bobtail44

thanks for your help! I was leaning that way before I posted but im not informed enough to know if I was giving some rare sword away so I thought id check here. Usually its easier to tell but the koshire threw me a bit. Cheers, Trent Spencer

thanks, you didn't miss it, I did T Spencer

Do you have any information on it? it seems like a unique wakizashi

Last lot of pics T Spencer

Next lot of pics T spencer

Hi Everyone, I am thinking about buying this sword. It is a blade taken after it was handed in at the end of WW2 that hasn't been on the market yet. I have the opportunity to buy it as Ive just viewed it. Asking price is $2000 from the veterans son. It has a average saya but I didn't take pics of that because it didn't seem particularly interesting. The blade is in very good condition but has a few forging flaws but no damage. Very bright hamon though. Sorry photos had to be severely cut down due to size restrictions. Blade isn't signed on the side of the tang but on the top under the collar. Anything you can tell me about the koshire of blade, the blade itself, plus what you think its worth would be greatly appreciated. Cheers, Trent Spencer

You would be doing very well if you got 200 dollars for it. Thhe condition is quite poor and the restoration would likely cost as much as the blade is worth. T .Spencer

Ebay is a great tool if you learn how to use it properly and you exercise some common sense. I bought a very cheap 1935 military katana from showa22. Even though I asked extensive questions he still outright lied about the condition of the blade. When I questioned him after the items arrival he offered a partial cash back refund. I wanted a full refund and he admitted he was wrong but I didnt care that much and decided to keep the sword. He will obviously say anything to complete a sale and that should be kept in mind. I'd also like to add that he uses other accounts to increase his auction prices. That is just based on my own observation. T. Spencer

Hi, I just turned 25, I have a dozen or so blades now. My interest started when I was 17 watching an anime called Bleach. I watched the market for two years on and off, before my first purchase. I have only made money and not lost any so I consider myself doing well. I buy and sell swords to pay for new ones. So far I've collected about a dozen which I am pleased with considering my age and many other interests. The ones that I am keeping I consider fine art. It is a very satisfying pastime but is hard to start without hard knowledge and a bit of capital. This is a great forum, im pleased to be here, T Spencer

Yes I was referring to the tassel, I don't think it was added to increase the value of the sword. All of the part numbers match up as well so that would suggest they were customized for that sword. I know next to nothing about SA I just thought the swords that he had were curious. T. Spencer

Yeah sorry, Im trying to get my sig to auto insert but it isnt working T Spencer

I'm part of the Bleach crowd so I guess that's ok Trent

This sword sold a while back on ebay. It might have been discussed here already but I couldn't find it. Is the signature gimei? If anyone has any thoughts on it id be interested to hear them. The sword was obviously owned by someone important and its original owner might even still be around. thanks, T Spencer

It is definitely not the same sword, the one sold before had a gold inlaid mei. It was a completely different blade.

and I wouldn't sell it to him or my pair of tanba no kami yoshimichi's which he was disappointed about

If the blade was made for export then why was it re mounted in that koshire? I mean it has just come out of Japan and I wouldn't have thought someone would re mount a blade like that without some personal attachment to it? Was it common for people to mount personal family items in tokugawa crests? I had a look at export type blades and they seem like that have a lot less personalization to them. The koshire has very detailed flowers painted all over it. I greatly appreciate the information I am just trying to learn more about it because I spoke to a Japanese sword dealer and they said it is quite rare to find something like that in that style. Trent

I guess the only way to find out who really made it is to compare it to other oshigata. The thing is I wouldn't have a clue where to find something like that when it isn't online. I was told Hawley was a very good reference so I bought it but is doesn't show the actual signature as it was written by the smith. I just wonder how such an obscure tanto ended up in Tokugawa koshire, that seems quite ornate. I paid $1100 for it as it looks quite impressive but I really have no idea what it's worth if someone makes an offer on it. I'm not selling for a to make money, but people collecting where i am make offers and trade etc all the time. Trent

It seems weird that there isn't any material on this smith easily accessible online. Maybe this is the wrong section of the forum for info on smiths? Trent

Thanks for that Is he one of the smiths in Hawley? and does anyone have any other info on it or what it might be worth? Trent

I'm new to Japanese edged weapon collecting and this forum. I just bought this tanto at auction. The second character is "mitsu" but I am not sure of the first one. The mounting hole is through part of the signature. I thought someone with far more experience than me might have seen this style of blade and know what the missing part of the signature is. Thanks in advance, Trent