Franco

yes Regards

Each case is going to present its own challenges. The bo hi do not appear to have been perfectly symmetrical and lined up to each other on both sides. One side seems to run slightly deeper towards the tip than the other. Then, there has to be consideration for the distance from the tip to the ko shinogi across the top in relation to the placement and length of the yokote combined with how much boshi there is left to work with. Not an easy or simple task for the polisher especially if the hi are not perfectly aligned and now run into the kissaki. There is that, plus, we don't know what other challenges there may have been from previous polishes for the current polish/polisher. An excellent polisher will attempt to correct all previous polishing mistakes. There is only so much metal to work with. Regards

Then almost for certain there is at least a sliver of a boshi remaining. Yes, the boshi simply runs off is how I seem to recall it is talked about in the books. Regards

There may be a sliver of the boshi remaining. Don't see evidence of a cosmetic boshi drawn in. It would have to be an important sword to warrant being repolished and papered with a failed boshi. Is this sword papered? How else would you describe it? Regards

How long is this nakago? Regards

Regards

What happens sometimes with nihonto is that the ha/cutting edge gets chipped. When the blade is then polished the ha gets raised up to the level of the deepest chip [in order to remove that chip]. In the areas where the hamon is shallow there is the distinct possibility that the hamon becomes interrupted, a fatal flaw. There is some indication that this may be the case here. Regards

Please take the time to read the numerous sword care posts with links on this website. Beware that many sword kits come with uchiko. Uchiko can and will leave scratches (hike) behind. I've been purchasing and using sword oil from Bushido swords in Hawaii for decades without issue. It appears that the nakago on this sword may have been cleaned at some point adding to the challenge of correctly dating this sword. Regards

Hello Geraint, Agree. My reply is simply trying to present things to consider especially for a beginner from a collectors perspective. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Buy what you like, but know (understand) what you're buying! Cheers

Ciao, 1. This is not a matter of there being something wrong here for me personally or otherwise. It is more a matter of evaluating this sword, any sword, from the perspective of meeting the criteria and standards for an upper level sword in this category. If one is going to spend good money on buying a Japanese sword, shouldn't that sword be in fact evaluated from the basis of what makes that sword a "collectible nihonto." At the very least one should buy a sword fully understanding what they are buying. 2. There are many Japanese swords for sale. Just as the quality of the sword needs to be considered in the price of the sword. The quality of the polish should weigh in. 3. This sword appears to have muneyaki. If this sword does in fact have muneyaki, the muneyaki should be carefully evaluated. Why, because the presence of muneyaki can say a lot about the quality of a sword. Muneyaki can range from being poor to excellent. The difference matters. p.s Books, read, study, study, study. Auguri

1. Shinshinto swords should be signed and dated with no flaws. 2. No mention of muneyaki. 3. Is this sword supposed to be in new polish? Auguri

Some very big names missing and that's after a quick glance.

Come on now. How about a more educational angled discussion than argument. What's good about this sword? (Besides the price) What's bad about it? This naginata was most likely a woman's weapon based upon curvature and length to be used for self and home protection. It is ubu and signed. It passed shinsa. While the polish is nothing to write home about, it is good enough for study. The value of the shirasaya alone cuts the price of the blade down to about thousand dollars. Is this an art sword, no. It was made to be a weapon first and foremost, and that's all it was ever meant to be. So, whether you buy it or don't buy it, buy it for what it is and not for what it is not. That's simply nonsense. How many Juyo blades are out there that were made by lower than Jo saku ranked smiths? Jussi? Anybody? Regards

Time period? Smith rating? How many Juyo + by the smith? Historical background? Sharpness rating? Tradition? Mainline (Yamato, Bizen, Yamashiro, Soshu, Mino) ? School? Smith? Den? Signed? Dated? Ubu? Shortened? Reshaped? Machi o-kuri? Polish? Flaws? Kantei: Does everyone agree about who made this sword and on the quality? Is this sword an example of the smith's best work? How do you know? How many swords by the smith have you seen/studied? Koshirae? Quality? Homework. Buy what you like, but know what you're buying. Regards

Another essential for the serious student's library.

In general, the better Japanese sword "books" do increase in price over time and become more difficult to find. I see the NCJSC no longer offers Yamanaka's Newsletters revised, too bad. Still, I would contact them and inquire. Yamanaka's should be in every serious collector's library. Place a wanted add here on NMB. Additionally, subscribe to Japanese sword dealers that carry books. Let these dealers know what it is that you're looking for. https://www.Japanese...index.com/sites2.htm Search the internet occasionally - https://search.yahoo...a+(AFU)+Koto+volumes Regards

Yamanaka's Newsletters revised Nihonto Koza (AFU) Koto volumes

https://search.yahoo...0&p=Brian+Tschernega

Brian Tschernega would top the list of artisans I would turn to first for such a project. Recommend holding off on purchasing fittings before consulting with whomever you choose to go with. Lots of luck. Regards Desire is the cause of suffering.

My first experience with nihonto came when I attended a gun show in search of an iai blade for practice. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending upon the perspective, I came across a Japanese Sword Study Group table where it quickly became evident that I had no idea of what a nihonto was or what I was doing. On the fortunate side of things this short overly enthusiastic Chinese man behind the table talked me into buying my first book (The Japanese Sword, by Sato), and then talked me into attending the sword study meeting that evening. A kantei venue where I got to see five quality swords in full polish. That was it, there was no going back, study, study, study, to make a long story short. Train your own eye, begin to learn the knowledge for yourself. It will be challenging every step of the way. The path becomes smoother and less intimidating with practice. Regards

Take this as a lesson of how much there is still ahead of you to learn. Try not to repeat the same lesson/s. If serious about collecting and study of nihonto join a study group, attend shows, build a library. Even the most experienced nihonto collectors will make mistakes. It's never easy. Regards "Don't mistake temptation for opportunity" "Desire is the cause of suffering"

After more than 30 years of collecting nihonto I find myself still wondering how to collect tsuba, too. A place to begin ... https://shibuiswords.com/ Regards

Please read the many posts about how to properly clean swords if you haven't already. You can find them using the search feature on this website. Regards

Flaws within the hamon should be considered there to stay. Regards

https://japaneseswor...ema-tanobe-sayagaki/