James

I came across this sword polishing cream on ebay.com I'm not really sure how well it will work for you, but it seems that it has worked for other people. Here's the link for you: http://cgi.ebay.com/Japanese-ANTIQUE-SA ... dZViewItem

http://www.jigokustudios.com

That hamon looks like the 'Yahazu' hamon shown on Richard Stein's sword blade terminology page: http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/terms/terms.htm The hamon looks aggressive, I like it.

What is Shoji's web site addess?

Indeed it did come from Daimyo54. May I ask who Gordon Robson is and the $50 is for an opinion only from the NTHK panel - no papers, correct?

I live in Australia

What steps should I take to get it papered? I have no idea. This sword I bought off Ebay.

Mr Richter you obviously put in an effort evaluating this sword, it's much appreciated. Excuse my lack of knowledge, but I didn't think you would find ashi on a suguha hamon? Being quite new to the Nihonto scene I wouldn't know what I should do to get it papered. Please could someone help/direct/provide info for me about this. Also, should I get it submitted for papers to confirm it's authenticity, then consider a fresh polish and get it get further papers? Or have it polished first then submitted for papers? I am a bit cautious about getting it polished since I have heard that Tadayoshi blades have thin outer steel layer.

Thanks. I've sent an email to Mr. Robertshaw at hizento.net so we'll see what he says about it. I've just spent some time looking carefully at the sword (just arrived today) and it seems to be very well made. All the lines are very crisp and the edge is very sharp. There is some very minimal damage (rust/very small and shallow opening) and a mune-ware but I believe all of this could be corrected with a new polish. The jigane is excellent, it seems to be nashi-ji and tight mokume. There are some small activities in the suguha hamon. The boshi turns back to about a centimetre past the yokote on the mune. You should be able to see this in the pictures. Here are the links to the photos: http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... ade002.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... da002c.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... aki002.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... ago003.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... ago004.jpg

Hello I am searching for detailed information on Tadayoshi III's works. Any information at all would be helpful; links, photos, characteristics of Tadayoshi (Hizen) swords, oshigatas. I have searched on the internet but I haven't found much at all on this very famous smith. If anyone could share some information from their books, I would be very appreciative. I am asking for this because I recently purchased a unpapered Tadayoshi III wakizashi, and while at the time I thought it would be a gimei (it was a very nice wakizashi anyway), all the information I have found on the internet about Tadayoshi III has matched the wakizashi's characteristics perfectly so far. I'll post photo's if requested. Thankyou

Yes, you're right. My apologies for wasting your time. Thankyou Sencho, Mr Schiller and Mr Turner for your help and contributions. James

Thankyou for that information Mr Turner. The yasuri-mei on this sword does seem to be weak but it is clearly kesho. Still, it probably is a gimei and unless anyone can give me some new info on this blade, I will accept it as that.

Thankyou Sencho. Mr Schiller, yes I did post it on SFI, however no one gave me much help there so I though I would try somewhere else. May I ask what makes it an "obvious Gimei"? Kind regards.

I have come across this wakizashi nakago that I need some help translating. I think the omote mei says "Suishinshi Masahide". If anyone could confirm this and whether this a genuine or gimei S. Masahide, I would be thankful. I am having difficulties with the ura inscription so any help would be greatly appreciated. 2 of the photos are of the ura (the inscription is quite long) and 1 photo of the omote. There other photos are of the actual blade and the last photo is of the police papers (I think) that go with this sword. Please click on the links. Regards. http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... de/004.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... /omote.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... ura001.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... ura002.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... /002-1.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... /003-2.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... de/005.jpg http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb13 ... papers.jpg