New Japanese Sword

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Tang10

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Some of just the blade...J

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Blade2

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BLADE3,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Thats all for now,,Thanks again for your help guys...........Kindest Regards Jimmy

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Can anyone tell me what the reverse tang inscription says. Is it a cutting test....Jimmy

[juoneen]

All the body tested swords i have owned have one line of charachters on one side, and two rows on the other where the test is as it says specifically what the test was. Average swords are 24 to 26", and this sword has been refitted at least once,some shortened thru the years, and appears longer than 29 , as longer is better, but you tell us the length. Nice temperline and older blade, although from the photos I t appears the temper line comes back around the tip, a good sign... But you will need a pro to read it for you. There are several california samurai sword clubs that might be able to read it for you, but you may have to send a rubbing of the mark. Dont send the sword.Dont get discouraged with what people tell you, as many collectors in samurais , dont share their true knowledge. Maybe contact bob who has a store called bushido in hawaii. I used to have his contact info somewhere. He should be able to help some, but remember , if its good he will want you to sell it, and thats a telling thing in itself. Values in samurais, are not as easliy acquired for free , its your ignorance they feed on. Get many dozens of opinions.Beware of the major advertisers wanting to buy in military magazines etc. One particulair one i know of has given many under valued appraisals, and ripped unsuspecting sellers off thru the years. (pm me for the name in confidence) Check the reputation of such people in the business before dealing . These vet captured swords are scarce nowdays. id say you did good. Dont get taken to the cleaners, by not taking the time to research this nice sword. Id say its a medium point, and thats good. Good luck, dont expect to hear too much about it here. Sword collectors are out only for themselves. Be skeptical always when owning one you are trying to research ,as to the opinions of interested parties given freely to the negative who after slamming it want to still buy it. Do not allow them to make you feel bad. Many times its a ruse thats played at your expense. Good luck to you, and your quest. Id keep it as thats cheap for one like you have. Remember there are no friends in the samurai collecting trade. once its gone , you may find yourself kicking your own butt for selling it too cheap. also if someone keeps bugging you about it, and wants you to price it, and when you do at a high price,and they want to buy it right off that means the price is too cheap. and if by chance they keep whittling at you to price it for less. beware for sure. Always research the reputation of all interested parties. You may just thank me some day for the heads up..Make them make you offers that are standing. then keep their contact info for future reference and the universe will unfold as it should. Never deal with anyone who says this is my offer, and you take it today or the offer is no good tomorrow, as that is undue pressure, and a sign that you are being played. Real honest buyers will say , Ill pay you X anytime, heres my phone number even if its years down the road. Although most slick buyers wont offer , they want you to hang yourself with your own rope. without truly knowing what you have, you cant sell. Also if you show it to one dealer, and he doesnt buy it, the others (when they find out by you telling them wich is going to get around fast, they will not want it just because you didnt show it to them first. Its strange , but true. If you decide to show it, do not try and sell it , just say its not for sale, and what can you tell me about it? You will understand as you fly by the seat of your pants. I have learned the hard way, and had many expensive japanese swords over 43 years.

[Edokko]

Can anyone tell me what the reverse tang inscription says. Is it a cutting test....Jimmy

Budo45 translated that side to you on his first post. It's the year and month of make 天文十二年八月吉日 (One auspicious day in August Tenbun Year 12), or perhaps Tenbun 13, that part is very unclear on the tang and looks almots like it was cut double.
I have looked around a bit on the mei and so far does not look good. High possibility of a gimei (faked mei), but was done ages ago.
Oh by the way, I'll buy the sword for a $1,000 .... hehe just a joke (about the purchase offer part ).
As for juoneen's long lecture, there is truth in that there are unscrupulous dealers out to get a deal out from unknowing owners. Diligence and hard study is everything in this field, however, if you go about any collectors circles with unfortunately a paranoid attitude of quote : "Sword collectors are out only for themselves", then you will not earn any friends or help from fellow collectors. As with anything, you have to have a balanced mind and heart with your hobby.

[VIPER]

Thank you my friend. Your advice is sound. It is not my intent to sell it. As I have searched a long time for just the right gunto. I was only after a primo WW2 example and I feel I got a whole lot more considering what I gave for it' An old blade was just a plus......Thanks again to all for helping me make this old sword "talk"....;;;Jimmy

[Budo45]

quote
Sword collectors are out only for themselves.


I take offence to that statement, I'm sure you know that guy is working from some bad experience, there are a whole host of collectors out there that are more than happy to help with out trying to get it off your hands, so to speak. I encourage you to post it here.
http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/ under translation assistance and tell them that it was translated on another board but you'd like to know which each kanji means what and see how helpful NIHONTO COLLECTORS really are. It is sad there are a few who want to take it away from you, but IMHO there are a lot more out there who just enjoy studying Japanese swords (Nihonto). as far as gimei I'm sure you'll get a lot of opinions on that, to truly tell it needs to go to shinsa, id trust Edokko san as he has the books and I have sold all mine, to you it does not matter and I'm glad to hear that your not selling just wanting to learn. This is a great board, if you want to dig deeper into the Nihonto world id go the NMB or Sword Forum International.

[VIPER]

Thank all for their comments and hellp. Even if it was a real Masamune it would not be for sale. It may be sent for a proper polish and shirasaya as well as shinsa but it would not be for sale unless I was going hungry as I liked the piece just as a WW2 shin gunto. My desire is to let it tell me all it can.....Jimmy

[Budo45]

2 out of 3

It may be sent for a proper polish and shirasaya as well as shinsa

id say yes to two of the three, No need for polish IMHO it wolud remove to much steel and can be enjoyed as is. Have fun learning.

[VIPER]

id say yes to two of the three, No need for polish IMHO it wolud remove to much steel and can be enjoyed as is. Have fun learning.

Agreed. As it is still in a nice polish. I just thought it was what they did prior to Shinsas.....Jimmy