I like this but...

[ikarus228]

I like this katana... but am fairly certain it is gimei... That doesn't necessarily bother me too much. However, I also kind of think it might not be a true nihonto at all.  Maybe a modern Korean or Chinese knock off. In which case, I'm not really that interested in it.  The grain pattern and polish don't necessarily look super fake to me (for what I assume is a recently polished blade,) but the hamon looks a bit too perfect and the nakago almost looks falsely aged(?)

 

Reminds me (stylistically at least) of some of the more "expensive" Chinese manufactured katana's (ex: ebay's GLW sword,) but with a false aged nakago and shirasaya mount instead of the normal koshirae they are typically seen with. 

 

Any thoughts?

[Ken-Hawaii]

If it's a Chinese knock-off, it's time to be worried. I think it's real, Bizen, & without seeing the bare blade, probably late Edo.

[Surfson]

I agree with Ken.  It is purporting to be a Yokoyama Bizen Sukesada.  The blade looks appealing.  I didn't study the mei, but do believe that it is a genuine samurai sword made during late Edo most likely.  

[PNSSHOGUN]

The signature is Gimei but the blade itself is authentic and quite a nice one, all said and told. Probably originally an unsigned work of the Bizen Sukesada school circa 18th century with false Yokoyama Sukesada Mei added later.

[ikarus228]

Thank you for your help! I guess I am just perpetually skeptical, but the consensus seems to be that it is truly nihonto, though probably gimei.  

 

 

I think I will try to get it, unless the auction goes too high. 

[Ken-Hawaii]

Michael, please buy what you like, for your own reasons, not because of our opinions  Is there some reason you're not looking for a papered (authenticated) blade?

[Alex A]

That "but" wont go away after you have bought it, loads of swords out there, take your time and you will find one without the "but"