Scogg

Cosmoline or not, buying swords based solely on photos is always a risk, one that increases significantly when dealing with eBay sellers rather than reputable dealers. It’s also difficult to give meaningful pricing advice without knowing your specific goals. If you’re purchasing this piece for your own collection and enjoyment, that’s one thing. If you’re hoping to resell it for a profit, then only you can judge what margins make sense for your situation. Also, keep in mind, that many swords on eBay have already gone through the process of being bought and resold for more. Sincerely, -Sam

Koto bizen swords are known for their utsuri. Some of the most stunning utsuri I’ve seen has been on Aoe blades. I can’t quite see anything in your images unfortunately. Even in swords that are in good polish, utsuri takes a careful eye, and knowing what to look for to see. It’s even harder to capture in photos. Here's some really good articles about utsuri that might help: https://markussesko.com/2013/08/22/some-thoughts-on-utsuri/ https://markussesko.com/2015/05/14/kantei-2-jigane-jihada-3/

Obligatory disclaimer that I’m no expert. Can you get a photo of the whole blade without fittings or habaki? Preferably centered from above on a dark non reflective background? I’m surprised nobody has commented on this one yet. To me, just based on its shape, this looks like a potentially interesting sword, and with some unique and cool provenance. Are you, or the owner, able or willing to get it looked at by an expert or togishi? Might be interesting, -Sam

@vajo I recognize that as one of those notorious Iijima stamped fakes. I have very many listed just like it in the 30k and 50k range. They do look pretty good, but the bohi is often the big fake identifier for these. The stamps too, like you note. Do you recall if the samegawa dimpling was indented or raised? I have never handled one myself, so it's very interesting to hear your description, and good to know that they at least feel wrong. Sometimes I wonder if they are intentionally aged replica's. Something like, but not necessarily identical, to one of these: https://www.kultofathena.com/product/Japanese-nco-shin-gunto-sword/?attribute_pa_item-grade=standard-grade Thanks for the photos! I've got this one logged now -Sam

Yes, definitely. That said, if it’s an item you’re currently bidding on, posting the active auction could draw extra attention, and potentially more bidders, which might hurt your chances. That’s a risk you’ll need to weigh for yourself. I’d also suggest attaching a photo. That way, once the auction ends and the listing disappears, we’ll still have a visual reference here on the forum. (Looks like ya'll already covered that ). All the best, -Sam

I've recently been investigating these togi-mei. I am finding it difficult to track down any good info. I imagine these togi-mei are pretty rarely seen. I have only seen a handful myself. I recently discovered togi-mei on a katana that I own. It's not a wartime sword (o-suriage or suriage mumei, probably koto), but the polisher's mei has a date of Showa 31 (1956), so maybe this particular polisher was also working during the war? Just some speculation... -Sam One column: 君山研廣 = Kimiyama Kenhiro Two columns: 越後住 = Echigo ju = made in or resident of Echigo province 昭和三十一年 = Showa 31 = 1956 https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/54031-togi-mei-kanji-in-the-nagashi/#comment-566053

Those are great observations Chris, thank you. My focus has been cataloging the real ones, but I have also been putting together a "fake serial number list" with notes and features. Details like you describe are great things to include. All the best, -Sam

Does it not defeat the purpose of offsetting the chūso if the mekugi-ana ends up off-center directly beneath it? Really interesting! -Sam

I cannot help other than to eliminate a possibility. I once owned a showato signed by Osawa Kanehisa, and the mei appears very different to my eye. From Marcus Sesko's book, Japanese Swordsmiths: KANEHISA (兼久), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Kanehisa” (兼久), real name Ōsawa Kan´ichi (大沢勘一), born January 2nd 1915, student of Kojima Kanemichi (小島兼道), he worked as a guntō smith and died July 7th 1945, ryōkō no retsu. Best, -Sam

I believe their official site is under maintenance But Woody Hall is a well known US based polisher who's work is often recommended and highly regarded. I've seen some of his work and have been very impressed. As so few qualified polishers are available, his waiting list is long, and for good reason. All the best, -Sam

If all else fails, try Chris’s email. It’s listed in his signature under each of his comments. Best of luck. Chris is a good guy to deal with -Sam

Here is a tricky one spotted on Facebook. The serial number is the biggest tell, although other details are pretty well done. It’s trying to be a pattern1 copper handle, but it does not stand up to scrutiny. Mekugi is wrong for pattern1, but I didn’t highlight that because sometimes you see that on repaired swords. -Sam

The reliability of the old green papers has been discussed quite a bit here over the years. Might be worth searching the forum for old threads that discuss the topic. Lots of opinions and discussions. Here’s an older article by the late Darcy Brockbank that covers the topic in detail; you’ll need to scroll down a bit, but it’s well worth the read: https://web.archive.org/web/20210123052725/https://blog.yuhindo.com/green-papers-no-papers/ Sincerely, -Sam

Currently, I'm just making my "drafts" on google docs. Google docs allows me to access the work from anywhere, and save my draft as a variety of file types. The goal is, to complete my draft, and then use a program like you describe to "format" my work so it's neat and easy-to-consume. Currently, my big issue/annoyance is image placement. Thank you for the recommendation! I am going to make a note to look into Adobe in-design. -Sam

Thank you fellas! Seems like they had some casting-mould problems during this pattern transition Very interesting, and something that I will note going forward. I am attempting to make a PDF photo guide of the pattern types including transitional patterns and some of the more subtle features, so things like this are important to include. Still a work in progress. I'd love to consolidate much of the information about Type95s that's currently dispersed throughout many forums and sources. Thank you everyone, it is very much appreciated and helps my efforts greatly. -Sam

Interesting! I had not seen that one before but I now see it on Bruce’s example and on the one that I used as an example (shown below). Thank you! Another little detail that I will note

Hi John, On an old blade in shirasaya. Suriage and mumei

I was visiting with a friend and fellow collector this weekend, and while discussing one of my swords we discovered very subtle kanji amongst the nagashi. An exciting revelation! I then contacted @Ray Singer who helped me identify it as a togi-mei. He then helped me translate both sides. It was exceptionally hard to photograph, so kudos to Ray for not only his ability, but his patience with my many photo attempts. One column: 君山研廣 = Kimiyama Kenhiro Two columns: 越後住 = Echigo ju = made in Echigo province 昭和三十一年 = Showa 31 = 1956 Link with old similar discussion and with other examples: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/9744-polishers-marks/ I thought this was something worth sharing, and to me, is a really interesting window into this swords more recent past. Thanks for looking, -Sam

Precisely @Conway S! 200k range from the eBay link you provided: 130k range:

Very interesting. Just so I'm less cryptic here: I was checking to see if your pommel area shared the casting flaw on the cast samegawa shown in my comment below (see how the dimpling is splotchy/incomplete left of the sarute). I have observed this same casting flaw on two 130k side-latch swords now. It appears that your 202446 does not share this feature (but maybe it's on the other side?). Interesting. Thank you Bruce! -Sam

Looking for a specific photo request: Does anyone here own a Pattern 4 aluminum-handle side-latch with a serial number in the 200k–205k range? I’ve noticed a subtle feature in the 130k range, and I’d like to check if the same detail appears in the 200k range. If you have one of these 200k aluminum side-latch models, I’d really appreciate a close-up photo (both sides) of the cast samegawa area around the pommel/sarute. Thanks so much for your help! -Sam

Hi Cody, well done on the photos! Grey's advice is very good. Consider that the sword has existed for many generations before you, and it will continue to survive many generations into the future; so plenty of time to learn before any big decisions are made. (A professional traditional polish can be as much, or more than $150 an inch, (150 x 23 = ~ $3450). Your sword is already in decent condition, and is better looking than most "first swords" that we see. The two peice habaki is a nice bonus, and the fittings are charming enough.. When a mei is genuine, it's referred to as "zaimei", when it's a false signature it is called "gimei". I do not personally have the expertise to determine zaimei from gimei. You could try comparing your signature to known papered examples, but that's a little advanced (maybe someone here will offer input). Your sword is original length (ubu). Without a doubt it is a real and traditionally made Nihonto Wakizashi. Thank you for sharing, and welcome! All the best, -Sam

Might be worth reaching out to the New York Token Kai. I'm not familiar with their organization, but they are likely the closest available option for you to get a second opinion. Looks like they might be meeting in December https://www.ny-tokenkai.org/meetings In the meantime, do you happen to have measurements of the kasane, and also the motohaba and sakihaba? Best of luck, -Sam

I have also wondered this, and similar nakago have caused me to speculate some kind of artificial or accelerated aging. Judging on sugata, my guess would be Shinto period. Please take that guess with a big grain of salt because I’m just a collector and not an expert. Some measurements may help those who are more knowledgable on the age question. All the best, -Sam

I see the yasurime now. Where is my coffee Thanks for the input guys, -Sam