Tohagi

2nd

Probably a reflexion from the camera...

Hello, To try an answer to your initial question, the kunihira kawashi seems a fair choice. It'll take value over the time and you will have a strong perfect sword unique and appealing to you. To have a Juyo is a great responsability toward next generations. I personnaly avoid such a weight on my shoulders and I pretend to be a collector. If you are sure to make the path, Mike Yamasaki,(or Lonely planet proposition) is your Best choice. Hope that's helps, Best regards, Éric VD Ps: sorry I didn't saw you'd already buyed the sword. By the way, is the hamon runing out from the ha at the kissaki?

Still for the price, a nice sword in good polish. Best, Éric

In the last picture you posted, it could be an arrow, you have two parts of the same "trajectory". In that case, why not? Best regards, Éric VD

Fantastic impression of power ! very,very nice one. How old? Best regards, Éric VD

A very close shape, color and texture. 7,5 at the mimi is a lot considering this is a little smaller. Thank you for searching ! Best regards, Éric VD

Just beautifull ! Best regards, Éric VD,

Maybe a training incident during Batodo or Iaï, it happens... looks a blade cut to me. Best regards, Éric

...in the second picture, in the habaki side, it seems shallows white utsuri (before the hitatsura coming from the mune). I don't think it is hadori made, but I still a beginer. The sword have been given as Sue Koto.? I could search in books... Best regards Éric VD

Just 50, I had my first nihonto at 27 ... Best, Éric VD

I'll surely do, thank you. Best regards, Éric VD

Yes, it's possible. The difficult point is to find an old enough piece of "same" with the same shade of cream white and the same size of nodes. The repair have to be very carefull to be invisible. To find the right"same " you probably have to ask to a sayashi or a tsukashi... In that case, you'll probably give him the job to do. Best regards, Éric VD

I like the color and general atmosphere (wabi sabi) of this tsuba. I would be personaly happy to have it in my collection even if it's not a masterpiece. You have good taste IMO. Best regards, Éric VD

Very interesting composition, maybe 3 foxes playing? It reminds me western "Nanban" style hunting compositions... First time I see something like that on a Japanese tsuba. Hope to learn more. Best regards, Éric VD

You can use it as an umbrela... OK, I go best Éric

...could have been an old horimono wear off by over polishing but the nakago does not look suriage... The blade is very very tired... Best Éric

Very, very intersting and nicely done Tsuba ! Do you know what school is it ? Best, Éric

Dear David, Thank you so much, this is helping a lot . It seems that Myochin could be a solid clue, it was Kissakai first impression too. The nunome zogan work could be a later work, even if the Tachibana Kamon should have been plated from the begining IMO.... The overall size is 7,8 /7,9 cm it's still à big tsuba, I confirm no tekkotsu like the one you can see in Akasaka's, just the iron normal deformation in curving the ring (upper inside). Wish you the best, Éric VD

Hello, Very sharp Topic! In my very poor opinion, a bohi added later change the structure of the sword, the jigane is usualy different from the core soft steel. It could be made to take out a flaw like a fukure... sometimes horimono are used in that way. Good maru bohi are difficult to carve, generaly you can spot from the general position and shape if it's a later work... For me it is not suitable unless it is a very fine work... Best regards, Éric VD

Dear Geraint, Thank you, it's a relieve ! I was quite desapointed, I realy like this strange tsuba. Best, Éric VD

Strange... I didn't knew that it was possible to cast (magnetic) iron tsuba. In this one there is no cast mark, flaw or inclusion... Instead, there is regular file marks inside the ring... Well, you certainly know better,that sounds a bad news. Late 1800 cast iron tsuba so... Best regards, Éric VD

Thank you for your very instructive answer, do you have a guess on this unusual work? I realy don't have a clue... Best regards, Éric VEGAS DANGLA

... it looks a little "Too much" to me. Usualy a professionnal Togishi will choose an elegant contrast between hamon and Ji gane: first time I see such a flashy pop up hada... Is that an effect of the picture or the blade looks the same in hand?

Here is my little contribution : Unknown carver on a mumei shinshinto blade that looks Bizen or Soden-Bizen utsushi...