ChrisW

Buy the blade for what it is, not the name it purports to be. If it is good workmanship, then the signature matters little. If the blade is not good workmanship, then there will be another that does speak to you eventually.

I would reserve any judgement on the value / restore-ability for a togishi's (a sword polisher trained to handle Japanese blades) opinion. They are going to be the final say on any nihonto in my humble opinion. Seek one before deciding what to do with this item. I would not sell this item before you know that opinion.

As I recall, Japanese netsuke are entirely legal to own and sell in the US (IN MOST STATES) as long as they are under 200 grams, are older than 100 years of age, and you must be able to reasonably prove their age. I can't remember the laws on import/export.. I want to say neither is allowed. That being said, I doubt that Chinese made ones would past muster for legal standards. I have a friend who is not on this board, but collects netsuke in addition to nihonto and he has quite a lot of them.

I highly doubt the bohi termination point has much to do with how much boshi you have left. If on a sword with regular bohi, the kissaki has to be reshaped and includes the bohi, then you'd probably lost all tempering in the point anyways. But I could be very mistaken also.

I would also check the inside of the nakago-ana and see if you can see casting seam lines. Often, the fit and finish on fakes/reproductions is such that they didn't bother to clean up casting seam lines.

Not offended at all. People are aware if their photos are poor quality. Not all of us can afford or desire the latest crap. My phone is about six years old at this point. You can ask kindly if they can furnish better photos, or you (as you do) can come off as rude and pretentious in the request. Perhaps it is a cultural thing? Perhaps it is just you. And I am fully aware that your canned response to photos you don't like comes as a result of Brian getting after you for your 'personalized' responses. That all being said, when I do get a better setup, I'll try again.

This is all Brian will let you say now, eh?

Here is what I believe to be a Ko-tosho tsuba from one of my blades, came mounted on a 29.5" Sukesada. Interestingly, it has a very prominent kirikomi on the rim to the side of the sukashi cutout. It is a superbly thin piece, barely a few millimeters in thickness, but 3.5" across!

@O koumori This is the topic, check it out Dan! To the others, Dan just had a blade polished that is signed/dated to Naotane, but it might be a Kajihei blade.

Will keep an eye open for it! If it pops up on eBay, I'll notify you.

This is a site for the preservation of Japanese swords, regardless of their era. You won't get any traction or support for your idea as is. If you want to create such a thing, honor the history by making it from new parts and new materials, using their techniques. Not by mutilating a surviving veteran. This would be the proper way to realize your idea. Regardless of your theories regarding cultural Stockholm Syndrome, it is well documented that such things as the Kyu Gunto were in fashion at the time of their creation. (As well as being seen as a way to catch up technologically with the rest of the world.) Much like things such as the creation of cloisonne fittings or Namban tsuba. Culture is an artistic expression and extension of what people find to be worthy of sharing, and as such, culture is shared and blended when it comes into contact with other cultures. People like and dislike things, but that is getting into the philosophical field of aesthetics, and one can easily spend years talking about that. As said, if you want to create such a thing, leave the antiques alone. They are venerable survivors of a past era. Make it from new material!

A Takayama-to is somewhat collectible by Showato standards. They have an interesting story, but are not considered traditionally made. They were made using a chromium/vanadium steel alloy and were called "anti-rust steel" and were commonly used by the Navy (which is backed up by the fact that it is in navy mounts). If you want to see another, I have one myself that you could see (as well as other wartime and antique nihonto).

The mounts don't match the workmanship style or quality the Japanese did, even during wartime. The nakago is poorly shaped and the kanji on it are written in such a manner that doesn't evoke confidence. Also, I can see what looks like damascus folding lines in the nakago, so the steel isn't Japanese either. I think this is a recent reproduction/fantasy piece.

Its an authentic Japanese sword. The blade looks like it is from the late 1500's based on the shape of the blade and the patination of the nakago. It is also o-suriage meaning that there is nothing of the original nakago left. Mounts look recently restored within the past 50 years. Can't tell much about the tsuba, pictures don't show enough detail on most of the fittings either. Would need more pictures to give you more information, but the good news is that it appears legitimate!

I am not convinced it is one of his swords; however many a smith did utsushi of older pieces. What tips my belief towards this is: the condition of the nakago, the relative healthiness of the sword, presence of fumbari on a blade that otherwise pretends to be o-suriage, and the hardness of the steel (the chipped boshi is an indicator of this). I have a blade papered to Aizu Kanesada. I'd have to see this blade's hamon more clearly to make a judgement of if he possibly made it.

Looks like a utsushi of a Muromachi piece to me. Aizu Kanesada (11th) did pieces that give off a similar feeling to this one. Probably Shin-shinto.

From Japanese Sword Index: "The Kanefusa lineage of swordsmiths of Mino Province dates back to the Muromachi era in the 1400's. The 23rd generation Kanefusa worked during the WW II era and was a direct descendant of this famous line of swordsmiths. This lineage continues today with the 25th generation Kanefusa. The 23rd generation Kanefusa's name was Kato Koichi. He was born in 1900. During the Showa period he studied under Kato Jumyo and worked in Seki (Mino / modern Gifu prefecture). During the war years he made many blades for the military, both army and navy, and for civil officials. He won numerous awards in sword exhibitions and contests during this period. He was ranked 1st Seat (National Swordsmith) in the 6th Exhibition of Swords held in 1941 (Slough). He was ranked Kibin no Retsu in 1942 by Kurihara Hikosaburo at the Tosho Banzuke (J.Kim). Many of his blades are signed as being prize winning blades. Blades by the 23rd generation Kanefusa have received origami from the NBTHK or NTHK. This school of swordsmiths is noted for making a special style of hamon known as "Kanefusa midare". There are several blades known made by Noshu Seki 23rd Generation Kanefusa which have the kiku-sui crest carved as a horimono on the blade (not on the nakago). These blades were not made at the Minatogawa Jinja Tanrensho and have no known connection with it. These swords probably were a special order from a group of naval officers or a naval officer's club associated with the Minatogawa battleship. This same style Minatogawa crest is occasionally found on blades by Asano Kanesane. These are also thought to be special order blades and not associated with the Minatogawa Jinja. Among signatures on the 23rd Generation Kanefusa blades are: Kanefusa Fujiwara Kanefusa Noshu Seki ju Fujiwara Kanefusa Seki ju Ni ju San Dai Kanefusa Noshu Seki ju Ni Ju San Dai Fujiwara Kanefusa saku kore (oshigata shown left) Some blades bear inscriptions about awards or being prize winning blades. Sho or Seki tang stamps may appear on the nakago. Some of his blades were signed nakirishi mei. He forged both traditionally made gendaito and non-traditionally made showato using mill steel, thus each blade must be judged on its own merits. Kanefusa blades are found mounted in shin-gunto (army) or kai-gunto (navy) koshirae and shirasaya. The 23rd generation Kanefusa is listed in the Toko Taikan, in Hawley's Japanese Swordsmiths, and the Nihonto Meikan. " Kanefusa produced medium to high-grade showato and medium to high-grade gendaito. As for which your sword is? It would have to be judged in-hand to have a proper opinion rendered. But if there is a noted lack of Seki or Sho stamps, then it speaks more towards the possibility of gendai but it is not conclusive on its own. The present of nie/nioi, hada, and other particle activities would be conclusive. Also, I recognize that you're new to this, so some terminology: Showato = mass produced, machine assisted swords made in a non-traditional manner. They are worth less than gendaito and are usually made considerably less well. Gendaito = hand made, traditionally made swords made of tamehagane. Made during the last few years of the 1800s and up to the end of 1945. They have all the characteristics of older-made Japanese swords and are worth considerably more than showato. I THINK I can see particle activities, but that call should only be made in-hand. You can directly message me if you need more assistance. ~Chris

Have you asked Grey Doffin?

Bring it by the Indiana Token Kai tables at the Chicago Show next year and I'll help you lighten your load! Sure, its no Gassan blade but its still an attractive enough blade in my book. It looks like a decent enough Kaga blade as Kirill says.

Pretty sure this is a fantasy piece made from real components.

Burmese Dha, missing most of the ornamentation that one would have.

Later Edo mounts, missing the kurigata. Interested fluted saya. Condition isn't beyond saving, not sure of the signature on the tsuba.. looks like it was dropped and has cracked through. Cast metal maybe? Can't tell much of the blade itself without closeups, but also probably Shinshinto. More pictures would help assess the condition. The best way to get an opinion is to get an in-hand assessment done by a collector or dealer you trust.

You are more than welcome to attend the next Indiana Token Kai meeting and bring it for an in-hand assessment by our members. You'll also have the opportunity to see and handle many legitimate nihonto there! We meet every third Saturday of each month, 10am to 2pm, downtown Martinsville Library. Message me if you'd like directions/details.

Agreed, this does not look to have any of the typical hallmarks of Japanese craftsmanship.

A shame you can't post outside the UK! I get the feeling you'd get some very quick sales internationally.