First Nihonto

[MissScratch]

Hi there! Im considering purchasing one of these Nihonto blades but would very much appreciate some feedback on them before i put out the money. 
 

Attaching photos of 3 blades, 2 of which are supposedly "signed" and the other one is a Mumei.

Would very much appreciate getting overall feedback on how these blades look to you guys and if they would be solid first blades for me to own.

[John C]

Mara:

I can't say much about the blades themselves, however I can get you started with some notes.

First, assume all signed blades are gimei (fake signature) if not authenticated by an official organization like the NBTHK. They would issue papers for the blade.

Also, the straight blade may be a shikomizue (cane sword), though it looks a little thick.

The 2nd and 3rd  appear to be wakizashi (between 12 and 24 inches). In general, they carry less value because they were plentiful and carried by more people than a katana.

Probably not much help, however just more to think about.

 

John C.

[Yumso]

Can you give us more clear photo of 1st and 2nd sword's tang?

Especially 2nd one because I'm not even sure if 1st one's mei is written in legit kanji.

 

I'm no expert but from my personal experience, I recommend you buying polished & papered sword. 

[xiayang]

The first mei is very poorly written and looks rather questionable to me.

 

The second mei reads 

 

幡州姫洛宗重 (probably meant to be 播州姫路宗重 = Banshū Himeji Muneshige).

 

[Lewis B]

3 hours ago, Yumso said:

C

 

I'm no expert but from my personal experience, I recommend you buying polished & papered sword. 

Sage advice. Personally speaking, as a novice collector myself, having papers gives the buyer assurances the blade and mei (if present) is genuine. Any doubts would taint my ownership experience and makes it far more difficult to sell in the future.

[MissScratch]

Thank you so much everyone for all of your replies so far!! Extremely helpful information!! 
 

Sharing all the photos I have of the that are being offered to me. Full disclosure he is charging roughly around $600 for each - 

[MissScratch]

The Nihonto he is selling that have paperwork are in the $4,000 range sadly! 😱

[MissScratch]

[Rivkin]

These are shinto wakis with questionable signatures. 600$ is well, ok. Though there is not much to learn or see here.

1800$ on the other hand is a solid budget. 

At a show this buys a decent mumei Muromachi Bizen katana with papers, condition issues and plenty to see and appreciate.

[MissScratch]

Thank you very much, Rivkin! The one that called out to me the most was actually the longer Mumei wakizashi.. 

 

Thank you very much for all of your advice - super helpful!!😊

[PNSSHOGUN]

Avoid anything like this as your first purchase, nothing to learn from except how to get ripped off. You may have more luck reaching out to the Chicago members: