ChrisW

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

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.

A terrible loss, may his family find peace. We have lost a great artisan.

Gimei blades were made/marked at all points throughout the history of nihonto. Regardless of whether or not this blade is gimei, it is almost certainly an older blade and could still merit restoration. Find a trusted polisher and ask their opinion. You could also take it to a sword club meeting and get opinions there. It is very hard to judge such things from photographs!

Thank you all for the advice! I've no horse in this race, just trying to get information for a friend. He will appreciate your sage words! I'll inform him of how to check.

Thank you Moriyama-san! Now hopefully someone can piece the mei together. I would also appreciate your opinion on the workmanship. It looks decent to my eyes, but I am still not experienced enough to make such a call.

Hello gents! I have a friend here who has had a Kozuka come into his shop. He asked if I could obtain a translation and any information on the artisan. He would also like to know what the theme is and the general quality of the work. Lastly, he is wondering what a fair market price for such an item might. Thanks for any and all opinions!

Mark! Conway! I'm almost insulted that you didn't mention the Indiana Token Kai! We have our meetings every third Saturday of every month (unless a holiday intervenes), from 10am to 2pm at the Morgan County Library in downtown Martinsville, IN. Message me if you have additional questions! ~Chris, ITK Co-Founder

We were actually discussing this at our Token Kai meeting last week. Its been my standard since I started over 14 years or so ago. I prefer very fine unscented tissue paper or microfiber cloth, both will achieve the job but with microfiber having multiple uses (since its a larger area to start with).

I can attempt to answer 2-4. 2. There are a lot of types/shapes of 'small knives'. To name a few: kogatana (the blade in the side slot of a saya, used as a general utility knife), the yoroi-doshi (armor piercing tanto), the ken (two-sided dagger), osuraku-tanto (has a very long boshi, where half or more of the blade is boshi). 3. Any of the aforementioned could be signed, with kogatana having the least likely probability to be legitimate signatures. 4. Kogatana are by far the cheapest usually, with ken tending to be the most expensive/hard to find. Osuraku are pretty up there too (many of the best ones were made by Kiyomitsu). Kogatana can be had for as little as $50 on fleabay (eBay) usually, and the others will run low thousand to several thousands depending on condition, school/smith, papers, etc. Here's a picture of two ken (three actually, but only two are tanto sized). I'll have to see if on a sunny day, I can get a good picture of my yoroi-doshi.

Theoretically, could it not be reshaped into a much smaller tanto? Similiar to how a naginata-naoshi has some of its boshi removed, I wonder if the same could be done to this blade being that it is an osoraku tanto.

It is a fatal flaw on any blade, but it can be considered somewhat forgivable on very old (early Kamakura or Heian) or very historically significant blades.