Wakizashi - Legit or no?

[Patinamax]

Just purchased this on a whim as the seller had good feedback, and an interesting assortment of swords. They seem to have a good return policy, but I saw that this auction was ending soon and wanted to jump on it, figured a return would be easy if it isn't authentic. 

 

Seller says "Takada Ju" and "Shizusada", mostly terms I am not familiar with, and the one thig that looked odd to me was the rust. Here are some pictures from the listing - just wanting an advance idea on if it's legit or not. Thank you all in advance! Sorry for the low picture quality, if it is any help and a make or break thing, I will be happy to send more pictures when I receive it. 

[Rivkin]

Looks like shinto Bungo Takada wakizashi, most likely you can find exactly who using nihonto signature search or alike. Its very much of polish.

[Mikaveli]

豊州住 ? 

 

Can't make out the mei entirely (read the actual smith name)?

[SteveM]

豊州高田住平鎮貞

 

Hōshū Takada-jū Taira Shizusada

[Nobody]

鎮貞 usually reads Shigesada.

[Mark S.]

What was it about this blade that made you want to ‘jump on it’?

[ROKUJURO]

Lance,

to answer your basic question: Yes, it is an authentic Japanese sword, but we don't know if the signature complies with that of the original SHIGESADA. Condition is not great, so all depends on the price you paid.

In my opinion, the red rust on the NAKAGO is fresh and not a big problem if treated in the right way. Don't try it yourself, though! 

NAKAGO images are best posted vertically with the tip upwards.

[Patinamax]

14 hours ago, Mark S. said:

What was it about this blade that made you want to ‘jump on it’?

The price, as also I am a big fan of blades with no tsuba - as for the price, when I bid on it it was just under 300, I picked it up for just under 400. I figure with what I've seen, I could do worse. 

[Patinamax]

5 hours ago, ROKUJURO said:

Lance,

to answer your basic question: Yes, it is an authentic Japanese sword, but we don't know if the signature complies with that of the original SHIGESADA. Condition is not great, so all depends on the price you paid.

In my opinion, the red rust on the NAKAGO is fresh and not a big problem if treated in the right way. Don't try it yourself, though! 

NAKAGO images are best posted vertically with the tip upwards.

Thank you! I had wondered if the new rust was something that would be determining on whether it was authentic or not, although for some reason I did not consider new rust on an old blade... derp! 

 

The pictures are from the seller online, I will be happy to take more when it comes in (hopefully today!)

[Patinamax]

Thank you for the input all. I was mostly making sure it was authentic as I am still a novice on this front! 

[2devnul]

16 hours ago, Patinamax said:

The pictures are from the seller online, I will be happy to take more when it comes in (hopefully today!)

 

Hello,

 

I think most of forum users already know Ebay-Komonjo 'shop'. His pictures usually match same template so you can quickly recognize his offers. 

 

My personal experience with Komonjo is that he knows his job. If he assumes that sword is not Gimei he 'does' the polishing and Shinsa (quiet often you see his blades with NBTHK from 2023, even right now I see he has 2 blades like that). Please note that is just my personal opinion. I could be totally wrong. 

 

400$ for rusted blade like that is a fair offer I think. Question is, are you happy with the blade condition? I know that some people even prefer this type of 'old look' instead of healthy/flawless blade. IMHO because for amateurs it looks more authentic (if it is 300 years old then it must look like this and not like new). I personally prefer healthy/flawless blades and would rather wait and buy something for 1500-2000$ in decent polish with NBTHK, but it is just me. 

 

Since you bought it I wonder if you will try to send it for polishing. What will be the outcome. Can rust (talking about blade) be completely removed without polishing the blade to the 'core'? 

 

PS. Please note that I don't judge anyone. I personally helped a friend of mine to by this type of 'junk-condition' blade cheaply, because he wanted that 'old look' (blade was even missing Hamon, probably due to being salvaged after fire). 

 

Cheers!

[2devnul]

17 hours ago, Patinamax said:

Thank you for the input all. I was mostly making sure it was authentic as I am still a novice on this front! 

 

Again, per my experience based on what I saw/bought from Komonjo. 

Old blades he offer are authentic as if by that you mean Nihonto. Gimei or not, hard to say. Mr. Mike Yamaguchi (if it is still him behind the Ebay account) is also usually stating in description (when no paper) "bid on steel not on signature".

 

However, if you ask me about his Gendaito/Shinsakuto offers, I think majority is made outside of Japan. Maybe even by Japanese smith in Korea/USA (rumors!), who knows... 

[Patinamax]

8 hours ago, 2devnul said:

 

Hello,

 

I think most of forum users already know Ebay-Komonjo 'shop'. His pictures usually match same template so you can quickly recognize his offers. 

 

My personal experience with Komonjo is that he knows his job. If he assumes that sword is not Gimei he 'does' the polishing and Shinsa (quiet often you see his blades with NBTHK from 2023, even right now I see he has 2 blades like that). Please note that is just my personal opinion. I could be totally wrong. 

 

400$ for rusted blade like that is a fair offer I think. Question is, are you happy with the blade condition? I know that some people even prefer this type of 'old look' instead of healthy/flawless blade. IMHO because for amateurs it looks more authentic (if it is 300 years old then it must look like this and not like new). I personally prefer healthy/flawless blades and would rather wait and buy something for 1500-2000$ in decent polish with NBTHK, but it is just me. 

 

Since you bought it I wonder if you will try to send it for polishing. What will be the outcome. Can rust (talking about blade) be completely removed without polishing the blade to the 'core'? 

 

PS. Please note that I don't judge anyone. I personally helped a friend of mine to by this type of 'junk-condition' blade cheaply, because he wanted that 'old look' (blade was even missing Hamon, probably due to being salvaged after fire). 

 

Cheers!

Thank you for the information! This was very helpful. I was wondering - as he has great feedback for the most part. The package came in last night and I have not opened it yet as I have been busy for the holidays, but Mike Yamaguchi's name was on the box if that helps. He is in Berkeley, so less than 2 hours from me, hopefully has storefront...

 

I will open it up this weekend and have a look and take some more pictures. I will have to keep an eye on his shop as I have seen some sold listings from him that have been 300+ year old swords in decent shape sell for less than 300... 

 

Again - very much appreciated! I am new here and working on learning more about Nihonto.