Daso

Thanks. Will definitely follow up when I know more this weekend. Hope it's not a fake.

are Shinto blades typically less desirable than others. My preference is still to have a katana over wakizashi if possible.

Ken, thanks. I was just looking at katana as I was reading your post and looking closely at the Hamon almost see more of a irregular zig zag pattern sort of like Gunome or similar. Hard to tell even in person. The thing that actually really concerns me is the shiny steel. It doesn't seem to really have a grain which I am concerned means it's no a folded blade. I am able to return it which is the good point but it's price was pretty good for what it (might) be if real. I took a close up for Jussi and sort of saw the lines he was talking about but I agree that they look like some file marks. I tried to shine some direct light on Hamon to give you a better look. Really not sure. Will see what people over at NY toke Kai think this weekend. Does this Hamon look odd as well?

Did he sign with the hawk feathers or actual signature? I sort of see what you are talking about but I thought those were just filing marks. I'll look later and post the super mag photo

I will look closer with scope tonight. I wish I could see it but I'll try and report back. thanks for the target.

Jussi, are you talking about my photo? I can't see that at all. I'll use my 400x scope to look in that area when I get home but I looked pretty close.

I could also be a cut down Nanbokucho.

Alex, thanks. It could be 7,8 or 9. Like all say late Muromachi early Edo. Taking it to NY token Kai this Sun and see what everyone thinks.

Hi Alex, thanks. I agree on polish, but I guess it all depends on the price that I purchased the Katana for. Since prices aren't discussed, I haven't seen a decent condition Katana in the price range I purchased this. Ts a toss up I guess as I've only found decent wakizashi in this price range generally higher.

It is a fairly straight blade with little sori. What is the best way to figure out? string from tip to tang and measure distance of gap at highest point? I guess this wouldn't really be worth a polish to see what the Hamon really looks like. Overall it's in nice shape.

Hello All, I also posted this in a continuing thread I had and as I'm new at Japanese swords need help. Hello all, Picked this up and wanted to see if anyone could help me with their thoughts on this Katana. Some of my (newbie) observances which could absolutely be wrong, but I'm trying. Blade tip - O-Kissaki Temper line - Notare Curve - Shallow Tang - Square tip - Kiri - Kaku-ichi-monji Grain - Hard to see any grain - plain ( I hope it isn't a cheap new steel sword) Shape - Shinogi - Zukuri Blade length is 26 1/2 to the beginning of the Habaki, 1" habaki and 6" tang with two holes. There also appear to be three dings in the blade which look like a sword strike but not deep. No hagire that I can see with 400x scope.

So I took a weird detour and went with a complete unknown Katana and need everyone's help in figuring out what I have. Please remember that I am totally a newbie to this newly found obsession and I tend to take some chances at times. I'm posting a bunch of pictures, but below are some of my neophyte observances (please correct me if I am wrong so I learn) and I would love to figure out more about this Katana. I was going to post a new thread as well. Blade tip - O-Kissaki Temper line - Notare Curve - Shallow Tang - Square tip - Kiri - Kaku-ichi-monji Grain - Hard to see any grain - plain ( I hope it isn't a cheap new steel sword) Shape - Shinogi - Zukuri Blade length is 26 1/2 to the beginning of the Habaki, 1" habaki and 6" tang with two holes. There also appear to be three dings in the blade which look like a sword strike but not deep. No hagire that I can see with 400x scope.

Sorry, I didn't take pics of the sword and completely understand that no one can judge the options well with vague descriptions. Will try to get some photos of Katana.

Hello All, After all the fun with my basement Moriie gimei, I wanted to add a more reliable and better condition piece to my collection. I found a very interesting and excellent condition Jumyo wakazashi (21.5" cutting edge) signed Hitachi No Kami Fujiwara with papers (probably year 1650) in good original polish which will cost me a bit more but still in budget or I also found a cheaper good condition Koto period Katana with 27" cutting edge in decent condition but it's unsigned with no history but dealer is reputable. I always wanted the longer Katana but wondered what anyone else thought about these two choices. Any thoughts on the Jumyo swordsmiths as well? This will be my first purchase. Probably $600 difference between the Jumyo and Koto blades. Thanks in advance.

Grey, Completely understood and makes sense. Thanks

Thanks Brian, I tend to get too wrapped up in the small details on first aquisitions (even if free). Thanks for the level headedness. Darius

Hi Grey, Thank you for your and all the responses. I'm not so hung up on the condition if it was really a Moriie piece since at least it's very old, but if it's just someones fake stamp on it and poor condition makes it less overall appealing and more of a closet piece (Of course beggars can't be choosers). What I would really love to find out is if the signature is real. Also, any suggestions for a mount other than the shirasaya? Regards, Darius

I forgot to ask if there is anywhere that one can compare know swordsmiths signatures to see if one looks real? Thanks Again

Hello All, I am brand new here although I have read a fair amount of books on Japanese blades and have collected some fine examples of Bronze and middle age swords. I've always wanted to add a Katana or Wakizashi to my collection but everything I have liked has exceeded my current budget and I do feel like now is a good time to look. This is not the reason for my post. In talking with a friend who knows of my passion for swords, he kindly offered to give me a sword sitting in his basement which his wife wanted him to get rid of (kids in house) and he tried to sell on Ebay and got offers but buyer bagged out. He kindly offered it to me and I would love anyones advice if this is just some junk his dad had that's a rusty paperweight, fun plant whacker or something I could at least put with my collection as real. I've included photos that i took with my regular camera and a micro camera of the signature to see if it was machine stamped, it looks like triangular chisel marks, but they also look like some white material or paint is in the signature to make it visible). The inscription reads 守家造 (Moriie) and when I looked it up on the sword database it seemed to match (although I'm hard pressed to belive this is a 700 year old sword and not some fake). That being said I know it means nothing. The sword itself is not in very good shape with what looks like a series of blisters, some close to edge with edge chipped, lots of scratches and wear. It is in a wood saya and has a Japanese police card (if real). I am obviously not expecting much, but I would like to know if it is a real piece and I do have to say that it balances very nicely in hand. It is about 2o" to the protector and an additional 6 " through tang. It is relatively sharp. The tip looks small but I know little about relative size of a wakizashi. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Someday, I would love a Katana sword with proper provenance, but not right now. The pictures I've included have a few 200x magnifications of where the edge damage is (it is obviously much smaller in relation to a real blade). I also included the only signature I could find of another Moriie blade from a very Expensive and reputable Japanese dealer website (It's the last image and is silver vs the rusted tang on mine)and the strokes look completely different adding more likelihood to my little basement gift. Would love a surprise but I'll leave that to those of you with knowledge. Thanks for any help. D (I'll gladly add any photos needed if helpful)