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Post by p7t3b on Mar 16, 2017 4:32:46 GMT
Hello Everyone, I'm new to sword's and collecting and could really use some assistance. I've spent the last two days trying to decipher this signature.. (I have no clue what I'm doing!! lol) I'm not even sure it's a "real" signature, or just some BS gibberish!? The guy selling it (here in the states) says it's from a friend in Japan, thinks it's an "antique" 1900s, he's not sure of the maker and or the material (Tamahagane "maybe"?) used to make it, but does be leave it to be made in Japan. I really want my first sword to be an authentic Japanese Sword made from Tamahagane, I know they don't come cheap, but is it possible to acquire one for around $300-$500.? Thanks, Phil B.
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Post by Jussi Ekholm on Mar 16, 2017 16:41:43 GMT
I am thinking this came from Komonjo. You can search online forums what is said about fresh swords from Komonjo.
左国?作 I cannot find any other new smith than 左国光 (Sa Kunimitsu) that this would fit and it is not him. I would approach with caution.
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Post by benvk on Mar 16, 2017 17:44:23 GMT
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Post by Richard Arias on Mar 22, 2017 4:19:42 GMT
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ken~katana
Member
I'm Ken Katana on the weekends...
Posts: 29
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Post by ken~katana on May 4, 2017 2:52:48 GMT
Hello Forum, Hello Phil..
I was looking for info on his e-bay Blades, and, I bought this exact Blade back in March.. (March 18 )
I should have looked closer here in this section.. I too, was not sure if this Blade was "Real" Japanese made..
I got the same answers from the seller, so, I understand the disclaimer. I did not see the name "Komonjo" on any transaction info. He has a "Regular Name"..
I, too, was wondering about the mei. Thanks Jussi... I was hesitant to ask the Guys at the Nihonto Forum..
The consensus is that they are gimei blades.. But.... May I ask... Are the blades made in Japan? I just wanted a Real Japan Made - Japanese Smith/Apprentice Blade.
I am using it for Display. Just wanted to add on a Habaki if anything..
Why is it hard to find a Habaki for these Blades? Most of the ones on e-bay are for Wakizashi size Blades. The Blade I bought has a 1.140" width. Anyone Have a big Habaki ?
Added 5/3/17 :
Thanks Treeslicer
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Post by treeslicer on May 4, 2017 6:44:44 GMT
FWIW, real traditional Japanese blades (which these things, however peculiar, appear to be) aren't made to a micrometric interchangeable standard like the Chinese mass-produced blades approach. All the fittings have to be custom-fitted. Get a good brass falling-rain habaki wide enough to overlap your tang and blade at the hamachi, and get busy with needle-files. Then be prepared to fit a saya....and whatever else needs to be done. Something is very weird here, The blades in these ads look good, even pretty, but they are far too cheap to be made by legally licensed Japanese smiths. Without going any farther into speculation, let's just say that they set off my BS detector, To answer one of Phil's questions, yes, you can get real nihonto online for $300-$500. I've done it repeatedly and easily, but the real, history-soaked, tamahagane blades in that price range don't look anything like new. They are priced low because they have bad polish, horrible scratches, battle-damage, flaws, rust, or whatever. The good ones will have full-length hamon (not fire-damaged), but will need all the TLC you can invest in them, plus some genuine Japanese polishing stones and the skill to use them. Going to a real polisher costs $100 an inch and up, and these blades aren't worth it. All that said, they are real, and have history attached to them. The only way I know of to get unquestionably real nihonto in the lowest price range is to buy direct from Japan, and insist on seeing the registration certificate that Japanese law requires the owners of real Japanese swords to have with the sword at all times. I can recommend this seller for abused blades in need of a good home, stores.ebay.com/World-Armor-Antique-DAIMYOU I've bought 3 from him, 2 waks and a katana, with no problems whatsoever. Every so often, he'll start a blade auction at zero, or at least something under $200, and then bargain hunters have a chance at them. EDIT-- For some reason, the link didn't work, so here's another one. Daimyou
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Post by treeslicer on Jun 27, 2017 5:09:55 GMT
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Post by vermithrax on Jun 28, 2017 1:01:56 GMT
Nihonto of course can be bought for prices that are reasonable, as treeslicer detailed. If one really wants to hold a piece of history and the epic skills of smiths long lost, there are many sources (Daimyou is a good one) to obtain an example.
I don't collect to try and make money but in nihonto many things matter. A good condition period blade is going to cost money. And that's if you stick to Shinto or Shinshinto era. Earlier, well, a lot of money.
Things like polish, any corrections made (kissaki, width taken down to fix damage, etc) and mei quality become important. Cheap blades are attractive but restoration is very expensive, and a down nihonto market can mean you have an non-liquid asset should you want or need to sell.
It's drama to be brief.
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