Travis Clarke

Steve, I don't think there is much you can do to benefit this sword other than what you have already done. You're best to just keep the sword oiled like you already are and send it to a professional togishi for further treatment. Some might suggest uchiko, but that might damage the pre-existing polish.

Beautiful collection, Jean! You should be proud. I used to travel through Paris quite a bit a few years ago when I was working in west Africa. If I'm ever out that way again I'll shoot you a mail. Thank you for sharing!

Hey guys, Here's my newest bit of information regarding this sword. Bizen Osafune Katsumitsu, Eisho (1504-1521). I think it scored around 75-76 points.

On hold.

Greetings, Just a little update. This sword has been professionally re-polished and submitted to NTHK Shinsa in Japan. The verdict.......Sue Koto Bizen. Either Katsumitsu or Kiyomitsu. I'm only getting bits of information so far. I'll update this thread again when I find out more.

Thank you, Joe. I'm sure it will find a new owner soon.

Did you seal the deal, Stephen?

That is one incredible deal for these books. Wow!

Another big price reduction: $3,500 USD, free shipping. A great deal to be had on a fine example from a top smith of that period.

Diego, I think Chris Bowen would be the man to talk to about the mail in service for next years Shinsa. He's a member here on NMB.

Diego, The suguta, hamon and nakago look Hizen to me. There's a Shinsa in Tampa next year that offers a mail in service. A good opportunity to get papers issued for your sword.

Diego, Nice sword. When one judges a Hizen blade one looks for: - Fine ko-Itame hada with chikei forming Kokune hada. - Yamashiro suguta. - Ko-maru boshi. - Dense ko-nie in the ji. - Hamon is nie-deki with bright nioi-guchi. If your sword displays anyof these characteristics you are on the right track.

Greetings gentlemen/ladies, If any members would like the opprotunity to own this beautiful wakizashi, feel free to contact me to work out a payment schedule that is best suited to fit your budget. Thank you.

Man, this looks like fun. I need to get my ass in gear and attend one of these days.

Big Price Reduction: $4,500 USD plus shipping.

Hi Steve, What kind of price range do you have in mind for your next Soshu purchase?

Jon, Thank you for the comments. This is a beautiful wakizashi. Attibuted to one of the top smiths of the Shinto period. A real stunner.

Hey guys, I use a Nikon D3200 with the stock 18-55mm VR lens. As for lighting, I use a desk lamp I purchased from Ikea with a 60w bulb. I usually take photos in my office with potlighting throughout. Also, I don't shine my desk lamp directly onto the blade. I manipulate the light and reposition the sword until I am able to draw out all the activity in the steel. And judging by the feedback, I'm not doing too bad of a job. Thanks.

Few more photos.

Hey guys, A friend of mine recently sent me this sword to look over. He's had it for several years now under the assumption that it is Shinto Ishido School work. That was the opinion of the togishi that last worked on it. It very well could be Ishido work. Last week I posted this sword on a Nihonto Facebook group and started a decent discussion. I've had quite a few very good and informative opinions on this sword so far. Some suggested it could also be a ubu Koto Bizen Uchigatana. Before I thoroughly examined this sword and asked around a bit, I originally thought it was O-suriage. The yaki-dashi and second mekugi-ana threw me off. I figured I would post it on NMB and get a few more opinions. A much broader audience here on the NMB. This sword has recently been returned to its owner. He plans to send it away for a new shira-saya and papers soon. Any and all opinions are welcome. Thanks.

Greetings, This sword is by master smith Tatara Nagayuki of the Osaka Ishido School. The Ishido School found its beginnings in Omi province. Omi Province was home to numerous skilled smiths from late Kamakura period into Nanbokucho period. Around Meio Era (1492) a large number of Bizen Osafune smiths came to Omi and started to produce swords. Sukenaga was among these smiths and is said to be the founder of the Ishido School. During Kanei Era (1624-1644) the Ishido school split into three separate groups. These three groups moved to Edo, Fukuoka and Wakayama. The group of smiths that migrated to Wakayama later moved to Osaka. This group was referred to as Kii Ishido School and was led by Tosa Shogen Tachibana Tameyasu. Kawachi no Kami Yasunaga was also a member of this school. Nagayuki studied forging under Kawachi no Kami Yasunaga. Smiths from the Ishido School are said to be direct descendants of the Bizen Ichimonji School. Tatara Nagayuki was the finest sword smith active during the Shinto period producing blades in the Bizen Style. Nagayuki work displays a powerful O-Choji Midare of the Ichimonji School, Hiraki-Gunome-Choji Midare and Koshi no Hiraita Midare similar to Sue-Bizen Yosozaemon Sukesada. The hamon is generally based on nioi-deki, but not a pure nioi-deki as a hint of nie can be seen. He was also one of the few smiths that was able to produce Utsuri during the Shinto period. During the Shinto period swords were tested by a famous family of executioners, the Yamada Family. The swords sharpness was tested on deceased corpses mostly and detailed records were kept. Throughout this period there were 8 sword smiths whose blades consistently preformed. These 8 sword smiths were designated the rating of Saijo-Owazamono (Supreme Sharpness), the highest sharpness rating a sword can achieve. These sword smiths include Nagasone Okimasa, Kotetsu, Shodai Tadayoshi, Mutsu no Kami Tadayoshi, Shodai Sukehiro, Mutsu Daijo Nagamichi, Shodai Kunikane and Tatara Nagayuki. Fujishiro rating: Jo Jo-Saku (Highly Superior). Toko Taikan rating: at 7.5 Million JPY. Hawleys rating: 50 points. Sharpness rating: Saijo-Owazamono Era: Enpo (1673-1681) Hamon: Wide flowing Hiraki Gunome Choji Midare based off Nioi-Deki with Nie, some Tobi-yaki and full temper can be seen on the Shinogi-ji. Jitetsu: Well grained Ko-Itame hada with Ji-nie. Suguta: Chu kissaki, deeper sori for Kanbun work at 1.4cm Nakago: Mumei, 1 mekugi-ana Nagasa: 43.1cm Kasane: 0.65cm Motohaba: Machi, 2.88cm. Kissaki 2.17cm This piece is especially rare as Tatara Nagayuki produced very few wakizashi. This sword is stored in a quality shira-saya and solid silver habaki. It comes with a nice shira-saya bag, full Oshigata and NBTHK Hozon papers. Asking price: $5,888 USD plus postage. Serious offers will be considered. Donation to the board will be made upon sale. T-clarke403@hotmail.com

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Hi Isidro, After you receive the sword and you have it in hand, you should post some pictures of the entire nakago, including the nakago jiri and the entire signature. Some close up pictures of the kissaki as well as the boshi. Some overall blade pictures and some close ups of the hamon and jihada. Some clear pictures will help. I'm sure there is a thread on here about photographing nihonto. I'll post a link if I can find it. Take care and good luck with your sword.

Here's a nice wakizashi with a two and three body cutting test. http://www.samuraisword.com/nihonto_c/c ... /index.htm Wazamono ranked smith. I just started seeing cutting test wakizashi for sale recently. Nice sword though. Wish I could afford it.

Sean!