Mark

here is the front of the Antique Arms show flyer. They are promoting the Japanese Sword section and there are some great pictures from last year. They want to grow the Japanese section so 2024 should be great

520000 yen is about $3500 USD. That is a reasonable cost for polish and paper. Agts fee min $500, NBTHK paper (depending on lever) $500 or more, shirasaya $500 polish $2000 (not sure blade length) habaki (if needed is extra) equals $ 3500. It is expensive but not unrealistic. Sometimes if you feel strongly about a blade you need to step up and roll the dice. That is why you do research in advance so you can be satisfied with whatever way you go.

chips can affect value. cant say how much without inspecting the entire blade hard to know exact age, i am guessing it is not dated. probably circa 1500s

yes. real WWII army officers sword but the blade is older made by Sukesada from Bizen

looks like Seki Kanekiyo saku made by Kanekiyo from the town of Seki . not traditionally made

where in Michigan are you located? I live in Toledo but get up to Michigan at times. If we can help on line that is great, if you need someone to look at it in hand maybe we can get together. it is clearly nihinto, being unsigned it is hard to say exact age, etc mark

yes i see 5 kanji first 2 are Kii third is Kuni fourth Yasu last Tsuna

Kii Kuni Yasutsuna -----Shinto smith

I think Chris Bowen is a/the moderator. You should be able to reach him directly by messaging through Facebook or i am sure his email is available online. He organizes the NTHK-NPO shinsa in the U.S. so is not hard to reach

I know Bob. You mention a Mark, not sure if you mean me or someone else. Not sure, do i know you? anyway Bob has a general knowledge of Militaria but knows much more about German items than Japanese. He used to travel with a Japanese sword buyer and they would partner and the other guy got the Japanese stuff. As i said i have know Bob for 25 years, he can't read a mei and may have handled quite a few swords (that he usually sells on eBay) but i don't think he is a nihonto expert.....I never heard anything about this sword.

i put it on my list and bring one for you

I have these in my repair bin. I have to check with one person who I may owe one but you can email me if anything might help you nixe@bright.net mark

Earlier this year we had the first Las Vegas Sword show as part of the Las Vegas Antique Arms show https://www.antiquearmsshow.com/ The first show went well and was well received. https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/39743-las-vegas-Japanese-sword-show-jan-20-21-2023/ For 2024 the dates are Jan 26-27, 2024 for the public, set up wednesday night and thursday (Jan 24-25) https://www.vegasswordshow.com/ if you have questions or comments please let me know or post here thanks for the support mark jones

there is or was recently a club in the Seattle area. they had physical meetings etc. there are people associated here on NMB i think so maybe they can post

i have been happy with Josiah's work

i sent you a picture of what i have

i think they are a plus over Tokubetsu Kicho better respected

papers look like Koshu Tokubetsu Kicho papers to me http://www.nihontocraft.com/japanese_sword_papers.html#japanese_sword_3

looks like mumei ChoShu then description

you could attach a replacement ring to the ashi you have if you want to repair it. that would avoid saya damage from removing it

Costas who did you use as an agent? Could it be a communication breakdown?

since Matt mentioned me.............. here is a sword. $450 plus actual shipping and paypal fee... it is no treasure but i think i see some temper, it has a signed tsuba and decent fittings on the handle. a reasonable package

looks like it was made circa 1940, probably in Mino province and in the city of Seki. i would guess it is oil tempered

i will be there........... i will have a bunch of swords, some lower end for $3-500 and some nice items. I will have several dozen tsuba and fitting and will bring some misc items like sword knots from the Plimpton collection, tsuka, and odd bits and pieces. I am looking forward to seeing friends. Mark C has done a great job organizing the show and there will be people i only see when i am in FL so that will be nice. mark jones