Grey Doffin

Hi Rocky, Normally, but there are exceptions, the mei would face forward when the sword is worn on the hip. Grey

Whenever I see a sale of a sword with the pin missing I always contact the seller and tell him or her to make a replacement and why it is important. If I save one Nihonto it is worth the effort. Grey

Hi Jon, To my eyes and in my opinion, maybe a tiny bit tired (see the dark spots in the 1st picture) but not much. Looks to be a very nice sword. Grey

Hi Erwin, The side on picture you just posted does show the sori; it isn't as pronounced as the earlier picture made it look. Of course, retemper is always a possibility but, this sword could be OK. If you decide to purchase you should ask for a 3 day inspection with right to return if necessary. Cheers, Grey

Hi Erwin, Can't be sure from the few pictures you've posted but the sori may be unsually deep. While some very early Nihonto had this sori, most I've seen outside of museums are later blades that have been retempered. A side on picture of the whole blade without mounts may be helpful. Grey

Hi Richard, Your handle needs to be reglued and it should be done as traditional, with rice glue. And, because the sword is in danger of damage without the handle and pin through the hole to lock the blade in place, you shouldn't wait too long to have the work done (it won't be expensive). Too much typing to discuss your options for this. If you want to give me a call sometime I'll talk you through it. Grey 218-726-0395 central time.

Hi Richard, Agreed to Kanemitsu and scroll down on this link for care & cleaning: https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/ Grey

Hi Georg, No idea which smith signing with these characters for Masatoshi this is; sorry. I do know that he isn't found in any of the references included in The Index of Japanese Sword Literature, so, short of a shinsa and I wouldn't expect much from that, you won't be able to learn much. Grey

Hi Ken, I agree; most museums are graveyards for Nihonto. But there was one exhibition at a museum in the US that was most impressive: https://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/books/b475-art-samurai-metropolitan-museum 18, I think, Kokuho (National Treasure), including the O-Kanehira. That was a spectacular show. Grey

If I may, I'd like to suggest a change in approach. Those of us who could easily see the sword as a fake were able to do so, not because we have memorized a list of rules (the kanji shouldn't be too spread out, for example), but rather, because we have looked at so many of the real thing. Once you set a rule that says no real Nihonto have wide spread kanji in their mei, some sword will pop up with atypical spacing and prove you wrong. However, once you have looked closely at 1,000 true Nihonto, either in hand or in a good book, you will never be fooled by a sword like the one up top. Study Grasshopper. Grey

The mei is, I believe, Masatoshi. Grey

Hi Jeff, Here is a care and cleaning brochure: https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/ scroll down to find it. We won't be able to tell much from pictures alone; the sword needs to be seen in hand by an honest person with knowledge. Where in the States do you live? Maybe there will be someone nearby. Best, Grey

Hi Anders, Speaking only for myself and my website, I accept either form of paypal (although friends is always appreciated), personal or bank checks, bank wire transfer, and am willing to try something else if the customer requests it. I usually have payment in full before I ship but I do allow my customers to make time payments to ease the pain of an expensive item. Cheers, Grey

Hi Arnold, You say you want to buy an original sword; if so, you need to buy only from a dealer you can trust 100% or you need to study first (and, shy of getting lucky, those are the only options you have). The fact that you are asking about such an obvious fake tells us you are a beginner. There is nothing wrong with that; we all have been there ourselves, but as a beginner you need either very good advise or a whole lot more knowledge than you currently possess. Otherwise you will run out of money quite quickly. Grey

Hi Michael, This needs to be done by someone with proper knowledge/training; I'm nearly 50 years a furniture maker and I wouldn't take this on. You could approach John Tirado, Brisn Tsernega (sure I spelled that wrong), or send it to Bob Benson (check links above). Grey

Hi Seth, You don't really want to get this sword polished; it would be a mistake to do that now (if ever). Imagine we are talking about poker, not swords. You have just learned what playing cards are and you're wondering how to sign up for the World Series of Poker. Read, study, ask questions, but don't be in a hurry. There is nothing you can do with Japanese swords today that you won't be able to do later and with more knowledge. If you'd like to ask a bunch of questions feel free to call sometime. I am not an authority but I have been at it for nearly 40 years and will help where I can. Grey 218-726-0395 US central time

Hi Seth, To answer your question about polishing. While it is best to leave other antique items as is, Japanese swords are treated differently. Only if the blade is properly polished is it possible to see the temper line (hamon) and grain (hada). However, a proper polish is expensive and an improper polish (done by an amateur or a self taught knucklehead) is a terrible idea. Only if a sword has value greater than the cost of the polish does it make sense to have the work done. From what I've seen of your sword, I would guess a polish isn't warranted; the defects shown in your pictures affect the value too much. A proper polish with new habaki and shirasaya, both of which would be necessary, would cost at least $2,000 and when you were done it might be worth $700 or $800 at best. Take some time to read and study. This is a fascinating field and you're off to a good start. Cheers, Grey

Hi guys, The San Francisco show is fast approaching. I'd like to take all my kodogu with me to the show but I have a few too many pieces in wooden boxes to fit in my carry on. This is where you come in. Have a look at my Tsuba and Kodogu pages: https://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/Tsuba-&-Kodogu and, if you see something your wife might let you buy, make me an offer. Offers on boxed kodogu are the point of this post but all reasonable offers, whether on swords, fittings, or books, will be considered. Contact me by email through my site, please, not by personal message here. I need your emails to keep track of business. Thanks, Grey For example:

Correction. He isn't the Kawano Sadashige, student of Gassan Sadakatsu at the bottom right of your chart. He is Imai Sadashige, student of Takahashi Sadatsugu just to the left. Grey

Hi Stephen, A different Sadashige, I believe, and not on my site. Grey

Thanks Ray. Now explain to me how I missed such an obvious answer. Grey

Hi guys, 2 kanji in this mei have me stumped. If someone can fill in the blank and confirm that I have the rest correct I would be most appreciative. The 1st of the 2 kanji is Dai or O, but with the 2nd I get nowhere. The sword will be for sale if that makes a difference but, not until the San Francisco show. Thanks, Grey

Not likely. This looks like something made no earlier than post WWII. There is no mekugi-ana: just one of many tells. Grey

Hi David, Nothing needs to be done to the tang; leave it alone. I don't see a signature; I think the sword is unsigned. You need to whittle a new peg for the handle and you need to do it ASAP. Without the peg (mekugi) the blade can fall out of the handle and and break its point, either when it hits the bottom of the scabbard or when it hits the floor after it passes through your foot. Find a bamboo chopstick for this. Here is a care and etiquette brochure you should read twice: https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/ and scroll down. You did very well with your $100; the tsuba alone is probably worth that or more. I see what look like openings (defects) on the blade and if that is the case you didn't buy a treasure, but still a real, traditionally made Japanese sword. If you have a bunch of questions you'd like answers to, I'm in central time US and happy to help if I can. Grey 218-726-0395

David McDonald in Montana has received an award in Japan for his work in tsuka-ito. I'm sure you'll find him in the links at the top of NMB and I'm sure you'll be pleased with his work. Grey