Beautiful fleebay “Nobuyoshi” Katana with ugly fittings

[Bridges]

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, below is an interesting eBay post showing some high bids early in. I think the hamon is beautiful but the habaki is very ugly and looks modern. Tsuba looks quite plain as well. I am more familiarized with kyu-gunto types so you all may be able to elaborate on the “certificate” this blade comes with, signature and the age. The nakago appears cleaned to me as I don’t see any active rust. This item is coming from Tokyo.
 

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/404060191076?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=TW-8h2A-QKy&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=5b5Igx0HQ7e&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[noneed2hate]

The "certificate" is just a sword registration paper AKA Torokusho that more or less has to follow the sword while it remains in Japan. These papers are turned in to the Japanese Government on exportation of the swords. They do not validate or certify anything beyond this being a sword AFAIK.

Hard to see much detail on the sword, a lot of glare/glow in the photos

[Bridges]

Good to know George, is this similar to firearm permits in the US?

[noneed2hate]

Never really had one, but to the best of my knowledge, this registration card follows the sword rather than the person, and is subject to police verification/confirmation whenever asked. 

[NewB]

Without degrading the blade/seller, lately I see a LOT of blades being offered/sold with absolutely unacceptable flaws in or near the kissaki area. While I understand that their future owners do not intend to cut with the blades it is yet a flaw that i recognize and I suggest (per my sensei teachings) that is never compromised with. I'll leave the rest to interpretation. 

 

"The life of the blade is in its 'monouchi' area", he said.

 

Sincerely 

 

J.

[John C]

Noah:

I'm a little skeptical. The mei does not seem to have a nice flow about it. It kind of starts and stops; the way a forger might write it. In addition, as a Nobuyoshi owner and researcher, I have not seen that particular syntax on a 1st generation Nobuyoshi. Usually, he would use Fujiwara or Minamoto Nobuyoshi. And lastly, 1st and 2nd gen Nobuyoshi typically used chu-kissaki and the picture in the auction looks O-kissaki to me. 

 

John C.

[Bridges]

That’s interesting John, you’re speaking Greek to me now haha but what I’m gathering is, the mei is not correct which is a red flag. Darkcon, are you referring to what appears to be rust near the kissaki?

[NewB]

1 hour ago, Bridges said:

That’s interesting John, you’re speaking Greek to me now haha but what I’m gathering is, the mei is not correct which is a red flag. Darkcon, are you referring to what appears to be rust near the kissaki?

 

 

This

 

 

J.

[Bridges]

Got it, would a togishi not remove that or are you thinking it’s a hairline crack?

[NewB]

51 minutes ago, Bridges said:

Got it, would a togishi not remove that or are you thinking it’s a hairline crack?

 

Speculation based on a photo, however if that goes anywhere, as it appears .. 🤔 

 

Just a thought. And togishi and kissaki.. tough love - ask the forumites about it

 

Lol

 

❤️

 

 

J.

[Ooitame]

Kinda looks like a patch.