Mark S.

And it would be helpful if you would define ‘value’. Value is a very subjective term. By ‘value’, do you mean real and authentic? Well then yes, it is a real WW2 era blade. It has ‘value’ to some who collect WW2 era blades but less value to those who only collect earlier blades. If you like it, can afford it, and enjoy it, then it has value to you.

Not sure if I am reading your question right, but I think most papers are now all photo at least at Hozon and Tokubetsu Hozon level and both the NTHK organizations. Date has more to do with photo vs. oshigata than anything else (older papers are oshigata).

So going back to your original question, is the blade worth shinsa to you? That is all that matters. If you ask others if it is worth it to them, you have to be ready for many to say “no”… and that is an honest answer because it isn’t worth it to them. I guess in the end you have to decide if you are collecting/shinsa’ing for you or them. By the way, I have blades that many would think are not worth a shinsa that I sent to shinsa for me… and even a couple blades I have had polished for me that others would not consider worth a polish.

You are correct. In all collector markets there are ‘levels’ of collecting. Each person has to decide where they fit in. Some will only collect and be satisfied a completely original, one of a kind Michelangelo. Others might consider hand sketches done by Michelangelo as practice or to work out ideas for a great masterpiece to be collectible. Others might only be able to afford other lesser known artists who worked in the same time period and style as Michelangelo. Others can only afford limited edition prints and copies of original work. Others tear a page out of National Geographic of a Michelangelo painting and hang it on the wall.

Tell you what… repost this in its own thread instead of being an albatross and crapping all over this thread. Then I will politely explain to you what other photos I need to assist with ID instead of being a tool and dismissing you out of hand. Then I will do my best to give you an OPINION without being a tool to you or anyone else on this board who gives their OPINION and tries to help. All skills you completely lack and/or are just too much of a $&@$@! to share. Get it??? If you don’t, then you just continue to prove you are a silly, unserious person who is here for completely different reasons than 99% of us. Honestly, I have never been able to figure out what you offer or what you get out of all this… but that’s on you. As my Mother (90 years and still going strong) always says, “Be a help, not a hinderance”, which was always a warning to her sons that we better get our $h!t straightened out…

You would think giving endless gimei opinions without a blade in hand on an ON-LINE platform would be “harmful”…

You participate on an ON-LINE platform and then complain people use that ON-LINE platform to ask questions or give advice ON-LINE. Try to get this straight… IT IS WHAT IT IS AND IT IS WHAT WE HAVE. We understand that and we accept it. If you can’t, don’t or won’t, then you have choices. We have heard your concern ad nauseam, and just because we ignore you doesn’t mean we don’t get it. We understand it, but don’t accept it or agree, you are given permission to stop. We will continue on. And stop with the ‘harmful’ over exaggeration. No one is being harmed, the earth isn’t spinning off its axis, light and dark matter aren’t coming into contact, and the universe is not out of balance… well at least not because of a few ON-LINE opinions. Please just stop… you are becoming a caricature.

Of course not! You’ll find many dealers willing to help you. But do understand that these hunts require patience. They can be fun but frustrating as well.

I believe this may be a cast reproduction.

From the “Shows and Events” section: Mr. Ohashi (kodogu), Mr. Sasaoka, Mr. Kawashima, Mr. Kuwabara, Mr. Morikawa You can get more shinsa and show info there. With the passing of Miyano Sensei it will be interesting to see how the shinsa results shake out moving forward.

I do agree with you somewhat, but I also think the ‘someone’ is the issue. If I am giving my opinion on the kantei of a blade and sign a piece of paper saying this is what I think it is, well, that’s worth less than the piece of paper unless you agree with me too. And if another person doesn’t agree with an NBTHK or NTHK opinion, then no ‘convincing’ is gonna convince them. In every field, there are ‘experts’. We don’t HAVE to trust them. Many do. It really is a personal opinion (just like the paper) as to whether you give it weight or not. It’s not good or bad, it’s just the way it is.

It would probably be assessed as ko-itame

NTHK papers (both flavors) are a little more ‘educational’ and probably tailored more to an overseas market who need a little assistance.

It only matters that I enjoy what I am collecting now. Someday that won’t matter… why would I worry about what others collect?

Just saw this one on a blade with koshirae on eBay. Didn’t give me that warm fuzzy feeling…

A bit esoteric maybe, but a silhouette of a monk (with head bowed?) or other person holding a sugegasa (large straw hat) or other item in front of them? Not sure if such a pose would have any deeper meaning for Japanese? End of a trip? Respect before entering temple? Etc.? Like a ‘tip of the hat’ means something in the western world (at least it used to). I’m just throwing it out there because sometimes little things are lost in translation over time and/or between cultures. Only photos I could find quickly.

But I SO wanted it to be this…

After some more searching, I think I found your ‘hammer’ and fish: Mokigyo

The ‘fishing pole’ looks like a bow for a kokyu (violin-like instrument)? Still not sure about the fish?, but what’s the old joke?… “you can tune a piano, but you can’t tuna fish!”

Thank you Piers. Always so much more to learn.

For all the discussion of gimei based on a stroke here or there, two really great photos of both these mei side by side would be enlightening. Both signed by the same hand on same day… identical? Just for discussion sake…

So Momijikari = “red leaves hunting” or "autumn leaf hunting” - to admire the beautiful autumn leaves

Thank you so much.

Steve… thank you so much. I always try with nihonto related items, but without any working knowledge of written Japanese, I rely on the kindness of members.