Seth

Jeremy, you can not go wrong with either of the books noted above. Thomas is 100% correct check the FAQ at the top and read it ALL, it has many book recommendations as well as other useful information.

Oh wow, a quick google search and you will find that these are low-end Chinese swords. I think you already know the answer to your question, sorry this happened. This is why everyone recommends the fantastic books on the subject before the blades.

The info on the pics is Exif data. Maybe in some scenarios, people dive in head first, and then the new wears off and they realize they aren't into Nihonto as much as they thought and sell back to the dealer? I can see that happening, have quite a few compulsive friends that do not think things through.

Another Nagamitsu tachi. I was able to pull a little more detail out on this as the kesho polish isn't as heavy. No stamps or dates on either.

Wanted to contribute to this thread that I have been through 10 times. I tried to capture details but my photography is sub-par at best! Ichihara Nagamitsu Tachi

............ Thank you for this. Great thread! So much to learn.

Just flipping this for someone with more knowledge than myself.

Beautiful sword, congratulations. Did you have shirasaya made for it? Mind me asking who you had polish it?

For what it's worth, I purchased a blade from EK on a Sunday and he had me a tracking number the next day. It arrived with no issues.

I think you will find that this board will be of much use to you if you respect the knowledgeable members that frequent it (not me, just friendly advice). Coming in aggressive and immediately going into defense mode is never a good idea with anything in life. With that being said the odds of getting a bargain big-name smith is on par with winning the lottery, it's possible but extremely unlikely. Certainly won't happen from a dealer that you say is knowledgeable... All the best.

Okan, this is great thanks for compiling this!

I do not have Facebook, curious as to what the thread or discussion is about.

The post above yours is referencing connoisseurs being sold. Just an FYI.

I was actually able to see this exhibit, it happened to coincide with my first visit to Paris. I could not have had a better time. I thought the art below was interesting.

Eric, for what it's worth I just went through the Yasutsugu Taikan and I have to agree with everyone else. I have just begun studying Yasutsugu so I am by no means close to knowledgeable but the mon looks way off. I know this thread is aging but just spent the last two hours trying to find one that is remotely close. No dice. Side question for the more experienced students how accurate are oshigata in regards to mon and mei? I have never had an oshigata and blade in hand at the same time.

Either or, I read Samurai sword a handbook first and still grab it whenever I have to fly.

I got both in early 2020 from Amazon I believe.

Wondering if it is out of print, I do not recall paying that much.

Hey Andrew, I would start with these two. Then if you have any cash to spare pick up a collection/catalog book, these will be more for enjoyment and allow you to read about and look at some fantastic blades from different collections. With that being said I am not as educated as the majority on this board so I am sure someone with more knowledge will step up with recommendations. The FAQ at the top also has some great books (I purchased all of them and have been working through them slowly but surely.) I would also advise you not to settle on your first blade, trust me I know. I did this just to have a blade in my hand and this was cash I could have just put towards a better blade I ended up purchasing anyway. If you can hold out and keep saving and get up to the 6k-8k realm things will open up nicely!

This helped me tremendously! A LOT of good information and the recommended books were and are worth every penny. http://www.nihontomessageboard.com/faq.html

Steve, Thank you for the information, the Bu variance is interesting.

Thank you both, I believe I see where I went wrong. The space in the sayagaki threw me off. So does this mean Kinju a man from banyo kuni? Also on the second part, I am getting 貳尺参寸八歩 (8 steps) is that correct? If so any idea what that means? Again thank you both!

I know that the sayagaki typically has the mei, dimensions, and the appraiser/owner but mine doesn't seem to line up with the nakago so I don't believe it has the mei, and was curious on what it does have. I took a shot at it with google translate with no luck. Any help would be appreciated!

I do not want to hijack this thread or even get a response but wanted to thank you for the wormhole you just sent me down.

Tried with flash not sure if that helps or not. My lighting is horrible. It is really hard to see anything on this, for me anyway.