Jim P

Hi Steve, I had a look at Bungo saneyuki IMHO, when you say an exact match for the 2nd saneyuki. the first has some differences the two generations of Saneyuki were active from 1615 - 1672 and if you look at the Nakago of the blade dated 1661 its seems that it would more likely be the second gen ? by the date but Steve.s link looks more like your Nakago its dated 1661 it may be the pic but the Nakago seems a tad different for the first ? they must have worked at the same time

I am with Brian on this No welded nakago it would not get a NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper if that was the case maybe its, he was born in Yamagata pref. in 1750 He passed away in 1825 aged 76. should be 75 ?

Hi Lukas, You need to post some more pics if you want better info on what appears as a Kii Ishido school smith but the kanji for Yasu 安 is different ? all the mei I looked at it was 康 like this, look at pic. and could not find that mei Kii (no) Kuni Junin Yasuhiro ?

Hi Sylvain, Looks good, I would be interested to know who the smith is ? Good luck

Hi Chris, If you decide to do it, just make sure the he is a Japanese trained polisher and remember they have long waiting lists and 1 or 2 years or more is common. There is a list under Restoration in the links page

Hi Chris, I think it would look great in a new polish let us know how things go

Hi Chris, IMHO, This blade is worth a shot at Shinsa the mei looks close have a look at the 2 blades next to it they both have NBTHK papers to Kanewaka 3rd gen

Hi Piers, Had a look at Fujishiros, this is what the Trans,had to say. From your post " he is not sure whether Bunmei Hirotsugu and Eisho Hirotsugu are father and son, or just one smith." HIROTSUGU SOSHU [EISHO 1504 SAGAMI] SUEKOTO JOSAKU He is the son of Bunmei Hirotsugu, there are works from Meio to Eisho. The Bunmei Hirotsugu is also viewed as the same person. Hamon is gonome choji and suguba nioi shimari. Horimono of bonji and suken are also seen. Signatures: HIROTSUGU SOSHU JU HIROTSUGU SAKU Plate II: SOSHU JU HIROTSUGU SAKU Plate III: SOSHU JU HIROTSUGU SAKU Plate I: HIROTSUGU

Hi William, It looks like you are dealer ? why don't you ship outside the USA ?

Hi Neil, I had a quick look at that Kunisada mei but only found 2 mei done like that so you will have a hard time working out if its mei is shoshin ? in the first and second there are some differences ? it was in the shinto_meikan and http://www.nihontocraft.com/Izumi_no_Kami_Kunisada_mei.html and Danny lists it as a Sosho mei

Hi Ray, I also enjoy Bingo Ko-Mihara work, it’s one of those schools that are a bit of a drop box for suguha blades so we get some variation and IMHO a lot depends on the condition of the polish some of them would have a good chance of a new attribution to some of the others and a lot of the ones we see are a bit on the tired side. The Sword of Asano Yukinaga thats Juyo Bunkazai is a good example of one in good condition ( http://www.sho-shin.com/sanyo13.htm) a very nice blade that gives you a better idea of what they looked like.The last one on the page is my blade whose condition is not too bad that blade will have a touch up polish at some point so it will be interesting to see if the attribution will stay the same as Ko-Mihara work has a lot in common with Tegai and Aoe and even some of the other schools like the Rai school their jigane can also be a bit hard to see if not in good polish but when you can they come to life

Hi, A better view the_annual_dai_token_ichi_2016 PDF1.pdf

HI Neil, lf you did not know there are a few guys in NSW that collect Gunto so its not as lonely as you think

Hi Neil, Without some pics of the blade it’s hard to say much, as I said the mei does not look right as there is no one signing "Hizen no Kuni-jū Tadahiro" that I could find but that does not mean it is not a good blade. Also you are not wasting the forums time we are here to help but you have to give it some time for people to reply and its sort off policy not to post the mei on the first day as it gives a chance for member’s who want to have a try I can give you some sho-shin mei to compare your to if that helps I have listed the ones in Hawleys that are similar but no Hizen no Kuni-jū Tadahiro ? Hizen Kuni ju Musashi Daijo Fujiwara Tadahiro Hizen Kuni ju Fujiwara Tadahiro Hizen Kuni ju Omi Daijo Fujiwara Tadahiro Hizen Kuni ju Shinsaemon Fujiwara Tadahiro Hizen Kuni ju (Omi Daijo) Fujiwara Tadahiro Hizen Kuni Sagami Daijo Tadahiro Hizen Kuni ju Fujiwara Tadahiro Hizen Kuni Tadahiro Hizen Kuni Tadahiro

Hi Neil, As you are new to this, a hint on the sword smith look at the Hizen school if you still have a problem we will give you the info but need some pics of the blade to tell you more. I had a look in Hawleys and Index of Japanese Swordsmiths for you but cannot find this mei ? there are a lot of Gimei for this smith.

Hi James, without seeing the swords, Which Would i Choose? none if you want us to help we need the pics just going by the ratings is not the best way forward just as an example I have a sword with an 80 point rating I have see swords that would impress and I would love the own and ones that I would not buy all the variable come "in to" play

Hi Tedd, Aoi stated, (not guarantee because of consignment sale.) look at the price, I think if it had a chance it would have been listed for a lot more ? I think you did well but IMHO.gimei have a look at 2 shoshin mei from the web

Hi Michael, in Victoria the easiest is to get a membership to one of the groups like this one http://swordcollectorsguild.org.au/ then you should have a smooth import If you have a problem let me know and I will get in touch with them as he is a good friend

Hi, This should help, http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/19561-customs-advice-australia/ what state are you shipping to? Vic has extra requirements.

Hi Chris, The info you wanted, Shouji Chikuzen Daijyo Taikei Fuji Naotane (Kao)/Bunsei 13 nen Chushun (Spring1830) http://www.aoijapan.com/appraisal-quiz-290 and answer is on 291 also just a thought but if the bo hi is original Korekazu seems to cut the edge a bit thicker IMHO I think this blade was made to look like an old koto sword

Hi, Have a look at this blade by Taikei Naotane my bet is with Naotane but you have to resubmit to get a definitive answer

Hi Bojan, I think you have done well, Nice Wakizashi

Hi, Its a bit hard to tell if the Hi is ato-bori with those Pics but I don't think it matters much ? it looks like a late shinto revival piece.

Hi Bojan,You will see some with a second Hi some with one Hi, I have see them with red lacquer in the second groove and some without have a look at the pic I grabbed from google it has one

Hi Bojan, This is one type of Naginata hi if you have a look on google you will find them second groove is OK