Gus H

Thank you Bruce. Very helpful. I have printed this information and will be ordering what I need for the best care of this sword. /Gus

Hi Tom, Sorry about all the confusion on my side and thank you for the additional clarification. I do feel a great respect for this sword and very exited about what I am learning about it and Japanese swords in general so far. You have all been very helpful and i appreciate it very much. Realising the quality and of this blade and the outstanding craftsmanship that has gone in to making it all those years ago commands a certain respect. I can assure you that if this sword one day leaves my hands it will do so in the same or, if possible, better shape than I received it. The preservation of the blade tells of previous custodians great care and I shall care for it with the same respect and honor. The monetary value seems meaningless in a sense and says little about its actual value. I care little at this point about the number of crowns I spent on it. With that said I still have to try and find some kind of estimate both for insurance purposes and to know if I have to lock it up every time I leave my house. I feel reluctant to do so but for practical resons I still need to know if its closer to say 1000€ or to 5000€. Seeing the wide range of prices on swords that seem similar is still a bit confusing but I would guess prices in Sweden to be similar to price else where. I will be ordering a cleaning kit and the proper oil for the blade. Also I would like to find a suitable sageo and possibly a kosuka if one that fits can be found. The lacquer on the saya has chipped and cracked in places and I will look into if that can be fixed. Gus

Great information, thank you very much for your help and your time. That link had exactly the type of summary information I was looking for. Still a bit confused by the lingo but I’m picking it up as I go. For a moment I pondered what you meant when you wrote ” I’m teema of Koto” above?. Thinking ”just a while ago you called yourself Ray?” And ”Should I play along and just ignore this guys sudden claim to be the ”Teema” of Koto, whatever that is? ” I actually googled it (and of course found nothing) before I realised you must have intended to write ”I meant of Koto”. Actually laughed out loud when I realised it. ( BTW: English is not my first language and it’s 4 am where Im at and waaay past my bedtime) Thanks again and keep up the good work!

Thanks again Tom! This is getting more intriguing the more I learn about it. I did post a picture of the appraisal in the ”translation” section where I was told that the appraisal attribute to a ”koto Sukesada working in the late Muromachi period, circa Tensho era. Bizen Osafune school”. I have learn a lot more about this, didn’t know a single word in Japanese when I woke up this morning but I’ll catch up. I have a lot experience with antiques and ancient artefacts but my instincts were way of on this one. Would not have guessed it could be that old considering the condition it’s in, still find it hard to believe the other parts aside from the blade could be as old but I intend to find out all I can. Much less interested in the price at this point, I’ll probably never sell this sword… Been trying to find the explanation for the asymmetrical pattern on the tsugu the last hour.. great stuff! Here is the appraisal, does it seem complete to you or should there be additional documents? All info is greatly appreciated, ’Thanks again.

Thanks Ray, good to know. Just joined the forum and got a recommendation to post here as well but what you say makes sense. Will keep it one sword one post from now on. Thank you also for the information, this sword came to me recently and I’m getting increasingly fascinated by all the knowledge and history surrounding Japanese swords. At first the information I found seemed conflicting and obviously have yet a lot to discover. If the blade truly is that old the preservation of the steel astounds me and I still find it difficult to believe that the surrounding parts made from wood and sharkskin are as old as that, but what do I know. I have a descent amount of knowledge and experience with ancient artefacts and antiques but my instincts seem a bit off in this field. One last question if I may, (and please forgive my ignorance if it’s a dumb one): Did you mean to spell koto with a capital K or is it a title? Or should I understand it as the name of the maker was a man named Koto Sukesada? Wish I could link the other post I made in ”identification” for you to see. Someone there seemed to have a different idea about who signature on the blade belonged to. Counting the name suggested by chatGPT translating the signature this is the third suggestion but you seem to know a lot judging by the links in your profile. Thanks again, Gus

In another post asking for help with identification I was recommended to post documentation here in hope someone could enlighten me about the sword it belongs to. Thankful for all the help I can get! /Gus

Thanks alot Tom! That puts me at ease, Seemingly real is good news! I will post it there and hope for more info from the translation. Amazed to learn that there is 150 smiths working under that name, incredible. The blue appraisal paper seen in the background is the only document it came with but the previous owner hinted he might have a additional document belonging to the sword. Would there normally be other documentation to the appraisal?

Thank you very much David. Would that mean its not from the early 1900:s? Or is the blade much older then the rest? Trying to get my head around this? Thanks again!

Would much appreciate some help identifying this sword that just recently came in to my possession. As part of a trade and resolving a debt this was included and given a estimated value. And as none of us knows much about swords he claimed it was from the mid/late 17;th century which seemed to me totaly implausible considering the feel and look of the sword. Even though I feared it to be a replica or chineese copy at first I got a more and more positive feeling about the blade after a while, didnt feel fake to me but I still fear it might be. He first wanted about 2500 € I haggled it down to 1500€ thinking I would take a chance on it. Having taken the help of ai to decipher the Japanese writing it seems to point to a much more modern sword. ChatGPT claims to see the words : Taishō-period (1912–1926) School: Bizen Osafune ,swordmaker Matsuo Nobusada (松尾延定) or possibly Matsuo Entei (松尾延定) What is your opinion on thoose claims? If real; please help me with a ballpark estimate on the value in your opinion. Did I overpay for a fake sword with fake certificate or did I do okey in this deal? The sword measures about 73 cm (29 in) and 75 cm (about 30 in) with scabbard. Very thankful for all the help I can get. /Gus