Baba Yaga

On the list of the travesty of crime that's going on, I would say, anyone can do what they dam well please. Sorry about the sword, but no groceries on the shelf, energy and nuclear war is higher on my list. 2nd is not being able to defend against someone physically harming me, per new laws.

The restoration prices are the same as 30+ years ago and collectors require traditionally long termed trained polishers. People wonder why sword prices depreciate and the hobby is so obscure,

He apprenticed under traditionally trained, and I take his word on that.

This brings me to a debate I had with several advanced collectors a few decades ago. How well was the vision of smiths 500-900 years ago? IMO opinion was not well, because of the obvious reasons.

Where are the "Smiths" actual notes? Not hearsay rewritten, but actual notes. I understand paper doesn't last an a question of illiteracy but?

If you keep it up Jesus Christ himself will post the real answers. This was something I actually found interesting until it went sideways.

The Japanese have more than the ability to do none destructive metal analyses on all high end blades, but what then? Would they submit the findings and acknowledge there "best guesses" have been wrong? Hell no is the answer.

It's easier to believe (opinion) then believe 20th century science. It fits a romantic narrative people want to believe. You can't argue opinion

I'm well past this, but will impart some knowledge for the meek. Stay away from the UFO blade, authentic Nihonto, or not. It comes with fuzzy photos and a bloviated description. Don't even get me started on dealer speak.....Consignment.

Missing fittings use to be a red flag. It meant the blade has been around the block a few times. Wasn't worthy and fittings sold off to pay for the mistake of purchase. There many exceptions to this rule like everything else Nihonto.

It depends your opinion of an Art Piece. IMO, a sword / fire arm needs to be functional, others are ok with a toothpick with a Mei. It's all subjective and can't be debated.

You have to be extremely careful with Sukehiro and the "generation of Sukehiro"

Someone, it not a few put a lot of money into a blade and without polishing that looks very suspicious. The Kozuka is missing, which may have been quality and may have been sold off. IMO when I see a blade like this and I've seen many, it tells a story that's it's been in a a lot of different hands, Those fitting also look newer and the wrapping odd, Just mu opinion.

That's a very interesting date after WW1 ended. I'm not into war time, but that caught my eye. That's a keeper.

I don't believe any experienced collector will buy that Frankenstein, but you never know LOL.

The CD with the registration is a good touch for establishing valid price and authenticity that not there.

During military war time many resources were scarce, so certain color paint could be what they used. Maybe as simples as that.

May be the photos, but Nakago and Mei don't look right at all. Mei looks way to deep and clean. Could be the light and angle.

Never underestimate the skill, or resourcefulness of the Bubba and the Babba Yaga LOL. Gimei goes back 100's of years and all over the land too.

Agree with everything you said with the exception of "study it". If a person wants to "study" everything that's wrong then this is a good example. Studying good examples in hand with a proper mentor is really the only way to learn. If a person doesn't have that opportunity then collecting Nihonto may not be a wise move. This is what makes this hobby obscure and the amount of collectors so small. This shouldn't be a deterrent, but a moment for collecting clarity .

#1 is about 80% of the Issue. The other side of the coin is learning. The general agreement out of Japan, 2 decades of learning and you're not considered a expert. The last if not worst for a younger generation is depreciation. The swords are often worth a lot less than paid for. Restoration price for a sword is the same as it was 30 years ago. The younger generation under generation under 35 are the worst hit with todays economic issues. Another reason was gaining superior knowledge and finding swords cheap and selling - trading up. That's what many of us old timers did and all but gone.

Ambiguous leads to profit! That's the other rule,

They were more than generous with the attribution. Years back, if one presented a Gimei blade for Shinsa, all you'd get is the blade is Gimei. A good agent would have givin advise not to waste your time. Who was your agent? Remove mei the professional way, polish and reapply.

It's about the size of your wallet and what other people tell you to collect. That's why collectable objects are graded and assigned monetary value.

The Nakago looks Ubu to me with 1 mekugi-ana, but would have to see it in hand. Can't judge the mei without in hand! Sword looks way to shiny, that may do to the photos.