Alex A

Looking for the above, school/style don't matter. Just to be clear, full tree design/carving, not just flowers. Good to high quality If not pine but you have another tree tsuba, plum etc., whatever, may consider. Pm me if have anything. Cheers.

Looking at the picture of the koshirae, quite surprised. The reason being i expected the tsuka to be longer. The thought i am having now is the sword nakago/reach was simply too short for a new owner, so had it amended. The only thing that gives it aways when the tsuka is on is the habaki, otherwise you would just assume its a regular sword. Think the image above really exaggerates.

I was joking Jean

Maybe someone seeking an advantage the day before the duel.

I suppose the flaw Shinae is also an indicator. Lines/ripples in a blade where a bent blade was straightened. I can only ever remember seeing this flaw once and that was on a blade in the sales section here many years ago, that was a Koto sword.

Ridiculous that Museums don't check with someone that knows how to describe them, kind of embarrassing really.

Yes, one on a site a few weeks ago, Tadahiro.

KANTEI 1 – SUGATA #6 | Markus Sesko Curiously, Osaka smiths gets a mention for adopting Kanbun Sugata.

Of course, its just that when folks talk of Kanbun Sugata it usually means little sori. Though seen loads of that era with the more usual sori, just bought one in fact. This is what im talking about. It used to be mine many years ago. Though back then it didnt have the marks on the blade, had NTHK papers and was a lot cheaper. It was almost straight with sori of 0.6mm, from memory. The Lanes Armoury | A Beautiful Shinto Katana By Kaga Kiyomitsu With NTHK Kanteisho Papers Kanbun blades of that sori can get you good deals on the bigger name smiths, if your ok with that shape, that is.

Ps, out of curiosity. Does anyone else kind of think that the mid 1700s always comes across as a bit of an oddball era for Japanese swords?. As in it feels like compared to other times, less is said about that era. Maybe its just me , dunno.

Why Jacques? Can you rule out the possibility that the sword was ordered those dimensions during Kanbun?. Sori of 0.6mm makes me think Kanbun. Im not saying it is Kanbun, just curious. Reminds of an Osaka sword i had dating to around mid 1700s.

Briefly, taking a closer look at the nakago and other features that are clear, reminds me of an Osaka Shinto. The nakago, jigane, hamon. Not saying it is, but that's where i would start to look as that what it reminds me of.

Very impressive, cant remember ever seeing one here before, thanks. Glad I've never ever had to ship one, can only imagine it may have been bit of a dilemma.

Its Shinto, note the masame in the shinogi-ji and have others have mentioned, has Kanbun sugata. Looks a decent sword.

Ok, i will come clean about why i may have sounded a little miffed about this thread. In your own words Lewis, you have only been collecting a year so are relatively new to the hobby. I don't like to see anyone in that situation take unnecessary risks. I don't know if you sought advice, if you did then that person should have advised you to buy something else. Its ok people giving opinions here but people here wont be out of pocket should it fail. Obviously, your willing to take risks and i admire you for that, and i hope it works out for you. If i came across a grumpy old git then i apologise and wish you luck. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it is only attaining papers that matters, as that was your intention from the start. Best.

Good luck Lewis. No gain without risk, so they say.

Agree about the financial aspect.

"REPEATED", i made one comment, that was it. No matter what you say and how you word it, you know as well as i know that the only opinion that matters is that of the NBTHK, sorry but thats a fact you need to accept. Talk about the blade as much as you want. Good luck Lewis, and i mean that sincerely. Ps, If you find the general section to be irritating, you dont have to go there, it has nothing to do with Nihonto, for the most part. For some of us. we have discussions and hobbies that are of interest.

On a side note and something i did not mention. Whilst its all great discussing such blades, as anyone considered the fact that its going to be Lewis throwing money at it?, not those that are participating in this discussion. Its bought now, though when someone asks me "is this legit?" via PM, which happens now and again. Will tell them straight, if its from Japan and been in a dealers hands, don't buy it. There is no shortage of legit blades with papers.

Again, my point was not about the discussion of the blade, i made a point that whatever conclusion you guys come to does not matter. It adds nothing to the blade, im sad to say. In a month from now this thread will be forgotten. Lewis and any other future owner will obviously be able to view this discussion from now until eternity and it wont make a difference. Sadly, when it comes to the more sought after higher value blades, that's how it is, the only thing that matters is that it attains NBTHK papers. Personally, id be asking myself why a dealer in Japan let it go. I hope it all works out for you Lewis, as i mentioned in my post at the beginning. Michael, you are out of order, you know what i state is a fact. You can all talk about this blade until you are blue in the face but your conclusions mean nothing, just opinions that carry no clout. Discuss it all you want. Dealers and honesty, that's another subject.

So you guys think you are above NBTHK now, that have seen it in hand?, incredible. I guess pulling mei and what not from books and illuding to the the odd observation makes one an "intellectual" on a subject, give me a break. What is it with people that makes them online expert? Perhaps there really should be NMB Shinsa papers What i have learned, those that know have nothing to say, think on.

Hoshi, what's with the down vote?, Repeating words from other writers doesn't make you an "expert"

Not sure why you have gone off on a tangent Michael, what happens in the "general" thread has nothing to do with Nihonto Wise enough to know no one here can make judgements that matter on that blade, no matter what names you throw in to the mix, the only one being Jussi who i do have some kind of respect for as gets off his ass to to offer something new. Obviously, you can discuss the blade and offer opinions, but that wont further the blade as your opinions are irrelevant in the grand scheme of things and add no value, such as NBTHK papers. (sorry but that's just realistic, no talk here will add any value or authenticity, it is what it is and sadly, knowledge and references don't equal that of nbthk) Throwing the term around "Intellectual" doesn't really assist in your pursuit. You saying this conversation is above me or something? Personally, not bothered. Know enough to know you guys wont match the NBTHK , especially in images, Jacques will attest to that. Good night, God bless. ps, made a polite point but obviously brushed some feathers, for reasons i cant be assed with Weird, i guess some folks think they know better.

Its just that they have it hands with all their references next to them and still were undecided. Guys here from images with the emphasis on the mei. Who knows though, a fresh shinsa may come to an agreeable opinion.

Nice read.