Translation help needed

[shingen]

On my quest for knowledge I came across the swords below. Now I can't yet determine myself if they are good or not so I though to start with examining the Mei. These look a bit close to the surface (not very deep) so that could indicate fake as I understood.

 

Could anyone help me with a translation:

 

Sword 01:

 

 

Sword 02:

 

 

Sword 03:

 

 

 

Sword 04:

 

 

 

 

If it turns out to be interesting I have photo's of all the parts of these Swords. I can post them in the ebay section if anyone interested in hot they look.

 

Thanks.

 

Rick

[Nobody]

They are all fake nihonto.

[Jean]

Rick,

 

I am afraid they are modern fakes; look at your nakago and look at real Nihonto ones ...

[Brian]

Rick,

It has very little to do with the depth of the signatures, and everything to do with the fact that they scream fake.

Study study study....

 

 

Brian

[Jean]

Rick,

 

Here is a link : you are going to study the pictures of each item in the Katana/wakizashi/tanto/fittings sections: Focus on the nakago, on the mei, on the yasuri me (file marks), on the rust, on the crispness of the lines , on the kissaki.

 

http://www.aoi-art.com/

 

After that you will never confuse fakes and Nihonto, above all if you have read carefully this board and Dr Stein website about fakes

[shingen]

Thanks all for your help, appreciate it. Will save the photos as compare material. As Brian mentioned it is back to the study board for me. Thanks for the link Jean I will make sure I will read and observe it carefully. I also bought two books today to help me out which I found in the topic here:

 

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=8341

 

I ordered The Craft of the Japanese Sword and The Facts and Fundamentals of the Japanese Sword. Together with the 2 books I have I should have a place to start.

 

It will definitely take a long time before I am confident enough to find and buy a true Nihonto, but it's well worth it.

 

I hope it is OK if I ask some questions so now and then.

[Jean]

Feel free to ask any question Rick

[outlier48]

Rick -

 

Congrats for taking a step back and starting over with study materials. For too many folks new to nihonto want to start the translation of the mei instead of studying and learning about the characteristics of a good sword (personally guilty of this myself a while back so I know from personal experience of whence I speak ). Kind of like seeing a painting and focusing in on the signature of the artist instead of studying the art itself. Be sure to join a sword society or local club (if there is one) and try to attend shows. Be patient; your knowledge will grow and you will enjoy both the journey and the progress. Good luck!

 

Charlie Brashear

[Lindus]

Rick,

 

Here is a link : you are going to study the pictures of each item in the Katana/wakizashi/tanto/fittings sections: Focus on the nakago, on the mei, on the yasuri me (file marks), on the rust, on the crispness of the lines , on the kissaki.

 

http://www.aoi-art.com/

 

After that you will never confuse fakes and Nihonto, above all if you have read carefully this board and Dr Stein website about fakes

 

Chinese I would say.... reminds me of a night in the friendship hotel in Beigin, had asked our guide re Japanese swords surrendered in China, she arranged that nigth for some to be brought to the hotel. Late a chap turned up with a carpet roll, we adjorned to her room and it was the first time I saw these fakes...great fun and a night that is still a talking point a decade later.

 

Roy

[shingen]

Thanks Charlie, will do my best.