Franco

Not really. While not absolutely full proof, the securest way to ship a sword in the U.S. has always been via USPS registered mail. Why? It's because the package first of all must be wrapped according to standard, so that all seams can be stamped with a seal to deter tampering. Next, the package then travels under lock and key the entire way and must be signed for by everyone that handles that package in addition to being tracked the entire trip. The package must be signed for at the time of delivery. Travel time is considerably longer (and it costs much more) than it used to be now that Trump appointed and Biden kept De Joy who is running things. None the less, it is, or at least was, the safest/secure way to ship. The second safest way to ship a sword is/was via overnight USPS Express mail when it is guaranteed to arrive the next day by a given time. Why? The package is tracked and must be signed for, and it doesn't sit around waiting for prying eyes. Each post office has a cutoff time for express mail. If one arrives ready to go just before that cutoff time that also ensures the package isn't sitting around for long. Do not ship the package if next day isn't guaranteed. Again, nothing is full proof. Regards

https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/8456-katana-with-bo-hi/ Here we go again. Please explain to me how the function of an I-beam applies/transfers to the function of nihonto and a cutting activity. Is the sword carrying a load? Regards

Are you applying this comment to all Japanese swords or just limiting it to swords with core steel construction? Regards

Could you please tell us which USPS service was used? Registered mail? Express? Other? Thank you. Regards

I would seek the advice of a polisher and perhaps even their services in this matter and consider it a lesson learned. Nihonto should be carefully examined and wiped clean every time they are out before being put away house guests or not. Uchiko used improperly will scratch. A quartz halogen light will show the scratches. Regards

Colin, I am aware. When flaws become worse with each passing view ..... Koto? Shinto? Shinshinto? , exactly! Somebody has been playing games with this sword. Regards

Colin, After having gone back over all the images again, there isn't a single image that doesn't show problems/flaws. Fatal flaws? No. But certainly not acceptable for this sword. Even the surface of the sword is showing signs of being over polished. That, and for me this alternate shaped kissaki should be considered a flaw. Plus, the bo-hi - mei , looks to me like somebody has definitely been monkeying around there. Either the mei was added or the bo-hi. One would have to look carefully to see how the edge of where the mei and bo-hi come together look. Which came first? It's not even clear to me that this entire sword wasn't made with the intention of fooling. But, I could be completely wrong. Regards Don't be a pink paper Japanese sword collector!

The nakago looks fine as is. Having said that, if there are concerns about elevated humidity levels a very light touch of sword oil on the nakago is fine. Apply with fingers and "dab" it dry (do not rub!), so that there is barely a light film of oil, nothing more. Regards

It is difficult to imagine that any sword smith would sign a sword with so many problems as this sword has. Give that some careful thought. Regardless of which came first the chicken or the cracked eggs, this sword has been monkeyed with and not for the better. Regards

Possibly. Is this bohi ato bori? How much has this sword been polished down? The answers will/may shed light on the history of this sword. Regards p.s. prego, niente

The boshi looks to be sliver thin and the shape of the kissaki reworked which points to having previously been damaged. That in addition to the other flaws already being discussed. Shinto swords should be signed, ubu, with no flaws from a collectible perspective. Regards

Looks to be Edo period based on shape. Can't tell much else through the steel wool polish. Don't mess with the patina on the nakago. You can research the shape of nakago-jiri to narrow down tradition/school possibilities. That ware at the edge of the hamon could be the reason this sword is not signed. Regards

Based on the verbal description posted in the above comment what is being described is an early Muromachi Bingo Mihara sword. Which can be a very nice sword with much to appreciate. However, written above we have "A Mid Muromachi Period" vs an "Early Muromachi Period Bingo Mihara School." Which are not the same. Which is it? Plus, no description of boshi and turnback? Shape wise to my eye this is not early. Buy what you like, but know what you're buying. Return policy? Regards

Greatly appreciated! Thank you. Regards

Jacques, 1. I would love to cite the source placing the use of "core steel" in the late Heian period. However; A. the computer with that information is now gone, and, B. that, along with almost half of my nihonto library including the copy of the magazine article about the use of core steel in the Heian period is now gone as well after having retired from collecting and downsized. 3. I can't recall the name of the sword forum where the conversation took place about when the use of core steel began other than remembering it had an affiliation with Guido Schiller, and the conversation was with someone from Italy, perhaps with a Carlo T., if memory serves. If the website still exists perhaps the conversation could be tracked down. I can't even remember my sign in name any longer. 4. Regardless, we're not going to get a more reliable source than the Japanese polisher who told me he polished a sword from the 1100's that had what he termed as a ladder type construction showing when asked what the earliest sword was he had seen with core steel showing. None the less, I will continue searching for answers. https://markussesko....i-2-jigane-jihada-1/ Regards

Careful about making blanket statements, "only", Jacques, especially when it comes to nihonto. Something I try to remind myself of all of the time. While I'm working from memory here, I've had this conversation before on another forum. Guido Schiller's??? It appears that shintetsu was first used at least as early as the late Heian period. In fact, one polisher I spoke with told me there was core steel showing on a sword he polished from the 1100's. Fyi, another post that may be of interest here ... Keith Larman https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/1695-how-many-polishes/#comment-13014 Regards

Excellent wakizashi with a beautifully cut mei! Link works fine. Regards

New shirasaya to protect this new polish? New habaki? Careful, while newly polished blades need to be kept oiled, excess oil might soak into the saya. Are you following care instructions from the polisher? Interesting hamon. Regards

Welcome. Would love to see additional images of the entire blade if possible? Thank you. Regards

Based on these images I'm not seeing 3rd generation Kanemoto, more likely 4th. Perhaps the NTHK will be more generous. Thanks for sharing! Regards

A complete translation here might reveal otherwise. However, Mr. Tanobe's sayagaki does not always mention utsuri even when it is present. Regards

(Fujiwara Nobuyoshi) Shinto period yakidashi . More of a Koto period yakidashi . Same sword smith? Long life span? Two different smiths? True. Regards

You are entitled to believe what you wish. When the NBTHK papers a mumei sword to let's say a Bungo Fujiwara Takada they are saying that it is a Shinto sword. In the case of a mumei Bungo sword from the Koto period the NBTHK would say Taira Takada. Show me otherwise and I'll reconsider. Regards

Lots to research https://search.yahoo...kuni+junin+Hiromitsu Regards

Just to be clear what brought the subject of tsukare utsuri to mind was the image Bjorn Lundin posted. Nothing to do with your sword. Regards