"The only thing I could not relate to in Baba Yaga’s comment was to make something with a certain inscription illegal. Illegal for sale where? In the US? Not at all sure how that would work."
Look, that remark was tongue and cheek , Google it. The USA has made many objects from Asia illegal, starting with (mammals). If our woke culture knew about these cuttings test swords, they would be illegal in a hot seconded. Have you seen the power of our woke culture???
Well for many-many reasons. We study smiths (20,000) and judge each sword accordingly. We grade such smiths for the quality and give points for such work. The Japanese government and other countries have very stringent laws concerning swords. A question to my fellow Americans, would you want to own a gun that "murdered" people?
"The Japanese were holding head chopping contests with living victims well into the Second World War."
I'm not judging, but if that's ok with you, who am I too change your mind. I'm only expressing my own feelings,
Kind of sounds a lot like Putin ways who everyone's been talking about.
Something that shows how many bodies a sword can cut doesn't appeal to me,
It even appeals less on WW2 swords. I'm not sure why said swords are legal to sell.
"The paper matches the sword shown in the first pictures, the nakago photo is the incorrect one."
You're correct, now tell me what's been missed on the sword?
It has a real nice look - shape to it. I learned not to guess no matter how good the photos.
Nothing better than rotating in the direct sun light. Big guess Koto?
Oh, I got ya and agree safe is smart. It's a buyers market for swords right now and I don't think you will lose money, or that much I've lost, I've made, I've lost, I've made. It's how the hobby turns and this one is pricey.
Good Luck
Many moons ago some kid in San Francisco shot a gun off in the garage. The bullet hit the saya in the exact middle. Can't remember the name on the blade, but every dealer back then was approached by said owner. In the entire garage filled with "stuff" and that one bullet chose the blade. That's some king of Karma.