Is this by Horikawa Kunihiro ? Your opinions appreciated

[jw680]

Hi, I'm a beginner student in Nihonto. Would appreciate if you could share your experience on this one. I was told it had been a family sword. The kanji reads Horikawa Kunihiro 堀川国廣 on one side and on the other side Keichō 08 慶長八年 at Ashikaga Gakkō school 足利学校. It's a pretty big blade and feels quite heavy in hand. I wonder what you guys think, is it gimei? Is it even worth to consider a shinsa? Anyway I have learned some interesting Japanese history by doing some reading on this. Many thanks! Regards, Mo

 

[Ian B3HR2UH]

Hi Mo  , without checking my books I would be pretty sure this is not right . Certainly not the Kunihiro . There is a category of swords that I refer to as Showa fakes  . These typically have big names inscribed on the nakago and crummy horimono on the blade . This looks to be one of these although you would need to have it in your hand to be reasonably sure about that . 

Ian Brooks

[PNSSHOGUN]

This seems to be a sword from "samuraimonkey", as he regularly deals in dubious items and practices I wouldn't hold high hopes for the authenticity.

[Bruce Pennington]

Ah, the sword upright on the naugahyde seat!!! Definitely the Monkey. BACK AWAY FROM THE MONKEY PRODUCT....THE RUN! (not kidding.)

[ChrisW]

There's a list of eBay sellers you should avoid, "TheSamuraiMonkey42" or whatever he calls himself nowadays is one you should avoid like the plague. He takes fake and genuine items and doctors (read: butchers) them heavily and then tries to turn them for an outrageous profit margin. Avoid this scammer at all costs.

[Brian]

Op's email contains monkey
Mo....let's just hope it's co-incidence?

[Hoshi]

Run away!! Bad gimei with dremel horimono. Get your money back if you can...

[Surfson]

Don't want to hijack the thread, but I have a sword on ebay right now and the monkey is the top bidder.  Should I disqualify him?  

[SAS]

I would, he has no business at all messing with artifacts and swords.

[Bruce Pennington]

Don't want to hijack the thread, but I have a sword on ebay right now and the monkey is the top bidder.  Should I disqualify him?

 

I agree. He blocked me, I can't even buy a mekugi from him, because I pointed out the fakery of his stuff.

 

And like Steve said - I wouldn't put good stuff willingly in his hands to be butchered with his bad horimono.

[Surfson]

Fortunately, he has now been outbid.  I will block him if he comes back.  

[TheGermanBastard]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-Japanese-Army-officers-samurai-sword-antique-1600-ANCESTRAL-FAMILY-BLADE/114258986016

[16k]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-Japanese-Army-officers-samurai-sword-antique-1600-ANCESTRAL-FAMILY-BLADE/114258986016

 

 Guy really has no shame! 

[ROKUJURO]

I am not at all sure that this is a 'Dremel' HORIMONO.