Grey Doffin

Hi Kenny, If you take your pictures on a dark background we'll be able to see details. As is, your camera is calibrating off the white background and the nakago is left in the dark. Grey

Hi John, I am a bit bothered that an iron tsuba that comes across as being of great age shows no evidence of having been mounted: no divots or copper inserts in the nakago-ana to adjust the fit or cushion the nakago from wear. Grey

Hi Jose, I believe this possibly was made as is or, more likely, fashioned from a broken sword tip with the horimono added, done shortly after WWII to sell to someone in the occupation as a trinket to take home. Grey

Hi Tor, Definitely not an oil quenched blade, I see no reason to suspect that the bottom of the tang has been messed with, no evidence either that the tsuba has been replaced (maybe it has but no way to know): no reason to call this anything but a samurai sword that was traditionally made sometime between the 16th and 19th centuries. Resist all urges to fix it in any way; leave any restoration to those with proper training. See if you can find someone with years worth of knowledge to look at it in hand, which is the only way you're likely to learn much more about the sword. Cheers, Grey

Hi Dave, Here is a care and etiquette brochure that will tell you, among the rest, how to remove and replace the handle: https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/ You and whoever will end up keeping the sword should read it twice. Cheers, Grey

This is a 100%, honest to God, true fake. Grey

Hi Jon, I can't see every character clearly but if the smith was true to his form it says, Noshu Seki no Ju Ni JU San Dai Fujiwara Kanefusa Kore wo Saku. Grey

Masa. Grey

Yoshimune is the mei and Showa Ju Ku Nen Go Gatsu (April of 1944) is the date. Grey

Brian Tschernega lives in the Seattle area and he can do the work. Grey

Maybe shinshinto or later but could be earlier. As you say, not much to go on. Grey

Kanekado. Grey

I agree with Stephen; for things of value within the US it has to be registered mail from the post office. Beyond what Stephen said, if the package spends a night in a post office it has to be in a safe. And it isn't expensive. I'm about to ship a large tube with 5 swords and some boxed fittings to the east coast. 10 pounds and $20,000 on value will be about $108 with full insurance. Registered can't get lost; as my guy at the PO says, "If you lose registered you lose your job." Grey

What Uwe said except: the sword is signed on the wrong side of the nakago (tang). No wakizashi should ever be signed on this side so I think we can assume that the signature is a fantasy. Grey

The tsuba is signed Kunihiro, I believe. Grey

Hi Steve, Noshu Masuda Kanetaka Saku (made by Masuda Kanetaka of Noshu). The paint is the number 388. Grey

Hi Ron, What John said and: your shirasaya is the best protection for the blade so you want to keep it there, which means that you can go ahead and buy an older koshirae that you can display next to your blade in shirasaya but never try to put the blade in the koshirae. This is far less expensive than having koshirae built to fit your blade, which means you can get better quality koshirae than you would have been able to afford had you built the koshirae to fit. Grey

I apply oil with a piece of facial tissue (paper). I remove oil 1st with another piece of tissue, to get the most of it, and then with microfiber. Grey

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