Is my Nihonto Certificate Authentic?

[Jason Pavicic]

Hello, I purchased my Katana (see images) at Tozando in Kyoto, back in May. It took 4 months to ship. While trying to get the certificate and other documents translated, I was told that potentially my certificate is one of the older certificates, which got caught up in a Yakuza scandal and are considered invalid? The tang on my sword has a signature: Heianjo Yasuyuki. I find it hard to believe Tozando would sell me a fake antique sword. Hence, why I'm asking the group here to review my details. While handling the piece and cleaning it, with proper gloves, the piece is quite exquisite, and the craftsmanship is off the charts. Look forward to any feedback, good or bad.

 

[Toryu2020]

Old green papers are as you were told unreliable. That being said this is not a smith prone to fakes, I would rest easy that this is authentic. Looking forward to more pictures, and please don't lay a freshly polished blade on a bare table top - too many chances for a scratch...

 

-t

[Jason Pavicic]

Thanks for the tip on scratching, miss on my part. Trying to find those pieces of cloth for the stand, so I can display the blade on them unsheathed. That blade is a thing of beauty to walk past, well, for me...

[French nihonto]

As Mr Thomas said, you don't lay a blade on a hard surface, there are pillow for that purpose. There are very few photos of the blade to examine, but I wouldn't worry too much about the signature on the blade, it looks fine. 
if you want to expose the blade without Saya for a long time, beware of humidity, rust can quickly occur, it's easy to get caught out. 

The blade has no Habaki? 

Otherwise, the blade looks nice. 

 

-Max

 

[Brian]

Also bear in mind that fake signatures are extremely common, and traditional in a way. A fake signature doesn't make for a fake sword. There are likely more fake signatures on swords than real ones. Just means the sword wasn't made by the person in the signature.
Gimei swords are sold by dealers daily. It's accepted.

[dyn]

Agree with others on this thread. It's a real antique sword, no doubt about that. 

 

I will say one thing that gives me pause is that since it is from a Japanese dealer, it should've been no trouble for them to re-submit for Hozon. So one must wonder why it was not resubmitted for hozon (or if it was, why it failed).

 

Either way, great sword, I'm not qualified to judge whether the mei is authentic or not.

[Lewis B]

4 hours ago, French nihonto said:

The blade has no Habaki?

 

Yes its got habaki. See 1st photo

[Rivkin]

I would put 1c in trust in any Japanese seller's stock. Their culture in 99% its on you to understand what happens.

On the one hand - its seems to be a minor enough name to wonder why would someone fake it. 

On the other - the signature is poorly written. Can be that it reflects the smith's skill, but generally short, condensed signature with strikes from different kanji literally piling on top of each other - is a very bad calligraphy. It gives an expression the person could not place "tenten" appropriately for the life of it.

[Nihonto student]

Gentlemen,

 

I'm probably wrong but I can't find a match for Heianjo Yasuyuki, the character 幸 can also be read as Yoshi but I can't find a match for Heianjo Yasuyoshi either...does anyone have any references on this swordsmith? Maybe unlisted swordsmith?.

 

My opinion matters little in relation to my experience but I fully agree with Kirill's comment especially regarding the character spacing, regarding the signatures it is obvious that most forgeries focus on well-known names but on the other hand I think that forgery a signature with an unlisted name (perhaps invented) or in any case with few or no references is still a possibility to consider,  it is a more subtle forgery formula because without having certain references it cannot be said with certainty that it is Gimei.

 

All the best

 

Giordy

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

In the Nihonto Meikan, Heianjo Yasuyuki, around Kanbun. Yamashiro. In the Toko Soran.

(Same characters, 安幸)

[Nihonto student]

1 hour ago, Bugyotsuji said:

In the Nihonto Meikan, Heianjo Yasuyuki, around Kanbun. Yamashiro. In the Toko Soran.

(Same characters, 安幸)

Thank you Piers 

[Jason Pavicic]

Peers, thank you for all your responses, so far! I had no idea there was a sub culture of Nihonto collecting; until my certificate was called into question. Really appreciate all the details about my katana and or it's authenticity that everyone has shared.

 

Nonetheless, it was a dream of mine since I was a kid to purchase a real samurai sword from Japan. Never thought I'd have the chance to goto Japan and make it happen, but it did this year! I felt by purchasing from Tozando it gave me the best chance at securing a real Nihonto (made from Tamahagane) which I believe did happen. The katana sure doesn't feel or look like a steel, replica and or Iaito; especially, the hamon pattern. For me, if the sword was created by Tamahagane and it is as old as it's claimed to be, the signature authenticity is irrelevant, for me. My dream was accomplished. No plans to sell, I'll probably be buried with it

 

Yes, the habaki is there. The Saya was badly damaged in shipping. Tozando asked that I send all of the pieces from the handle and the Saya for them to repair. For now, all I have is the blade as displayed above. When everything is returned and put back together, I'll ask Tozando on the certificate, why it wasn't resubmitted.

 

Attaching below are all the documents that I received with my purchase. Maybe it'll shed more light? Thanks again for sharing the knowledge!

 

Katana_jpavicic.pdf