AlphaRaider

Thanks everyone for the thoughts and opinions. I did a bit of research into this Showa22 fellow and it was fairly 50/50 so I honestly don't feel worried. Once I receive the sword I will get detailed pictures of the blade and its components under a macro lens. hopefully I can get some ideas from everyone if I should pressure a new paper or just keep it as is. Thanks everyone and anyone new to this post is welcome to chime in with thoughts as well. - J. Hoff

Hello Everyone, My name is Jonathan, Im a prior service Marine Corps Veteran. I served between 2007 & 2014. I served during OIF & OEF and deployed to the 5th fleet AO and to 3rd fleet AO. During my time in the fleet I deployed to 14 countries. I served with 1st Battalion 4Th Marines as an 0311 Infantry Rifleman and was a Team Leader with 1st platoon "Alpha Raider's". I also served with Marine Barracks 8th & I with a Presidential Security Forces contract and served with 3rd Platoon Bravo Company as a Fire Team Leader. I was apart of the fly away team, preformed ceremonial marching duties for over 360 full honor funerals, Ted Kennedys Response, Honor Guard duties at the White House, Arlington National Cemetery, The Pentagon. I also preformed on multiple parades, inaugurations, arrivals and special charity events during that time. After I left the military I began a carrier doing private contracting with a protection group who worked in conjunction with the Marijuana Enforcement Division and got to guard and protect one 26 different dispensaries, grow houses and MIPS facilities. I also worked with a company specializing in high threat security for foreign parties and music events. In todays current world I manage a tactical store and do social media for the company my best friend owns. I get to travel to a lot of trade shows and gun shows across the nation. I teach medical training and instruct in firearms training classes as well. For now life is good. My outside of work passion is photography and video, I used to collect high end Microtech automatic knifes but I have since moved them to start my sword journey. I have been collecting now for about 5 months and I currently have 6 live blade sword, 2 are Nihonto and 2 are handmade bokken. If you have a question or if you have advice for a new guy send me a msg. Thanks, J. Hoff

I found this Wakizashi on eBay and thought the price was fair, it was papered and appears to be in good overall condition. Do you think I did well? I'm quite excited to see it and own a sword in good condition like it is. I think a lot of people will like this when its displayed. Is there a recommended way to store or present the paperwork? Would there be anything that anyone would recommend in general. I already had a custom sized zip up soft case from American Mountain Supply made for me, since they are down the street from us. I also picked up a pelican case that will hold it and the padded case. I have the sword cleaning kits, transport bags etc. World there be other things anyone would recommend to keep it nice yet allow me to travel with it. "This is a Japanese sword wakizashi in mountings. The blade is signed "Kunisada", shinogi zukuri shape, Edo period ca. 1660 era made blade. The blade is in old full polish, no rust, no stain and in mint condition. The temper line is attractive gunome-midare temper pattern and has deep temper at the point. The forging grain is tight itame-hada, no opening, no blister and no forging flaws. There is no bend, no nick, no crack and cutting edge is sharp. The scabbard is lacquered wood scabbard, no crack, no dent, no lacquer loss and in good condition. Handle is tight fit with bird with bamboo motif gold overlay shakudo fuchi / kashira, tsuka-ito wrapping is no cut, no loose also in good condition. Tsuba is marugara shape iron sukashi tsuba with nice patina. It came with NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho paper submitted on 7th, July, 1968. It measures 20+11/16" cutting edge, 1+1/4" width, 6 mm thickness at the notch and 30" in mountings." Here is the link the the sale: https://www.ebay.com/itm/165742784535

Thank you all for your comments and thoughts. Thanks again for the advice received. For now I'll keep the blade and put it in current fittings and Saya and leave the blade as is. I'll start looking into the process and cost for polishing in Japan + getting it papered.

Thanks for the blazing fast response Barry. That's reassuring, is that something that could be done in the next few months or is there a waiting list or demand for a certain polisher vs another? Is there a general price for the whole process or a place you recommend to find out about the process and the cost. Ive found a few people in the states, most had waiting list, some had pricing but it was based on an inspection of the blade to determine final price.

That's pretty incredible actually, I wasn't aware people take it to those degrees. That does make me happy to know people are out there and actually preserving them. I guess I was thinking everyday storage as in wrapped in cloth and in a protective pelican case, or padded soft case, or the plexiglass display cases as I would like them displayed possibly. I travel a bit with the swords I've acquired most are taken to our gun shop daily that I manage. I've taken them to multiple instate and out of state gun shows and just displayed them for people to view. People seemed to enjoy that quite a bit. So if it will be "stored" that makes sense but I guess that's not exactly what I would be after currently at least. I wasn't using the correct terminology or explaining my self correctly it seems. So do most people get their sword polished only for selling or preserving? I understand there are different levels of polish but would some of the other options work or would one frankly just have to get a full polish? ( due to the condition of the blade ) People seem to have enjoyed this sword as it is but I bet they would be even more excited if it was polished and looked pretty. Like I said I'm not really interested in selling it, I would however like to get it in a proper condition if possible and display it for people. I do have a question if most polishers are in Japan, wouldn't my sword be in a sense confiscated from me because its over 100 yrs old ( presuming its 100% real) so if I sent it over seas it would not be able to be returned to me to my understanding. If that is the case do I search for a Japanese sword polisher in the states that was from Japan vs. American or does that even matter as long as they have studied or have proper work?

I paid $500 for this sword in its current condation with Saya and handle. No other items were included. For that price I'm quite happy with it, I've bought all the extra fittings and should have everything by Thursday. That way it can at least be stored correctly and have all the temp parts till it gets redone should that be the route I go. Thanks for the suggestions.

Thanks for your response. you do have some good points. I've still extremely new to the scene, during the past 4 months I've bought 5 swords. fake ones, real ones, ww2 ones, so far its been a good learning experience in all honesty. I now own a few books as well. I do really like the sword, I'm not really looking to make it nice to sell just for personal collecting. I've seen some of them demand fair value in the market so spending a few thousand to polish isn't too terrible at the end of the day if I was lucky enough to have a 100% authentic sword. I don't have any polishers In my area that I'm aware of, but I've been checking out people online. guess that's the major factor to decide is to polish or not.

I picked up a caliper and a measuring stick hopefully this helps a bit more in determining things. The Sori is 16.25mm The Motohaba is 30.40mm The Sakihaba is 21.55mm The Motokasane is 7.21mm The Sakikasane is 4.87mm The Nakego length is 122.95mm ( 4.84 inches ) The nagasa is 20.62 inches Anything else please let me know.

ohh man, well now you've seen one... anyways you are probably correct, looking at the tape measure I used it was not the correct measurement. Sadly nothing around me to measure it correctly. I'll go to the store after I finish up the gun show tomorrow and get a correct measurement. thanks for the catch

It took a bit longer then I expected to get back to you with the measurements. Hopefully I measured everything correctly. If there are other measurements needed let me know. The nagasa is 20 & 5/8 inches ( 20.625in ) ( 52.3 centimeters ) The Nakego length is 5 & 1/16 inches in length. ( 12.8 centimeters ) The Sori is approximately 18 centimeters. I included some pictures I took this evening.

I'll get a measurement this evening for you when I get some pictures done.

That makes sense, Im not sure what the fair market value for this type of sword in this condition is. I paid the vender what another member believed was a fair price for the sword after discussing it with him over the phone. The vendor originally wanted $1,000 but I was able to get it much cheaper. I have how ever seen multiple listings In the past few days that contain this mei style and a few similar ones that have listed from $1,300-$16,000. In its current state it would need all new or age correct fittings as well. I think it would be rather neat all completed.

Would this blade be worth a polishing to find out more and restore or just kept as is?

I'm currently attending a show and can take better pictures when I'm at home Monday. Here are a couple of the full sword from my cell phone. - Jonathan Hoff

Just picked this sword up today at a local show in Colorado. This will not be sold and is now apart of my personal collection. Would anyone here be able to help with translation. I tried Google translate with no help. I'm currently at a show but can post additional pictures if needed. It's only signed on one side. Thanks for your help. - Jonathan Hoff

Few images of the blade.

Here are the handle and fittings with a macro lens.

Hey Everyone, Pictures a of a possible late WW2 "Island Sword" If any one has ideas on the tang stamp please fell free to share them. I know a few links have ben shared on a different post. ( I didn't want to over take it with my questions and pictures) These were the best images I could get with my camera. It seems that roughly 4 swords have been spotted with this mark since 2015 Some have been signed some were not. So far no one is sure where the mark is from geographically or the smith / shop. "Made in Japanese occupied islands to replace lost of damaged swords using in field forges with some original parts. Few ever survived." - Suguha Hamon on the blade. - Leather Saya combat wrap - White Rayskin - Brass or Copper cherry blossom menuki. - Correct wrapping style.

We have a similar tsuba, pretty neat. I believe I found where it was signed on the other side but it will be hard to probably get it 100% I'll post then when I get home. And see what everyone thinks

Both sides of mine in better detail.

That handle wrap color is cool. I took some pictures with my Nikon Z7 and a Sigma Art 24-105 F4. Should have some decent ones to post. Good image of the tang stamp.

It could be, it's difficult to see that part. Everything else is for sure the same sword.

The lady I spoke with believe it's neither a budist or Korean txt. She believes it is Japanese but was unsure of where it was from.