David Flynn

It all depends where the money Lies. When one takes into consideration the hassles and costs of sending swords to Japan, no wonder there are many who would take shortcuts. The cost of sword restoration was extremely expensive years ago. Although inflation has helped a little, I still believe one doesn't get real value for money by sending swords to Japan. P.S. I'm not condoning amateur polishers.

avagoodweegend Jean. :D

Sukarno and his forces allied themselves to the Japanese, hoping for independence when the war ended. Some Indonesian soldiers were issued with Japanese made swords. Many others though carried indigenous made "lookalike" swords. This appears to be one of the latter. As an anecdote, a friend used one of the badly made Indonesian ones, as stake for a potplant.

In a competitive market, maybe the Japanese craftsman should lower their prices?

John, this sword could be by Kaneko, who was named and signed Kanemoto in 1944. See you at the Shinsa.

Why not ask them, where the crack is? Ask if they would show you in a photo.

Jumyo (long life) is the smith. Looks like shinshinto/ shinto . Long list of Jumyo, began in Koto, right through to WW2.

Yes

I have seen quite a few Gendai with Ububar.

For some reason This sounds condescending. No1 not everyone involved in Nihonto are on this forum. This really appears to be aimed at one person only and thinly veiled at that.

Firstly, does it have a Showa/Seki stamp? Kanetada made both Showato and Gendai.

At the moment, I'm having a sword polished by Francis Boyd in San Francisco. Quite like his work.

Can't say who polished it, as well as name the sword. It has been sold on, as is ( for a substantial loss) and I don't want any repercussions. I only posted to show even professionals, can stuff a sword.

I sent a sword to Japan through and agent. The sword was by a Gendai Mukansa smith and was published. When it returned, I was beside myself with grief, the polish was terrible and there was a dip in middle of the blade (Quite large and noticeable). I quickly notified the agent (who said he could not see the problem) and asked it be returned to the polisher and corrected. When the sword was returned the second time, the polish was much better, except the dip was even more noticeable. I consider this sword ruined and it was by a "professional" Japanese polisher. I will not use this agent or polisher again.

I believe this sword is now on ebay!

Nice to meet you Blair, welcome.

I had a sword sent to me from Japan. I was told they couldn't send it EMS, that it would have to come Fedex. However when it arrived, it was via EMS?

Hello. First you need to add your name as per forum rules. Saying that, what you are trying to identify is a (Ka)Mon (Google, Japanese family Mon). This is equivalent to a coat of arms. Everything else points to just being a Japanese officers sword. To find out more about the actual sword, you need to remove the Tsuka(hilt) and strip the fittings from the sword. Pictures are needed of the Nakago (tang), the blade and the Kissaki(point/tip). Upon posting these pictures, you will receive opinions on the age, name of smith (if written on the nakago) etc.

Shigetsugu.

Has been used as an alternative in Japan for ages.

I use Camellia oil myself.

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Obviously, no loss

If I see a sword that's past it's use by date and the fittings are good and the price is right, then bingo, I would definitely buy it for the fittings. Whether or not I would strip it, depends on the condition of the koshirae. If it is good enough to keep it together fine, otherwise, I haven't a problem about stripping it.

When did the Bungo Takada school end? Did this school continue into the Showa Period? I have a sword dated Meiji 38, has anyone heard of any made later?