcohol to clean up any residue. Do you have Takeo Seki's email? For Gendaito, Takeo would be a good choice. Am I correct? Regards, Hoanh

John, The macro lens makes the pitting look much worse than they are. I am just about to pack up the sword and send it back to my friend. I am going to recommend that he sends the sword to either Bob Benson or Takeo Seki for their opinion regarding the pitting and overall chances of having a good polish. Does anyone have Takeo Seki's email? Regards, Hoanh Edit: Adam made my point about the pitting. The macro lens is like a poor man's microscope.

Henk-Jan, My understanding is that a tired blade will have shintetsu showing through, lamination openings and other flaws showing, or rough hada (unless the sword was intentionally forged with O-hada). I don't think this blade is tired, but simple has a bad case of being "cleaned up" with steel wool/sand paper. Hoanh

Jeremy, Whenever you see a sword with a Seki or Showa stamp, it's non-traditionally made - usually machine-made and oil quenched, as opposed to being forged, folded, and water-quenched. Even in good gunto mounts, a Showato would go for well under $1000. It does not make sense (to me personally) to have the sword polished for two reasons. First, you clearly cannot recoup the cost of a polish when you decide to move the piece. Second, even with a new polish, there is nothing to see. There is no hada, no activity in the hamon, ... nothing. So, if I were you, I would clean the blade and put a light coat of choji/mineral oil on it to keep it from rusting, and enjoy the sword as a historical artifact. When you see a sword with a star stamp, it's traditionally made. Its value then depends on who made it and how well-made the sword is. Regards, Hoanh EDIT: Yoshimune is a big name, but your sword has a Showa stamp on it. You can be sure Yoshimune didn't make it. It was most likely made by underlings under his supervision at a factory. Sorry I missed this part of your question.

Yes, machine made. There is what appears to be a showa stamp in this picture "000_0006-11.jpg" (The last picture of the first post). EDIT: I should say "non-traditionally made." Regards, Hoanh

One more pic Hoanh

As promised, my friend sent me his sword. I just received it this afternoon and set up some quick shots for you. The sword is signed tachi mei, hira zukuri, 28.75" nagasa, ubu ha. Unfortunately, someone has "cleaned" the nakago and the blade with steel wool. The nakago is not too badly damaged as it still retains its patina. The blade is all scratchy, though, making it very hard to photograph. Even with the blade in hand, I have to turn it at a very specific angle (to avoid light reflections from the scratches) to see activities in the hamon. There is some pitting, but all very shallow and will polish out. No cracks, no hagire, no lamination openings, and no chips. The boshi is intact on both sides. Overall, I think the sword is in good shape but will require polish and new shirasaya. I have communicated the cost of restoration to my friend, and I think he is in shock Anyhow, the sword is nioi deki with lots of long, showy kinsuji. I can't see the hada because of its bad state of polish/lack thereof. The boshi has hints of hakikakke, but I can't photograph it because of the polish. I will try to play with the lighting tomorrow when I have a little more time. Any/all comments are appreciated. Regards, Hoanh

Bob, If you are interested in iron tsuba, "Japanese Sword Guards" by Sasano is a great book. Neither of your tsuba looks tosho or katchushi, but someone more knowledgeable will probably point out my mistake as soon as I post my comment. Regards, Hoanh

Not worth the restoration cost, unless the sword holds sentimental values to you. Regards, Hoanh

Bob, It looks like a Chinese fake sword. Just so I am not confused, it's the sword on top with the colorful scabbard, the handle with brown cord wrapping, and what appears to be numbers on the habaki, correct? Edit: Gabriel beat me to it! Regard, Hoanh

Veli, I always have trouble with Photoshop's merging of overlapping photos because the lighting (and to some extent focus) are different in the overlapped region. How did you work around/minimize/avoid this issue? Pointers are appreciated as always. Regards, Hoanh

Morita san, His photography skills are ... nonexistent. He is sending me the sword so I can look at in hand. When I receive it, I'll post pictures. Thank you so much for the translation... again. Regards, Hoanh

I would appreciate any help with this mei. Ishu ?? ?? Ju Sadahide Regards, Hoanh

Money-wise, with a scabbard, in the current state, I would say $700-$1000. Without a scabbard, may be $500-$800...guesstimate. Hoanh

18+1925=1943 Hoanh

Greger, If this sword cost you more than $50, you have paid too much. For $50, you can get a good beginners' book: The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords by Kokan Nagayama It's a very nice book packed with information, excellent photos and illustrations. Regards, Hoanh

Greger, The pictures are still inconclusive. I am leaning in Joe's direction, though: low-quality Japanese sword or repro. The tsukamaki is typical of Chinese repro: the turns are not alternating. May be we can see a close up pic of the kissaki? Hoanh

Dear Curran, I had a sword in the NBTHK July shinsa and received the result a week ago. Regards, Hoanh

Thank you Laurent. I am a visual learner. Regards, Hoanh

Dear Laurent, May we see some pictures, please? Regards, Hoanh

Dear Andi, The flaw is certainly not a fatal flaw. Whether it is a serious flaw or not really depends on your collecting objective and criteria. You will need to decide what you want to collect and how you will go about building up your collection. For instance, some collectors will not collect unsigned swords made after the Nanbokucho jidai. Some collectors will not collect shinto and later swords that are unsigned or signed but not ubu nakago, ... What do you want to collect? Answer that question and you will have found a path... I hope this vague answer helps. Regards, Hoanh

Dear Chris, I do fully agree with you that a little due diligence goes a long way, and I am also quite sure that our friends have learned their lessons well and will not repeat the same mistake in the future, but, "should da, could da" won't help them get out of this mess. It's not clear if any recourse is possible, but constructive suggestions would be more welcomed than "you messed up, dudes!" Regards, Hoanh

I have asked my friend for pictures of the blade, not just of the nakago. When I get them, I'll post them here for your enjoyment. Regards, Hoanh

For those from outside the US or even outside of California, it might be impossible to retrieve your swords. For those in California, I would suggest you band together and get in touch with the State Attorney General's Office. It's worth a try. Regards, Hoanh