JoeR1981 Posted February 21, 2023 Report Posted February 21, 2023 Hi everyone, i just bought a sword on eBay that the seller says is signed by Hizen No Kuni Tadayoshi. It's a type 98 WW2 sword. The signature on the tang looks a little sloppy to me but im no expert and either is the seller. Can anyone lead me to the right conclusion? Quote
NewB Posted February 21, 2023 Report Posted February 21, 2023 Hello, I'm not an expert, just someone to guide you through what is usually needed to have a good guess presented to you! Photos of the blade shape (without fittings) in vertical shape, photos of the hardening of the tip and the overall tang shape plus the folded steel of the blade could lead to more educated guess. The mei is rather bold but it looks suspicious to me. Could be the the powder still in the Kanji.. Personally I've never seen gojimei Tadayoshi chiseled this way but I'm novice. Hope this is a little bit of help to get a better more conclusive answer J. Quote
JoeR1981 Posted February 21, 2023 Author Report Posted February 21, 2023 NewB thank you, i will do my best with the pics provided by the seller. I hope i am wrong but i took a chance with it. Your input is much appreciated! Quote
NewB Posted February 21, 2023 Report Posted February 21, 2023 I m definitely far away from making a call - I'm a big fan of the school, hence my reply I'd say gimei Also, Adding accurate dimensions could help greatly - cutting edge length, tip length, tang length and overall blade length .. the photos do not provide great insight .. J. Quote
JoeR1981 Posted February 21, 2023 Author Report Posted February 21, 2023 Here are detailed measurements for the sword: Nagasa: 64 cm Sori: 0.7 cm Motohaba: 3.3 cm Sakihaba: 2.5 cm Kissaki Nagasa: 5.8 cm Nakago Nagasa: 25.8 cm Kasane: 0.7 cm Quote
JoeR1981 Posted February 21, 2023 Author Report Posted February 21, 2023 NewB, right i think i need to seek a professional once it arrives. I posted the measurements that the seller listed, i wish he had better pictures of the blade. I will have to wait until i actually recieve the sword lol Quote
NewB Posted February 21, 2023 Report Posted February 21, 2023 Absolutely Take some good photos. To me it is signed on the wrong side plus some other stuff.. Could be wrong J. 1 Quote
JoeR1981 Posted February 21, 2023 Author Report Posted February 21, 2023 I didnt even think about which side, wow. I really appreciate the help, def not having high hopes anymore lol the seller does accept returns thankfully. I'll continue to research though, im still interested in an authentic Tadayoshi blade. Thank you! Quote
NewB Posted February 21, 2023 Report Posted February 21, 2023 The Shodai works are rare and even in this economy keep their value. Arguably he was one of the most respected shinto smiths per the information I have. Google 'shodai tadayoshi' and check out sho-shin.com Look how many families own the important works - that's a sign for something. J. Quote
JoeR1981 Posted February 21, 2023 Author Report Posted February 21, 2023 Absolutely. I will do that, i respect the school enough to take a gamble on eBay so i def share your admiration! Hey by the way, im holding on to hope here, i saw a few pics of authentic blades with the signature on the right hand side of the tang so you never know! Quote
NewB Posted February 21, 2023 Report Posted February 21, 2023 10 minutes ago, JoeR1981 said: Absolutely. I will do that, i respect the school enough to take a gamble on eBay so i def share your admiration! Hey by the way, im holding on to hope here, i saw a few pics of authentic blades with the signature on the right hand side of the tang so you never know! NTHK April Shinsa in Chicago ! Small investment for real answers.. https://nihonto.com/shodai-hizen-tadayoshi-初代肥前忠吉/ http://www.hizento.com/history-school-of-tadayoshi-1st-generation.php J. Quote
JoeR1981 Posted February 21, 2023 Author Report Posted February 21, 2023 Thank you i will check them out! Quote
David Flynn Posted February 21, 2023 Report Posted February 21, 2023 1st giveaway, the sword above is signed Katana Mei, where as Tadayoshi signed Tachi Mei. 3 1 Quote
JoeR1981 Posted February 21, 2023 Author Report Posted February 21, 2023 David Flynn, thank you for the info! Quote
JoeR1981 Posted February 21, 2023 Author Report Posted February 21, 2023 David Flynn, i just read that they signed Wakizashi on the katana mei side, hey maybe its a wakizashi?? Its only 64cm long, not super short but def in the ballpark! Quote
Guest Simon R Posted February 21, 2023 Report Posted February 21, 2023 Hi Joe, As it was years ago, I'm not sure where I copied the following two illustrations from (and so apologies to anyone if it is from their own publication). However, I thought it may shed some light on the signature style. I should add that I myself, have zero knowledge of the intricacies of this school. Quote
Guest Simon R Posted February 21, 2023 Report Posted February 21, 2023 PS: this is a definitely genuine example which was appraised by Honami Koson in 1940 and appeared on the website www.hizento.net 19 years ago. (Also note the position of the menuki-ana to the right of the second kanji.) Quote
JoeR1981 Posted February 21, 2023 Author Report Posted February 21, 2023 David Flynn, you are making a lot of sense. I hope you are wrong though lol I believe it was an actual WW2 katana but not an actual Tadayoshi blade. I know a few countries got a hold of these things by the ton and everyone was trying to squeeze every penny out of them. Quote
JoeR1981 Posted February 21, 2023 Author Report Posted February 21, 2023 SRDRowson, thank you for the info and yup, that signature looks so crisp and clean. Great lines. Nothing like mine. Quote
John C Posted February 21, 2023 Report Posted February 21, 2023 4 hours ago, JoeR1981 said: the seller Matt at sohei-swords perhaps? John C. Quote
NewB Posted February 21, 2023 Report Posted February 21, 2023 53 minutes ago, SRDRowson said: PS: this is a definitely genuine example which was appraised by Honami Koson in 1940 and appeared on the website www.hizento.net 19 years ago. (Also note the position of the menuki-ana to the right of the second kanji.) Just FYI Mine's published. J. Quote
Brian Posted February 21, 2023 Report Posted February 21, 2023 If you buy a non papered Tadayoshi on eBay...then yes. You bought a gimei sword. But the good thing is you paid gimei prices. Did you pay $5000+ for it? Nope.....then 100 other bidders knew it was gimei and passed. No treasure hunting on eBay. Also, the blade length is 64cm. That means it IS a katana. Not that it might be a long wakizashi. If it is 60.6cm or longer, you have a katana. These things aren't variable or subject to debate. Yes, it's a real Japanese sword and yes...it went to war. 1 Quote
JoeR1981 Posted February 21, 2023 Author Report Posted February 21, 2023 Brian, thank you for the input. I appreciate your words on the matter. It's an interesting item either way for sure. Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted February 21, 2023 Report Posted February 21, 2023 Do you have the original listing handy? Quote
Guest Simon R Posted February 21, 2023 Report Posted February 21, 2023 2 hours ago, NewB said: Just FYI Mine's published. J. Jolly good! Quote
JoeR1981 Posted February 21, 2023 Author Report Posted February 21, 2023 https://www.ebay.com/itm/225418845476?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=aj6v6l0tQNq&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=cWUbYfV2TdW&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY Quote
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