Alex A

Hi Ben, according to JW Bott (the sword of Japan book), a groove cut by the swordsmith who made the sword, will usually run the full length of the sword, including the nakago. (maybe others have a different point of view?) A groove cut at a later time, known as "atori-bori hi", will normally stop in in the vicinity of the habaki to preserve the signature. Yours was cut later, how much later I dont know, a few months?, fifty years?, who knows, sometimes ware gives you an inkling. Look into your sword, look to see if Horimono was common to the school. How common horimono were on mass produced swords is a good question, I can only assume not to common, taking into account the 1000s up on 1000s made which were considered disposable. It was expensive for the Ashigaru and possibly low rank Samurai. Saying that though, there was money to be made on and off the battlefield, so who knows maybe the odd horimono was paid for with loot or by the reward from a severed head of an opposing big wig I'm not too clued up, be good to hear other views. Ps, I would save money on the koshirae idea, and stick with the shirasaya idea

Hi Ben, looking at your latest pics, with the one mekugi-ana, looks Ubu to me, a lot of these type of swords are Machi-okuri, with two mekugi-ana. I see your mekugi-ana goes through part of the mei, someone was none to fussy in the fittings/mei department, see that from time to time. In this case, I guess less care was taken with the non-custom made swords during those times. (sengoku) Its not an arty-farty sword, but a sword made for battle, reminds me of an Uda tachi I own. The Bo-hi is a nice bonus, someone at some time felt the blade was worth it. Looks a decent sword, not Kazu-uchimono, as a lot get labelled, in some of the cases I think unfairly.

Cracking pics!

Hi Darius, have a read of this for starters http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/tsuba.htm

Looks like late Muromachi Uchigatana, as used by the Ashigaru (foot soldiers). Plenty of Sadatsugu,s, as mentioned. Had a quick look for any using Suguha hamon (looks Suguha), one crops up, Tenbun 1530-1550, Satsuma, Suguha or Suguha mixed with Ko-notare Now, I'm not saying this is who made the sword (just an example), just having a quick look. Ben, that's what you need to do, look at all the kantei points, and see what comes up. All fun

Thats the one Jean. Reading my last sentence, folk could be forgiven for thinking im talking home decor, takes a while for the brain to fire up in a morn.

All depends what you want Darius, a wall hanger?, or a sword with some interest?. Folk soon get board with wall hangers. Best.

Darius, I think the price rules are with regards to stuff in the "for sale" section. If you wish to say how much you have to spend on a sword, that's fine. This is a good place to buy, so who knows, name your price and someone may have something. You could place an advert in the "wanted" section. If I were you though, id put it off for a short while, until you get a clear idea of what your looking for, and what price to pay. Learning for a short while will help you spot deals, and spot junk (there is lots out there). Remember whatever you buy, you will one day want to sell, so choose wisely. No rush, stuff always pops up, sometimes better stuff comes along after an hasty buy. One last book recommendation, id buy it whilst its still affordable, probably a great investment https://www.amazon.co.uk/Craft-Japanese-Sword-Leon-Kapp/dp/1568364318?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0

$473!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! on amazon Only paid £20, wished id bought a dozen.

A few Mino Munenaga listed around Kanbun. Nakago condition matches the age, to me. If you look around you will find Kanbun wakizashi with O-kissaki.

Hi again Darius, this is an excellent starting point for new folk, lots of info http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/12646-advices-for-newbies-buyers-rules-of-thumb/?hl=%2Brules+%2Bthumb In your new photos, looks to be grain (hada), be good to hear what the guys down there think. Mumei (unsigned) Shinto blades are not as accepted as mumei koto, although there are some that say you should not buy mumei full stop and others like me (not so fussy). Yours may have the mei cut off when shortened = more guessing games. Its good that you are able to send back if not happy, I sent my first purchase back, after reading a few books, it opened my eyes. That book was "the samurai sword, a hand book". Its cheap, many other good starter books out there too. The less guess work with a sword purchase, the better. Good luck with the sword.

Not 7 (one handed katateuchigatana), I was thinking suriage (cut down) kanbun shape (9), or even kanbun being made to look like koto, then changed my mind, looks wide at the kissaki, but I could be wrong lol Defo not Nanbokucho Remember, there are always exceptions to the rules. Getting late here, a lot to this hobby, as you can see

And another http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/sugata/shape.htm

Its difficult from pictures Darius, this may be of use, give you bit more of an idea http://www.yamakawadojo.com/the%20japanese%20sword%20historical%20changes%20in%20shape.pdf

Hello, as long as there are no Hagire (cracks), I think you done well, I like the blade. One point though, better to know what its worth BEFORE buying in future. Be careful on Ebay.

Hard to get a grasp of the sori from pictures, but from what I can see, I'm guessing Momoyama/early Edo. Just to add, better buying swords in good polish, swords are expensive to have polished. You could ask a qualified polisher to polish out a window, and get his opinion.

No pics? I can see why you would be tempted by the wakizashi, signed with papers, a good start. (would prefer a recent polish), need pics! I can see why you would be tempted by the Katana. We need more info on it, Measurements, Pics including nakago, bare blade, everything the seller can tell you about it, and pics! Blade quality and condition obviously a major factor. I couldn't say without more info, sorry about that.

Kurt, being honest, I would get my money back, For $300 you could get a decent handmade tsuba. Sometimes when chasing a theme it can take you in all directions, look for decent quality, dont rush. If you dont know what decent quality is then learn, dont guess. If you put a koshirae together using low quality fittings, I guarantee that one day you will look at it and think what an expensive pile of ---- Sorry to be blunt, just dont want to see you wasting your money

NMB, such a wake up slap for newbies LOL

Looks like a bad attempt at a mei.

Good advice, cheers

In light of Gordons post with the documentary that describes stealing off the battlefield. Maybe a reason for some mumei blades is that some Samurai simply liked to keep a low profile with regards to the sword they owned, hence asking for them not to be signed, just a thought.

Thanks Gordon, some interesting points in that documentary. One of which was the thieving off the battlefield, maybe another reason to leave a sword mumei. Cheers.

Thanks Gents. Paul, you hit the nail on the head with the word "mediocre", something I want to avoid. I'm looking to maybe own several nice examples, not go to mad. I like Ko-Katchushi/ Ko-Tosho so might start with one of those. Looking through the "high class Tosugu thread", there were many nicely carved tsuba, I would like something along those lines too. Kevin, of course your right about books. I bought some a while ago but always got side tracked with the swords, be good to get back into those as a start for some knowledge building. Look forward to it, hopefully wont end up with 10,000 Cheers.

I seem to be getting more interested in tsuba these days, but a bit wary. It starts with one, then two or three, then before you know it you have a dozen, then maybe dozens or more. There are so many to choose from, from Tosho to Kinko to Yagyu to Kanayama etc etc. So what do you guys do?, maybe move one on when you buy one? (not easy when you get attached sometimes) or do you just keep going? As with swords, maybe there is a quality over quantity approach which eventually kicks in. Read about the guy with 10,000 swords a while ago, must be tsuba collectors out there who don't know when to draw the line. What sensible advice would you give to a new collector of tsuba who wants to buy/choose wisely?