Posting katana for opinions

[Luis22]

Hello Guys!

I just bought this sword from a well known seller on Ebay..Your opinion is appreciated

thanks,

[Budo45]

not sure we can tell you much more that seller showa22

[Luis22]

not sure we can tell you much more that seller showa22

Is it good?? any red flags??

[Luis22]

This is the description he provided he is a very reputable seller but I really don't know much about swords....

This is a Japanese WW II Army officer`s old family sword in combat mountings. The blade is signed "Harima-daijo Fujiwara Kiyomitsu 播磨大浄藤原清光", shinogi-zukuri shape, Edo period ca. 1650 era made blade. The blade is in old polish, shows aged tiny flea-bite rust on surface but no deep rust and in good condition. The temper line is wavy notare temper pattern throughout the blade and has healthy temper at the point. The forging grain is itame-hada and no forging flaws. There is no bend, no nicks, no crack and cutting edge is sharp. The scabbard is leather covered wood scabbard, shows aged wear but no dent, no bend and in good condition. The handle is tight fit, same wrapping are worn out but tsuka-itowrapping is no loose and in decent condition. The tsuba and seppa are matched number 31 stamped. The lock mechanism works fine and the blade fit tight to the scabbard. It has owner's flower mitif family Mon on Kabutogane. The blade measures 26+3/4" tip to the guard, 26+1/8" cutting edge , 1+1/8" width, 6.5mm thickness at the notch, and 37+1/2" in mountings. Shipping is $20 priority in U.S. pay pal payment due within 3 days auction end.

[Budo45]

for sixteen hundred i dont think you did too bad for a sword that old. Very hard to say how good of a deal you got from pix posted. Id say no red flags, only question would be is the mei shoshin or gimei...we cant tell from the pix. Hes a good seller and sells alot of swords for sellers from Japan too if im right.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-WW-...p2047675.l2557

[Luis22]

for sixteen hundred i dont think you did too bad for a sword that old. Very hard to say how good of a deal you got from pix posted. Id say no red flags, only question would be is the mei shoshin or gimei...we cant tell from the pix. Hes a good seller and sells alot of swords for sellers from Japan too if im right.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-WW-...p2047675.l2557

Well ...I was not the winner the guy ended up not paying and I got the sword as a second chance offer a bit lower....I will post better pics as soon as I get it.. I read on another site that this sword smith its rank at 3.5 million yen.......thanks for your help..

[Stu W]

Hi Luis,

I think you will be satisfied with it when it's in hand.

He's a very active seller and I've been told a reputable one. The only issue I have with him is his habit of referring to most of his WWII period swords as gendaito. In the strict sense that is correct as any sword made between 1876 and 1945 is gendaito regardless of whether or not it's handmade. However, the term gendaito is used by collectors (as I'm sure he knows) to refer to traditionally made blades; those which have folded steel, are water tempered and made of tamehagane or oroshigane. In the case of a blade such as yours it's of no concern, just something to be aware of if you purchase from him again.

As to the kamon...have a look at the bottom of the center column here...

http://www.asgy.co.jp/anglais/top10family/suzuki.html

Regards,
Stu

[Luis22]

Thanks Guys!

[nickn]

i think you did very well
especially when you see what machine made ww2 swords fetch
any chance of some more photos?

[Luis22]

I should receive the sword next Tuesday as soon as I get it I will post some cool HD pictures....

[sturmann]

salut,

I saw it and I was seriously lusting after it ...
nice one

[Luis22]

Hi Guys,

I got the sword today, the koshirae is in bad shape possibly seen plenty of action.The blade is in really good condition, it has a nice wide hamon which its difficult to capture in pictures .Saya its wood made covered in combat mountings. The last photo is the MEI I had to enhance thre lighting since the tang its really dark..
here are some other pics:

[sturmann]

Re-

Thanks for those pics . It has a lot of character

[Budo45]

I think you did well also. Lots and lots of history with that blade, well never know but it may have been a family heirloom mouted and taken too war. Or perhaps a young officer who had some bucks to spend. If you ever wanted to restor a blade, this would be one to think about having it polished. Youd want a pro to look at it first to tell you if it would be worth your time and money.

Well done good eye and all that.

Looked up the Mon
Plum Blossom or Ume
looks to be the Maeda Toyama in Etchu family

[Stu W]

and you are in luck there because one of the two best in the USA now lives in your home State. Moses Becerra recently relocated there from his previous location in New York. I've done some deals with him and am quite pleased with the results. Have a look at his site to learn more about him and what he has to offer...

http://www.nihontoantiques.com/

Regards,
Stu