Hi all - my father is passing and left me this sword, which he got from his father.  Grandad was in the occupying army in Japan after WW2.  A kind redditor pointed me this way, and said that the writing says “at the battle of Toishi, Naito Mitsumoto cleaved through a man and his horse”.  I’d love to learn more about it.   The forum won’t let me post all of the pictures; I’ll follow up with more.     Thank you,    Rick L ..read more

This is the other sword that I just bought. My powers of kantei, especially of old mumei blades, are not well developed; my powers of photography are even worse. So with those complete and full disclosures, here goes.   The blade is mumei, appears to be ubu, has one hole and is quite long - 79.3cm/31.25". It has funbari (don't want to start up the debate about what that is - I am referring to rapid tapering of the motohaba in the first 4-6 inches of the blade). It also has significant tapering of both the kasane (thickness) and the width (from motohaba to sakihaba). It has a deep koshizor ..read more

I'm going to be in Berlin for next week; I was wondering if there was anything worth seeing there if I have a few spare hours.   Thanks ..read more

I’ve recently acquired the sword and I’m only a beginner with really no knowledge of true nihonto swords. I’m not needing a  value of the sword but only to know is it a real nihonto blade. The mounts are shin gunto type  98. The tusksa is in decent shape for its age. the Bo-hi runs all the way down to the end of the tang. That is the part I wonder about most. The signature seems to run into the bo-hi.  Right below the peg hole there is a tiny flower stamped in if you zoom in on the tang picture you can see it. Thanks. for all input good,or bad. This post is not for fin ..read more

Just looking for any second opinions on If there is anything suspicious or in-authentic of this kanteisho and the translation of the smith.   Thanks,   Taylor ..read more

Can anyone tell me anything about this sword. I can take more pictures. My great uncle got this in the battle of biak. It’s mumei and has no markings of any kind. It’s got a faint hamonI ..read more

Hello,   The mei of this wakizashi is Tsuda Echizen no kami Sukehiro. For me, when I compare with books, the mei looks good with nidai oshigata. As it is a big name with lot of gimei, I would like to have your opinion on this one.   Thanks   Sébastien   ..read more

Hello all,   I acquired this wakizashi a few years ago and I noticed I can't find a clear boshi. My fear is has been reshaped rather than a bad polish. What do you think?    It also looks like the habaki has been "polished" as it looks like it has some remnants of some kind of rain decoration.   The seller said it was in original polish when I bought it but... I don't know if that is true.   What is your opinion on the subject ..read more

Hello, all.   I have a couple questions regarding the first Nihonto I bought. It’s a katana by Yasutomo with an old NBTHK Kicho origami. The paper attributes the blade to “Late Generation Aizu Yasutomo”.  Do any of you have any idea which Yasutomo this is?  Anyone after 5, or probably 7, 8, or 9?  I realize without a signature, they were just guessing. Does the sword seem to be stylistically more Shinto or Shinshinto?   I have four Sesko books, and he lists a lot of Yasutomos from Sendai, but I didn’t see any Yasutomo entries with anything mentioning Aizu, nor do the N ..read more

Good day,   Please help me identify this sword if this is legit or fake and can this still be restored? This sword has chips.   https://ibb.co/pyjFvr5 https://ibb.co/hK7pGT5 https://ibb.co/41B1hvS https://ibb.co/x2dJWpw https://ibb.co/phq2Pzj https://ibb.co/Cb3bCPf https://ibb.co/fncGDN9 https://ibb.co/gZVqF0p https://ibb.co/DQ5Yj4s https://ibb.co/p0cr9YG https://ibb.co/3y4tHZT https://ibb.co/G9SytpR https://ibb.co/Dg7hcWs https://ibb.co/WzpDJwb https://ibb.co/qDBYqZk https://ibb.co/Nn4HP2f https://ibb.co/0DjbBLP https://ibb.co/FWH34vp https://ibb.co/5xF9qRW https://ibb.co/zGSKKDF ..read more