Bart

We are moving completely out of topic here but I will clarify few things. I have absolutely no doubt this sword would pass shinsa and if I ever decide to sell it it will come with this guarantee. Someone has done some basic research on previous sales, but my one goes further than that. The certificate was lost on US show alongside other certificates many years ago. I have spoken with several people, including the owner to satisfy myself this is what has happened. The owner at the time (and again I won't be dropping names) was well known and established US collector of over 100 Owari pieces, he is also a member here. I think I have given enough time for anyone who read this thread and wanted to check thier certificates. I think we can safely say this one is truly gone. Thanks everyone for thier comments but I think this thread could now be closed. If anyone at later stage has any information that might be useful to me please drop me a PM.

Cautious in what way? Don't quite get what you are trying to say here.

I am definitely not an expert in the field, however without dropping names the owner of this wakizashi was, so don't have a reason not to believe what he said. I don't think there is every single smiths and every single signature ever listed documented. I don't think that's possible, in each case they would have to start somewhere. Correct me if I am wrong but the a NBTHK certificate would only state that sword is genuine based on the craftsmanship and if there was no other signature to compare to they wouldn't refuse it because of it. And as Lexvdjagt just mentioned he had similar example.

It's not a common known smith, according to my research it's either unlisted smith or signature. Below is the picture of the tang.

Bit of back story. Several years ago I bough a wakizashi without papers, but was told it was awarded TH Certificate in the past. Having spoken with the original owner, he confirmed that the blade had TH Certificate, but sadly it was lost/misplaced several years ago on one of the shows in the US. I research the subject on lost certificates and even got in touch with my local NBTHK branch, so I know its impossible to get a duplicate without resubmitting the blade to shinsa again. In the past I found that several collectors, for one reason or the other, have NBTHK or similar certificates without the blades. In my last effort to try to locate the missing certificate I would like to kindly ask any members (particularly in the US) who have collection of NBTHK Certificates to check if they might have my missing one. I know it's a long shot but it's worth a try. Mei is: 長門守藤原氏重 - Nagato no Kami Fujiwara Ujishige 尾州名護屋住 - Bishu Nagoya Ju Thank you for all those that will have a look, I appreciate it.

Similar as if you were importing directly from Japan. But with the author budget I thing this will be the least of his worries. And by the looks of things soon you won't be able to import any decent antiques in to EU without massive hoops to go through with what they have planned for next year 🙄 https://theada.co.uk...SB3AQ05yvN3TbP9jfEnw

Pablo Kuntz from Unique Japan usually has nice high end blades on offer for sale and he is also based in UK. I am sure he would find you something that you like.

These are the lights I used, of Ali.

This is my custom made cabinet. I have been displaying my sword like that for over a year and there is absolutely no signs of any rust. I oil it once a month and clean with isopropyl alcohol and oil once every 3 months.

Are these stands for sale anywhere?

Hello, did you or your friend found out more details about this mei? I am comparing it to this one and can see some similarities.