Help identifying?

Josh Grossman · August 29

Unfortnately it is unsigned and has too much rust/pitting to really see the hamon. The nakago has been filed and shortened. Given the length of the nakago, even with the shortening, and the high curvature, it seems like it might be a tachi older than an Edo period? The only writing is on the iron tsuba. Thanks.

Josh Grossman · August 29

Josh Grossman · August 29

Is it worth sending away to get polished? Is there anyone anyone would recommend near Ohio to help restore it?

GeorgeLuucas · August 29

Unfortunately, I believe this is a fake. The profile and the look of the tang appears crude and not right. The shinogi into the kissaki looks off to me.

More than likely not Japanese.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news…

And a second opinion never hurts.

-Sam

ChrisW · August 29

Agreed, this does not look to have any of the typical hallmarks of Japanese craftsmanship.

Josh Grossman · August 29

30 minutes ago, GeorgeLuucas said:

Unfortunately, I believe this is a fake. The profile and the look of the tang appears crude and not right. The shinogi into the kissaki looks off to me.

More than likely not Japanese.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news…

And a second opinion never hurts.

-Sam

Think the kissaki is correct. It is just hard to see with the condition it is in. The tang has been heavily filed and shortened.

George KN · August 29

Sorry, I have to agree with Sam and Chris... The tang is of particular concern - I wonder how it is actually attached to the rest of the sword under the habaki? It doesn't look like there is a shinogi line that continues to the very end, and is very uneven.

Tensho · August 29

Its not a genuine Japanese sword. Tsuba is cast, fittings are junk, nakago is ground down,shinogi is off, nakago-ana is drilled way to far down, and it has a brass habaki which is a pretty standard on fakes. Only gunto usually tend to have them.

ChrisW · August 29

13 minutes ago, Josh Grossman said:

Think the kissaki is correct. It is just hard to see with the condition it is in. The tang has been heavily filed and shortened.

You are more than welcome to attend the next Indiana Token Kai meeting and bring it for an in-hand assessment by our members. You'll also have the opportunity to see and handle many legitimate nihonto there!

We meet every third Saturday of each month, 10am to 2pm, downtown Martinsville Library. Message me if you'd like directions/details.

ROKUJURO · August 29

Josh,

for the next sword (hopefully a genuine one), please show better photos. They should be

- well focused and not blurry
- made with a dark, non reflective background for good contrast
- made with light from the side (may not apply for HAMON photos)
- made from directly above (not at an angle)
- made with correct orientation (tip-upwards, especially NAKAGO photos)
- without HABAKI but showing the MACHI and NAKAGO JIRI
- made in high resolution to see details
- showing details of the sword like BOSHI, HAMACHI, HAMON, HADA, NAKAGO JIRI etc.
- presented as cut-outs so very little background is shown (we don't want to see your bed)