Removing signature

[Caliper]

Apparently in Japan is very common to remove Gimei (false signatures) off the nakago, the togishi has to either filed it or carefully tap the metal around it to cover the mei (impressive). so less filing is done to not take too much material off the nakago and then do a patina

question, does the katana value rises when the gimei is removed or stays the same?? I'd understand why you'd want to get rid of a false signature but what does the NTHK thinks about this alteration? or perhaps purification?
:ohyeah:

[Mako]

I can't comment on the alleged practice of removing gimei and faux patination of the nakago within Japan but the NTHK and NBTHK will not 'paper' a gimei blade.

[Taygrd]

If the mei is questionable it always goes back to the blade, the mei is just one facet of the overall value. Some gimei can be quite valuable and old as well. Tokogawa lords had "masters" blades copied with gimei to be given as gifts. Have to be a pretty good sword to pull that off. They were even faking smiths swords while the smith was still alive. If the gimei is old I would hesitate to remove it, but I guess as Mako stated if you wanted to get a nice gimei sword papered that might be an option, however I am unfamiliar with the NTHK's policy on that. Altering a nakago is still altering a nakago.

[Caliper]

interesting, thanks for the replies guys B-)