Alex A

Jihada looks a bit too good for the typical Sue-seki The nakago-ana look really crisp. As always, difficult from images.

Save your money for something you will be glad to own

I never thought it resembled Hizen Konuka either but assumed folk were talking about Hizen work done in a tight ko- itame which gets a mention from time to time, not Konuka. I see why Reihnard is saying Shinshinto. The reason i mentioned Osaka, in the image above it reminds me of one of my old blades. VERY tight ko-itame with same hamon. Dates to 1750 ish. Obscure smith This maybe one of those blades where judges scratch their heads and you will get different attributions from a different Shinsa. Its always fun with unsigned blades.

I have one, you can have it

From memory Around 1570 ish, sure ive seen all variants on Aoi,s sales pages, tapered and non tapered. Seems to be less nengo on the tapered. Looking at some blades i would have assumed Edo but Aoi have them down as late Muromachi,.. I get the impression they study the sword and are not so nit picky when it comes to general Sukesdada mei as there was so many and some obscure. Anyways, just thoughts.

Not really with what's available. Looking at it, reminded of something you may find around end of Muromachi, Katate-uchi. As mentioned, cant see boshi/jigane.

Papers tell you its authentic and worthy of preservation. Why pay someone to tell you its authentic and worthy of preservation when you know its authentic and worthy of preservation Always good when there is a mei, looks decent.

Looks quite straight, like Kanbun Saying that though, sori is one of the worst things to judge from images

Seen enough Jean. Try selling one with that flaw. Know what you mean though.

This is why i find buying swords on ebay impossible Always a concern in what's not being disclosed.

Don't see any point in buying anything you don't really like. One day when you see something you really want you will look at the ones you shouldn't have bought and think well, i could of used that money to buy this one but now im skint

Interesting John, good to know Cheers

For a non armour dude, this is a very interesting thread, cheers. Taking the expensive costs of armour into account, now wondering how many would have had to make do with "mix and match" armours, bit like today with collectors on a budget putting an armour together. Hand me downs, 2nd hand and battle field pick-ups. From the cost, im assuming an high number but as said before, you don't find much about this in books.

Could be repaired that Piers.

Maybe look into Edo Osaka also.

I suppose you could send it to NBTHK, if you wish to do so. Looking at examples, you could make it fit Takada. You find Masame in the Shinogi-ji You find a mention of tight Ko-itame and Ko-mokume, aswell as O-hada, rather a mixed bag. You find Ko-maru boshi You find the same nakago You find nioi deki and wide. The minute i saw the hamon i thought Takada. Reminded me of a sword for sale a few years ago. Same irregular gunome/midare and choji, looked like it wanted to be Sukesada but the choji was different. It is written than Takada smiths were quite smitten with Sukesada and on occasion their work will fool folk into thinking Bizen. That sword was towards the end of the Muromachi though. Also written that horimono is rarely seen and usually not the best. Without researching more, the length of the blade to the nakago is a slight puzzle. It does look like katate-uchi but the longest i can remember in that bunch has a nagasa of around 67cm, i guess not too far away. As for the blade shape, well, seen one too many exceptions to the rules.......... rule. Anyways, just thoughts and nothing factual, be interesting to read what others have to say.

Find Ko-maru boshi in Takada, Just ideas.

Difficult from the images. Kasane of 6mm with a worn looking horimono reminds me of Koto, rather than Edo. Be good to see a good pic of nakago. When first looked at the hamon it reminded me of Koto Takada, they also worked in Ko-itame, the Yakidashi dont fit though, from memory (not to say you wont find one as they were known for copying other schools) Its an interesting blade, like it. Ps, some good looking into it by yourself, good to see.

Wow, hits home how far mumei swords can be out on attributions.

Don't look to bad to me. Would just spend some time rubbing the rust with my thumb, touch of oil and a soft rag maybe. Obviously avoiding the soft metal, as mentioned. Some old dumbbells in the garage that pick up rust when i don't use them. When i do use them = beautiful dark patina, no special tactics necessary For the finer details, what was said above.

Welcome, quite a few bonsai enthusiasts here also.

Reading some of this, cant help thinking there is too much focus on the mei and not enough the sword There's that much variation in Muromachi Kiyomitsu, suskesada etc etc mei, personally don't get why folk spend so much time focusing on it. You find papered examples that look nothing like anything in books. Blades out there with later added signatures to the correct smith, some obviously get papered. No way of knowing whether signed by a shaky apprentice at the time or later mei forger on a mumei, some of the time this hobby can be pure nonsense. blade characteristics, then mei. (with more leeway for the likes of Sue Bizen)

Very nice, like the Amida Yasuri, reminds me of this thread https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/7313-ko-sukashi-tsuba-with-amida-yasuri-what-school/ Really like the Mon tsuba.

I have this theory that a lot of the time its intentional, too honest a description and images wont help with online sales

Its a shame folk wishing to help out others have to put up with the resident troll.