Oleg S

Thank you for this information, Steve! Maybe I am going off on a tangent, but if Mukansa blades can be papered, would you recommend it? Does it add value, or is the quality and authenticity already assumed due to the maker's reputation? Thanks again, Oleg

Dear Gents, I followed the discussion as a learning opportunity. I wonder how a Mukansa rank is related to an NBTHK Hozon. My understanding is that the NBTHK does not judge Mukansa smiths. Are then all Mukansa forged blades worthy of preservation, equivalent to a Hozon? Could a Mukansa sword still obtain a Tokubetsue Hozon or higher if it is not evaluated? This particular sword was made in 1977, a few years before Minamoto Moriyoshi achieved the Mukansa rank in 1985. If the blade predates the Mukansa rank, can it still be judged by NBTHK? Thank you, Oleg