? on recently acquired Japanese swords

laEspadaAncha · 10th May 2011, 06:13 PM

Hi Knife7knut,

Another folder/fixed blade collector...

A good - but by no means exhaustive - resource and primer on spotting knock-off nihonto can be found here:

http://www.jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html

With regards to your examples, while I would hesitate to even qualify or consider myself as a "student" of nihonto (though I am fortunate enough to have a couple in my own collection), as Rich mentioned, the (weld) patterns on your blades appear to be etched. You will not find acid-etched blades on an authentic nihonto. At the website above, you can see the difference between an etched blade and the visible 'activity' in a polished nihonto.

Now, regarding Koto's observation ("koto" means "old sword" in Japanese), he (at least I'm assuming Koto is a "he") must have picked up on clues/cues from the koshirae (mountings) itself, and it would be instructive for me to hear & learn what he observed that led him to a definitive conclusion.

Another good resource (my personal favorite) is Rich's website, to which a link can be found in the signature of his posts.

In the world of ethnographic edged weaponry, probably no other form is as revered - or copied - as the nihonto. And remember that the 'application' of patina is in itself a cottage industry in China, where they have been knocking off their own antiques for centuries...

While the fittings may appear to have age, I've seen quality (knock off) koshirae attached to Chinese blades...

Anyway, hope this helps. Additional photos of the blades and tangs would help knowledgable members like Rich and Koto give you more detailed feedback about your swords and the telltale signs that would indicate or refute their authenticity.

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10th May 2011, 06:13 PM	#4
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	Hi Knife7knut, Another folder/fixed blade collector... A good - but by no means exhaustive - resource and primer on spotting knock-off nihonto can be found here: http://www.jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html With regards to your examples, while I would hesitate to even qualify or consider myself as a "student" of nihonto (though I am fortunate enough to have a couple in my own collection), as Rich mentioned, the (weld) patterns on your blades appear to be etched. You will not find acid-etched blades on an authentic nihonto. At the website above, you can see the difference between an etched blade and the visible 'activity' in a polished nihonto. Now, regarding Koto's observation ("koto" means "old sword" in Japanese), he (at least I'm assuming Koto is a "he") must have picked up on clues/cues from the koshirae (mountings) itself, and it would be instructive for me to hear & learn what he observed that led him to a definitive conclusion. Another good resource (my personal favorite) is Rich's website, to which a link can be found in the signature of his posts. In the world of ethnographic edged weaponry, probably no other form is as revered - or copied - as the nihonto. And remember that the 'application' of patina is in itself a cottage industry in China, where they have been knocking off their own antiques for centuries... While the fittings may appear to have age, I've seen quality (knock off) koshirae attached to Chinese blades... Anyway, hope this helps. Additional photos of the blades and tangs would help knowledgable members like Rich and Koto give you more detailed feedback about your swords and the telltale signs that would indicate or refute their authenticity.