Gendaito or Showato?

[jdawg221]

I have this kanemichi listed in the sales channel, and would like confirmation on whether it is showato or gendaito(previous owner says gendaito). Here are some pics of the blade: 

[jdawg221]

Btw there are no stamps on the nakago. However kanemichi seems to have a longer signature then what is present on the nakago, hence the confusion

[vajo]

In my eyes it's showa-to

 

But overall such pictures are not good to judge it. Try to catch the hamon in a good light from a low angle to see more.

 

 

This is an example from a Kanemichi gendaito (i hope the difference is clear to see. I didn't mark it). 

I hijacked the pictures from Matts site: St. Croix Swords (hope thats ok for comparing it)

 

[jdawg221]

I see what you mean. Here are more pics in hopefully better lighting

[vajo]

He made high to medium grade showa-to. Your blade is very uniform. No hada is visible. The hamon is very bright but without nie and ara-nie. There are no ashi. I can't say anything else that it is a showa-to.

Maybe others see it different.

 

 

[lonely panet]

the poor new polish will make it hard to see anything but scratches

[PNSSHOGUN]

If there are ware/flaws it may be a half forged sword, that is to say there was some additional forged aspect of the steel but it was quenched in oil.

[Ooitame]

I can make out some hada activity in one picture. But the dark line with the hamon and other items leans toward as John, states, possibly folded but oil quenched. Could be a bad polish or age and use hiding more details. Also, photos are hard to do, take your time with light and camera at different angles, no camers flash. Will leave this one to the more knowledged. 

[John C]

Just asking this because I don't know...does the relatively ko-kissaki and long nakago on this sword tell us anything about showa-to/gendaito differences?

 

John C.

[Bruce Pennington]

  On 12/29/2022 at 8:48 PM, John C said:

long nakago

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I'm speaking way out of place, as I'm not a nihonto guy, but the longer nakago with second ana says to me that this blade was made for a Rinji seishiki (type 3).  It has since been re-fitted with civil mounts.

 

Also, and forgive me guys if I'm off base, but it's my understanding that smiths often made their swords in styles they like from ancient schools, or old famous smiths.  The blade could still be oil quenched.  For example, the SMR blades were in the style of some school or smith, but they were totally showato.

[Brian]

There is really nothing that suggests it isn't Showato. That would be my take on it.