How can one tell if this blade is a genuine higonokami made by Nagao Seisakusho?

Slippery Pete is wrong. Sorry Pete. Genuine Higo No Kami are less expensive than new knife makers in China that imitate their product. Yes Pete, the one you got came in brass handle. It's actually a brass colored aluminum, but I've got one like that too. As well S this very one advertised here. Even Knife center sells them between $12 & $450. And they are all this product, just different sizes, different stages off finish completion (this one is barely even polished; ie rough spine & other blade areas), also this guy who is the "Last Guild Member" isn't the last man that makes them. You need to understand how Guilds work. Ancient Japanese trade guilds (like all old skilled profession guilds of old days every) were established to protect craftsmen and their life long education and practice & their rank in these trades guilds or Craftsman guilds. Japan and China had laws made & enforced by their Emperors' courts & counterfeiting was brutally punished. The few old time blacksmith guilds in Japan that mass produce blades are very few & far between (except Chef knife makers) but Tje Allies Made it illegal for blade Smithing swords & weapons to effectively dis-arm Japan. This law is still in effect today. There are a few that are allowed to continue in a preservation of thier Heritage. Higo No Kami is one of these blade maker's guilds in Japan (Nihon). Nagao Seisakusho, is the Guild's Sensai, Master& head teacher. His Kanji is on Every Blade, as well as other Kanji of the other Smith involved on your piece. Like my Japanese swords, I have 3 Katanas, 1 Wakizashi & 1 Tano. And when you take them apart, there are Kanji all over the inside of the handle. When I had some one translate, all had the sword maker & the school or Guild and one is actually dated & names an occasion it was made for as an iintended gift for. Anyway, these are genuine. It will even come in the little cardboard box that they all come in... at least the less expensive ones, like this one.

is the steel agonami blue or shigonami white?

The steel on this model is neither. This model is the laminated SK steel. To get the white steel model, try checking out higonokami model 09 and up (this is 07). The SK steel isn't bad by any means, but it's not the same level of premium steel quality you get with the blue or white paper steels.

Does this have an image of a samurai on the other side?

No, It does not. The ones with that image on them are copies of the original. This is an authentic knife it comes with the proper box as well. Well worth it.

I just bought and received this knife with no box, just a plastic sleeve. did I not receive the genuine article shown in these images??

I received the knife with the original paper box (knife was packed in a plastic sleeve). I guess your knife lacks original box, but you should contact the seller for more information.

Recommended Uses For Product	Carving, Hiking, Peeling, Whittling
Brand	HIGO NO KAMI
Model Name	Higo no Kami
Special Feature	Foldable
Age Range (Description)	Adult
Handle Material	Alloy Steel
Color	Steel
Blade Material	Alloy Steel
Style	Modern
Blade Length	3 Inches
Power Source	Manual Winding
Product Care Instructions	Hand Wash Only
Hand Orientation	Right Hand
Item Weight	1.76 Ounces
Blade Shape	Wharncliffe
Reusability	Reusable
Item Length	6 Inches
Global Trade Identification Number	00846682024442
Shape	rectangular prism
Size	3"
Blade Type	Japanese
Manufacturer	Iwachu
UPC	846682024442
Part Number	7
Item Weight	1.76 ounces
Item model number	7
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer	No
Item Package Quantity	1
Number of Handles	1
Special Features	Foldable
Batteries Included?	No
Batteries Required?	No

HIGO NO KAMI

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