I purchased this knife from a knife shop in Osaka about 20 years ago. It was made by the same factory and the same craftsman as the Ichikoshi Tadatsuna knives. (At that time, there were three knife shops, including Nagata, that bought knives from that factory.) I sharpened and used it, but not very often. The rust preventative oil (applied at the time of purchase) is still present. Some of the oil is gone from the back, but the coating will disappear with continued use. The mirror finish reflects light, making the photos appear dark. It's difficult to see, but there is a hamon (temper line) on the back, indicating it's a Hon-yaki (true-forged) knife. There are a few minor chips in the blade that are difficult to see in the photos. I am selling it at a reduced price from the original purchase price! It's a great value, just because it doesn't have a name on it. If you are considering purchasing a Hon-yaki knife that will last a lifetime, please consider this one. Please feel free to ask any questions or make an offer.