Sorry: I tried to just add a comment to my prior post, but I couldn't figure out how to add more photos. This is in response to Saipan59 OK. I've taken a good look at the items you mentioned, and added some more photos. The light scratches are on both the shinogi-ji and the ji. I can't really determine if they are continuous, or were done separately just meeting at the shinogi, which still seems pronounced and straight. The hamon is still quite visible, and in fact the "scratches" can barely be seen on the harder hamon. There are also scratches on the half of the habaki that faces the nakago. The half facing the blade is untouched (weird)! I've included a picture of the front of the blade. The nakago looks a lot like the one on my other sword, by Tadayoshi. I've included a picture of that too, since these are the only nakagos I have ever seen. Thanks again. Your opinions are greatly appreciated.
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habaki
Hi, The habaki appears to be solid silver, rather than copper wrapped with silver foil.
Solid silver is (I believe) the common type for the 2nd half of the 20th century. Older habaki are usually a different style.
The "scratches" on the habaki are supposed to be there - it's part of the design. That roughness helps make the habaki "stick" in the saya. They can also be an artistic feature, like "falling rain".
Since I don't know enough about the polishing process, the scratching is inconclusive (to me). It doesn't really look like wire-wheel damage, so maybe it really is an unfinished polish...?
Pete
theory
Here's a wild-guess theory as to why this blade has an unfinished polish, an unfinished saya and tsuka, and a (perhaps) finished habaki:
Maybe it was used as a "demonstrator" or "display" item by a polisher or other craftsman. When I met the smith Magoroku Kanemoto about 27 years ago, he had a table of blades in various states of completeness, to show visitors how a blade is made.
If my theory is right, then the blade is either gimei or has some serious flaw...
Pete
Thanks for your theory, Pete.
Thanks for your theory, Pete. It could very well be gimei, and I know its unreasonable to ask for an opion based upon some photographs from a know nothing.
Anybody else out there have an opinion, or know someone in the Los Angeles area I could take the sword to?
I think it is much more likely that during the occupation of Japan, some GI stole it out of someones house or shop, or picked it out from the piles of thousands of swords the people had to surrender to the government after the war.
I think it much less likely that a craftsman would display a gimei or a seriously flawed blade to attract business.
Greg