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Thank you all so much. You have all been so helpful and I can go on to do more research. I have purchased the book suggested and more I have found related on the subject. I know many people use this website to get quick information but it can be so difficult if you don’t have much information or experience. I will be doing my best to build a library and not need to ask so much in future. Thanks again all. luke

Hello all, I have a signed kogatana and Fuchi plus a kojiri I believe is signed in gold? I’m having trouble identifying. I don’t have a large database of books to use for reference and I was hoping someone might help identify these makers? I’m sure these questions become a regular situation on this website but I’m not sure where else I can ask. As I am hoping to learn as much as I can I would prefer not to need to ask people for regular help in these matters and would like to start building a collection of reference books my self. It would also be much appreciated if anyone could give me some good books to start with for makers and signatures? I apologise for my ignorance and any help would be much appreciated. Luke

Thank you Alex.

Hello Alex. Thank you for your advice. The reason I have asked is that parcelforce state that they don’t allow blades of any kind to be posted. I understand I can just not state what is in the box but if it is lost for instance I will have absolutely no cover. Saying this I have looked up DHL restrictions and they have absolutely no mention of blades. Lots about firearms but nothing restring blades of any kind. So I’m guessing i can have it posted through them without having to deceive them about what the package contains. The blade is of a reasonably high value so I’m not too happy taking the risk unless I have some kind of protection. Thank you for your help anyway. Kind regards Luke

Hello everyone, Im hoping someone could help me with some information about posting an antique katana in the uk. I’m planing to post a blade to a friend but I’m aware there are restrictions on posting blades in the uk. Could some please let me know the best way to post a blade in the uk? Kind regards Luke

Hello, I hope you don’t mind me commenting on this feed but I would like to add something that I feel is important for all of you as investors In collecting nihonto. I my self am very inexperienced in the vast world of knowledge when it comes to nihonto and could easily be tricked by a high level representation, but I am experienced in antiques and works of art. As you all know reproductions and fakes have been a factor as long as valuable things have been around. It is true that high level fakes can damage a market but can also greatly increase value for genuine items if “proven” to be real. In the current situation of the art world province is key. I’m sure many of you have substantial collections and in the future will be more important as more high level reproductions are produced. What I want to add is just a level of protection for what you all ready have and may acquire, you may already do this but it’s so easily passed as you feel you yourself know what you have. In 30 or 40 years time if you sell or pass on your collection to your children the fact you have a detailed history of what you have and when you acquired it will make every different as to the value and proof of what you have. It’s so easy to go to a fair or if you find a sword randomly and don’t acquire a receipt, that piece of paper or photos from 40 years previous could make all the difference. Treat your collection like an historical archive thinking of it being seen in many years time. I hope you don’t mind me adding this but I feel this is just something to add as it’s how the art world works currently and I’m sure is a huge relevance to all of you with large valuable collections. Luke

The blade is Ihori-Mune. Luke

Not planning to do a thing to the blade anytime soon but I thought someone that can restore the blade might know a lot about what they were looking at in person and have advise. Yes I would be happy to share what I find out about the blade. Luke

Nagasa 241mm Sori 1mm mihaba 23mm Kasane 6mm Nakago 100mm

Ok Paul I will take your advice but it would be very useful to know a good place to get items restored just for the future. I won’t be doing anything to the tanto there is no rush. Just like to learn what I can. Kind regards Luke

Just did a quick search for blade restoration in the uk and found these contacts. Does anyone know of them and if this would be a good place to start looking for having the blade polished? Luke

I have tried to get a picture of the hada but its very hard. I guess Paul is right that the next best thing to do is take it to some people that can view it in person. Everyone has been unbelievably helpful and I can see the addiction of finding and researching these items. I have quite a few interesting finds that I could post someother time if the members enjoy that kind of thing, but I get a feeling of putting people out buy asking or maybe that’s because I’m British. Anyway thank you everyone for the help so far! Luke

Ok I can truly see the characters on the left side now. It’s fascinating. Luke

I have put a filter on this picture and you can definitely see the lines of what look like characters. But it’s possibly too lost. Luke

Here are close ups and I’m sure I can see faint lines but can’t see any characters that stand out. Luke