Prewar70

Bishu osafune or Bizen...

Thanks Chris that’s very helpful. I took a closer look at the blade and I think the Hamon runs off in two spots. Good pic of activity in the Hamon

Thanks Sas. Indeed it is all of those things and very thin. I’m surprised it doesn’t have more ware and coarse Hada considering the number of times it must have been polished. Still, seeing what I can I the Hamon my gut instinct is saying Kamakura....

Thanks Ford appreciate the help

Any idea if this is a specific school? Unsigned.

I spoke with Roger, and he said, gimei gimei gimei!. I have Roger's book, and the only generation that I found that may have signed using only these characters was the 9th generation. THere is one rough picture of a mei and Roger's caption is "rare". I don't know, maybe someone else here has more information. To me, in hand, the mei seemed well cut and overall quality of the sword above average.

Now that we have Tom Darling's generous sharing of knowledge and Guido's under-aged uchiko parties out of the way, any other comments about what is visible would be appreciated! And yes, very important to wear a mask and cover your eyes when doing this. Thanks.

Uchiko lungs tonight and sore fingers. Nagasa is 24.24 in. Sugata is more Shinto but it’s has been greatly shortened This sword feels old to me. The Hamon style, the jigane and dark steel from what I can see so far. Might be an ole toothpick but any insight would be appreciated. Thanks.

Anything decent or strictly utilitarian?

Just wondering if there's anything interesting here. I am so confused on tsuba quality. Seems like there's always some I wouldn't give a second glance to but surprise me as to the skill involved in making. I like this one and it seems skillful and delicate in ways, but would appreciate others knowledge. Thanks.

I'd like some input on this wakizashi. I have not found a mei to match, but this is well chiseled, and nakago is finely made. Rest of sword is nice, looks Hizen school, no papers. Thank you

Ichimonji?

I like to look at this sword often. https://www.touken-matsumoto.jp/eng/product_details_e.php?prod_no=WA-0242

I have been looking at the Sue Sa and Yamato Shizu weekly since they were offered for sale. And now with Darcy's Ichimonji being listed, I find myself looking at that sword as well. I'm curious about other's opinions on these swords. Outside of personal preference, does one stand out as being more collectable, a better value, or a better bet of future value? Personally I'd be happy with any as they all are magnificent and there is much to enjoy. They are all close in cost if a person had 25k-30k. And all swords to my amateur eyes seem similar in quality. I'm interested in your analysis. The Sue Sa: http://www.nihontocraft.com/Sue_Sa_Katana.html $26.3k TH I love the sugata and dimensions. Beautiful nakago, wide and powerful sword. Vivid jihada and big kissaki. It's TH but I'm not sure with the attribution and mumei thing if it qualifies for Juyo submittal or not, that was not clear to me. The Yamato Shizu: https://www.nihonto.com/2-1-18-2/ $32.5k Juyo I love the koshirae, let me say that first. I also like the sayagaki very much, aged with nice patina. Beautiful sugata, dark jigane, excellent proportions to my eyes. A perfect package Yoshioka Ichimonji: https://yuhindo.com/yoshioka-ichimonji-katana/ $36k Juyo Incredible hamon and red laquer inscription on the nakago are very pleasing to my eyes. With the recent discussion regarding separating koshirae, the koshirae with this sword is my personal preference. Utilitarian with nice age and to me is additive to the overall package. Flamboyant koshirae isn't interesting to me. It's a beautiful sword.

A $400k usd Motoshige Wakizashi? Am I reading the correctly?

Rayhan, your position is intriguing to me. I'm sure others agree with you too. My own personal thoughts were, what a great opportunity to own a high quality blade made by one of the best at a price that's maybe doable. And this is the part of sword collecting that is so interesting to me. If the blade were removed from it's shirasaya and you knew it was made by 1st Tadayoshi and you admired that smith I think a person would marvel at it's beauty. The hi look nicely cut, texture, curvature and almost 30 inches long. What a beautiful sword, until you remove the handle....., or not. It also makes me think of suriage katanas cut down to wakizashis. The quality of the work is still there, and it was still made by the same smith. And a person can buy this at a discount when compared to it's ubu brother. So I'm not saying you're wrong, we all like what we like. But to me and I'm sure others, this sword has a lot of value. Because of what's happened to it and it's discount, I bet it sells close to that amount. I think there will always be people willing to provide it with a home for study and appreciation.

Bob I think you’re mixing this sword with the other one that was with Darcy

Yes that is the sword that sparked the question.

Darcy, In my mind, possible condition issue(s) or not, something this rare and never before seen in the market, I'm guessing caused a stir. Is it possible to describe the reactions by those who saw and examined it? What were some of the comments and discussions? There has to be collectors in nihonto that appreciate and value rarity in some proportion to condition. In any condition this sword is a mind blower. How often does an opportunity like this come along to a collector at this level? For arguments sake, let's say the hamon does skip and isn't visible in a section. That affects price and papers, BUT, it's still an incredible find. I would think collectors would still be tripping over themselves for a chance to put it in their collection. Anyways, I'm rambling, this story and journey is just amazing to me and I feel like I've had a front row seat. Thank you

Jussi, to answer your question, yes.

Any pictures that can be shared? Shirasaya and sayagaki by Tanobe sensei?

You have purchased three swords that already had NBTHK papers and you disagreed with those, resubmitted, and received new attributions that matched your conclusions? All from NBTHK? Am I understanding you correctly?

Chris and Jussi your statements make the most sense to me. Buy the sword not the paper as I said before doesn't resonate with me. Of course I'm going to buy a sword that I like but I'd also like to know what I'm getting and try my best to not overpay. I don't want a surprise. I was looking at a particular sword for sale here in the US that was very appealing to me, and had NTHK papers. I thought if I buy that sword I'd like to send it to Japan for NBTHK Shinsa which got me to thinking, crap, what if it failed? Or what if it came back with a different attribution? Did I lose value in my purchase if there was a different result and what if I sold it later, only I would know the differing Shinsa result. Lot's of what ifs and I am very much a novice so I wanted to get the forums thoughts. NTHK comes to US, so that makes it much easier and less costly and time consuming then sending swords to Japan, that I understand. Maybe at some lower price my conscious would be ok with the US Shinsa papers. But if I was parting with my hard earned 15k I would want NBTHK to agree with what I'm buying. Maybe the seller would agree to a guarantee, I don't know. I didn't mean to turn this into which is better, I hope that makes sense.

That question doesn't make any sense to me. No need to explain, I just don't agree with it as it makes sense to have both of course.

Just to clarify, not old "green" papers, but current NTHK-NPO papers. Just so we're on the same page. Maybe the question is out of line, sensitive at least, but curious none the less.