Real Or Fake?

[Whitegryphon70]

Hi, I am looking at buying what the seller claims to be a genuine old Japanese sword, I am new to Japanese swords, as I collect cavalry sabres which he had 2 that I purchased, but this sword looks like a Chinese knockoff to me but as I don't know I thought I would ask others before I walk away.It is also unsigned on the tang. Can anyone translate the tsuba?

[Marius]

Yup. China. Awful, too.

[Andi B.]

Hi, don't buy it - it's a fake!

And the fittings are unbelivable ugly

[Whitegryphon70]

How can you tell by the blade? The Chinese ones I have seen look Damascus and this one doesn't.

[Whitegryphon70]

The blade has imperfections in it like it is folded but doesn't look like Damascus to me.

[Stephen]

http://jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html

[Whitegryphon70]

Are there any genuine Japanese swords with painted fittings like that? Or is that a giveaway it's fake?

[Stephen]

as been told stone cold fake

[Whitegryphon70]

Thank you for the replies, just wanted to educate myself further was all

[Shugyosha]

  On 12/30/2015 at 9:19 PM, Whitegryphon70 said:

Are there any genuine Japanese swords with painted fittings like that? Or is that a giveaway it's fake?

 

The fittings are a big clue. Even low quality Japanese fittings just aren't that bad normally as a certain pride is taken in the work - the painting, enamel or whatever finish is applied to the metal work on the scabbard of this one is pretty grim.

 

As regards this blade, it looks like an effort has been made to pass this off as an out of polish blade and so the Damascus effect isn't really that obvious (I'm struggling to see an attempt at a faked hada). If you look carefully, however, there is an attempt to create a faint hamon using acid, but again IMHO this is portrayed in such a way as to suggest a blade that needs a polish.

 

There aren't any pictures of the blade with the tsuka off and this is usually where the fakers let themselves down: little or no attention is paid to finishing off the tang in terms of shaping or yasurimei or lining up the machi. Also signatures tend to be a random collection of kanji or something that looks like kanji and they normally make little or no sense in Japanese. That said, the fakes are getting better all of the time and you can often find exceptions to what I've said here.

 

If I can offer some general advice, look at as many genuine swords and fittings as you can ideally in the flesh but also pictures can be helpful (check out the commercial listings on the front page). Ebay and other auction sites tend to be where the sharks hang out and as a beginner you might be better served looking elsewhere...

 

Best regards,

John

[Whitegryphon70]

I thank you very much John for a very helpful and informative post.

 

Thank, Sean

[Johnno]

Yes - from the pictures *everything* looks wrong...

[Jean]

Sean,

 

First thing is to get educated. In the links provided at the top of this page there are dealers'website. First thing to do before asking is to visit these sites and see if there are any tsuba close to this one. Once done, you can post it and give your opinion as a newbie and we can discuss it. What is important for you as a newbie is to be able to forge an opinion and to be able to give the why's concerning "real or fake"

[Johnno]

I can't help thinking another good idea is to ONLY deal with reputable dealers for the first few purchases as well... Just a thought...

[Pete Klein]

Why not take a weekend trip to the Tampa show in February where you can see the real deal? It would be worth the investment.

 

http://www.southeastshowsauctions.com/tampa-2016.html

 

The show is in the Tampa airport Marriott so you literally don't have to go outside, just walk from your plane through the terminal to the hotel. It's a nice venue.