Mosin25

Thank you! The reason for possibly wanting to pick it up is that I've always wanted a signed Japanese blade and everyone I've talked to about this example feel really good about the authenticity of the mei, and that it's a worthy candidate to send to Shinsa. The solid silver habaki is always a nice touch!

I am looking at possibly purchasing this nice looking tanto that is signed Fujiwara Nobutaka and in shirasaya from a seller that is somewhat local to me, and the estimate is that it's a later generation of this smith, and likely 2-300 years of age (A friend that collects and knows this smith thinks that it's 7th gen). The blade length is approximately 11" which I know is on the longer side for these tanto blades. I was hoping to get a few opinions on the mei, which so far I am told looks to be legitimate, but likely a more recent, possibly lesser known generation of this smith. What do you guys think of the mei, and if I should pick it up, would it be worth a shinsa? The pictures are from the seller, not mine.

I took the sword apart yesterday and took some better pictures of the mei and the nakago. I'm told the Yasuri-me is in the style of Mino school, but that the hamon/choji are not necessarily in the style of known Kanemoto.

@Shugyosha, I took a good hard look at the kissaki area today on the Wakizashi and I can indeed confirm that the hamon/Choji does NOT fall off the edge at any point on this blade.

Thank you! I don't remember the hamon falling off the edge, so it should be fine. Are the age estimates with NTHK usually pretty accurate? This is my first Nihonto with paperwork, so just curious is all.

I picked up a new addition today. Mumei Echizen Seki Group NTHK papered Wakizashi. The paperwork is from September 2006, and says the sword is estimated to be from 1704 to 1711 in the Shinto era, but a friend of mine seems to think it might be a bit older and possibly from the 1600s. The blade itself seems to be in old sasikomi polish and looks fantastic. It is missing the kojiri, but I will have a replacement made and fitted at a later time by a sayashi that was recommended to me. The kashira has a samurai on it, the menuki is a Koi fish on both sides, the fuchi has a depiction of a horse, the tsuba is an iron one which appears to be zogan tsuba. The saya, I'm not sure if Edo period or older, but appears to be nicely wrapped. I only see one small flaw on the blade, but it doesn't bother me much at all. The hamon and choji looks fantastic, but a bit hard to photograph, though, I tried my best in outside lighting. I think For the price paid, I think it's a very nice Wakizashi and I'm happy to have it in the collection. Once the sayashi added the kojiri, I will have him address the seppa on the tsuba to see if a tighter fit is possible. What do you guys think? Flickr album for the rest of the pictures: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzVffJ

From a few people I asked, they thought likely Muromachi, based on the hamon/choji style, but I could be wrong since I'm still very new to this.

Yeah, that's what I'm not sure of. The mei (for most people I asked looked more or less good, especially with the file marks in Mino school style), but... The hamon/choji is different than known Kanemoto styles. Not sure on this one.

I received my first Nihonto today. It may or may not be a legitimately signed Kanemoto Wakizashi, but the mei might either be a lesser known Kanemoto signature, or simply Gimei. If it is Gimei, an expert in the field seems to think the blade might be a Sue Bizen blade, potentially, judging by what appears to be a crab claw choji on the hamon, and the overall style of the hamon, but the yasurimei is in the Mino style. If that is the case, that should mean it's from the Muromachi era/period. The fittings are later, Edo from the Shoami school. It appears to have a few small forging flaws, but nothing of any concern since it's going to hang on my wall for my enjoyment. I love the single/dual bohi on the blade, and I think it gives a very unique look! Any input on what this sword may be, if it isn't a legitimate Kanemoto Wakizashi? Another friend suggested, possibly Shiga Seki, but it seems like the hamon might be closest to that, or Sue Bizen. The Hamon is really nice looking in person, but a bit difficult to photograph in its current condition. I don't think this particular one is worth sending to Shinsa, especially if Gimei, and since it was on the cheap side, I don't think it's worth sending for polish either, so it will be a nice entry-level Wakizashi to hang on my wall, I'll appreciate it, and keep it oiled with choji oil. It sure looks great on the wall with my pre-WWII Type 95! I would love some more insight, on what you guys think this blade might be since there seems to be a handful of differing opinions - whether Gimei/maker of the blade, age, etc. Flickr album link, since there's a ton of pictures: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzUjyR