MKS-13

Similar, yes. Almost mirror image, no. I'm working on taking some good photos to put side by side, but not having much success with it.

I understand completely. Being half Japanese (on my Father's side) and spending a LOT of time there in my youth I have fallen into being somewhat vague about things. I actually feel that the Japanese have mastered the art of intentional vagueness. It really is a bit impressive to say something and not really say much. That being said, I realize that with papers for any blade our western minds want to see it as finite, not fluid.

Thank you all for the fantastic conversation about the sword, papers & the den rating. I find it fascinating. In my reading of it seems that interpretation changes if den is before or after. Correct me if I'm wrong, but den before could be taken to mean in, English perspective, "probably by" (leaving a bit of wiggle room) and den after could equate to the English equivalent of "like". For example: den before = That painting is probably by Rembrandt den after = That painting is Rembrandt like I occurs to me that once papers are made they are really certifying the blade so it makes sense that they would be overly cautious in their language.

Admittedly I do not read Japanese, Hiragana, Katakana or Kanji. These are the papers I have linked to this tanto. With that said, I can see Sengo, I think. If I am totally wrong thus far please let me know. I would love an education on the how the paper reads. Would members be willing to advise me?? Please? Thanks to all.

Apologies, I may have posted the wrong papers. I'll double check the reference # in my records.

Note. I THINK picture 3 goes with this item.

As promised here are the papers that I found for it. Apologies it is not my best photography work Thanks,

John - Thanks for splitting the post. I appreciate it. photos of paper will be posted shortly.

Stephen is correct. I'd be happy to post a photo of the papers, but I have to figure out how to start this in a new thread first. Give me a day or so. Thanks,

Thank you, I'm pleased to hear that it looks good to you all as well. Makes me more comfortable with my instincts. The temper gives me the feeling of ocean waves. It has papers and I just learned yesterday that the papers indicate the smith to be Nidai Muramasa.

Trent, I didn't purchase this on ebay, I inherited it in about 8 years ago. I seem to think my Father acquired it in the 1980's.

Okay, so I'm not much of a "post on forums" kind of person, but I felt compelled to post here. I understand the OP's questions and attempt to bring category and science to his studies. I have struggled with this desire for several years and I find that I frustrate myself and put the study materials away for another day. The first thing I noticed from the OP is this equation [higher $ = better]. I don't believe that to be true across the board. I want to preface this by saying that I know VERY LITTLE about swords, and less about their "market value". Once I learned or accepted that swords are art then I began to be able to asses them as art. So if you take everything that Trent said and applied it to paintings / prints (generic wall art), the same holds true. Is it torn or faded? Is it signed? Are the brush strokes consistent with the signed artist's name? Is it old or new? Did someone certify it as original? Was that certification Christie's Auction House or Bubba's art papers emporium? Who is selling it Christie's or John Doe's auction house? See where I'm going with this. So while the technical details about flaws and such are very important, it is the non technical stuff that is hard to quantify that makes one desire a sword or not. The interesting thing about art is that there really is no "correct" answer. Many people love Andy Whorhol or Salvador Dali, I don't. If you gave me one of their "certified original" works of art, I would probably sell it for my kids school tuition. It does not interest me and I have no desire to learn about or enjoy or look at their art. The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck on the other hand is my most favorite (many would think I'm crazy)... I digress. So, I think it is the same with swords some people love certain schools, certain makers, or specific types e.g. katana, waki, tanto, yari, etc. Also characteristics of swords may attract someone to it. very wavy temper lines, very straight tempers, length, weight. I will attach pics of one tanto that I inherited. I immediately loved it, despite it's flaws, and I will not part with it. A somewhat similar one I also inherited I did not like so much, so that one is on the market. It is a very personal venture for collectors of anything in what they like. Also, for everything there is a collector. Some people may have the desire to collect mumei works and strive to discern as much about it. Other's like "fixer up-ers" buy a rough blade, polish it and get papers for it. It is the feeling of bringing it back that makes them happy. For anything out there, there is someone who collects it. The ultimate price of an item is what someone is willing to pay for it. If I really like something I would pay what I could to own it. If I didn't like it too much I would not buy it. Just my 2 cents, here are the photos of the tanto I LOVE!

Thank you for looking into this sword. The links are great. What a difference in the tempers of these 5 blades. Thank you all so much for assistance with this.

Her are a few pictures of the kogai. Thanks again.

Additional photos of the blade. It is really difficult to photograph any activity in the blade. I hope that your trained eyes will see it better than mine.