Nihonto Blog
How to Spot a Gimei: Fake Signatures on Antique...
Quick Summary A gimei is a forged or falsely attributed signature on the nakago (tang) of a Japanese sword. Over 80% of blades claiming...
How to Spot a Gimei: Fake Signatures on Antique...
Quick Summary A gimei is a forged or falsely attributed signature on the nakago (tang) of a Japanese sword. Over 80% of blades claiming...
What Is Jihada? Understanding the Grain Pattern...
Quick Summary Jihada (地肌) is the grain pattern visible on the surface of a nihonto blade, produced by the folding and forging process used to work tamahagane steel — and...
What Is Jihada? Understanding the Grain Pattern...
Quick Summary Jihada (地肌) is the grain pattern visible on the surface of a nihonto blade, produced by the folding and forging process used to work tamahagane steel — and...
Hamon Nihonto: How to Read the Temper Line
TL;DR The hamon is the temper line that runs along the edge of an authentic nihonto. It forms during yaki-ire, the quenching process in which differential clay coating causes the...
Hamon Nihonto: How to Read the Temper Line
TL;DR The hamon is the temper line that runs along the edge of an authentic nihonto. It forms during yaki-ire, the quenching process in which differential clay coating causes the...
Antique Nihonto vs Custom Commission: Which Is ...
Quick Summary Antique nihonto and custom commissions are not competing products. They serve different collectors with different goals. An antique gives you a piece of Japanese history with a jihada...
Antique Nihonto vs Custom Commission: Which Is ...
Quick Summary Antique nihonto and custom commissions are not competing products. They serve different collectors with different goals. An antique gives you a piece of Japanese history with a jihada...
Wakizashi Buyer's Guide: How to Choose and Auth...
Quick Summary A wakizashi is a traditionally-forged Japanese short sword with a blade between 30 and 60cm, and it operates in a collector market that is meaningfully different from the...
Wakizashi Buyer's Guide: How to Choose and Auth...
Quick Summary A wakizashi is a traditionally-forged Japanese short sword with a blade between 30 and 60cm, and it operates in a collector market that is meaningfully different from the...
How to Read a Katana Signature (Mei): Authentic...
Quick Summary A mei (銘) is the swordsmith's signature chiseled into the nakago (tang), and it is one of the most critical factors in determining a nihonto's authenticity and market...
How to Read a Katana Signature (Mei): Authentic...
Quick Summary A mei (銘) is the swordsmith's signature chiseled into the nakago (tang), and it is one of the most critical factors in determining a nihonto's authenticity and market...