Brian

Well done Carlo! Who says sake cups don't help with swords. Brian

As Carlo so well expressed, this is indeed a touchy subject, and I am allowing it to continue thanks to the fact that you have all kept it civil and emotions aren't running wild. Let's keep it that way if we can, so that I don't have to lock it...just a pre-emptive note Thanks, Brian

Simon, I've dealt with him before, and am pretty sure it is a Gendaito. I also don't usually associate "kitau kore" with machine made blades, indicating something at least a step up from that. With the activity he mentions and what I can see, I am pretty sure it is at least handmade. You don't see much choji in oil tempered blades either. Not saying it doesn't occur, but it isn't typical. I am more used to seeing suguha or a regular sanbon-sugi. Brian

Walter, With current auctions, I would prefer we concentrate on discussing the swords and the work, rather than the value. I don't want to influence current auction prices unless there is something dramatically wrong with it. Since there is no price guide, and it is worth whatever someone pays for it, the best is to use dealer's listings and experience to get an idea. To me is seems fair, but to someone else it might be expensive or a bargain. I have dealt with the seller before, and he is decent. I would ask a few questions and make sure there are no flaws before contemplating any purchase from anyone. Brian

Lee, I think it is natural that everyone errs on the side of caution when talking about a big name like this. No real way to come to a full conclusion without a shinsa, and I assume that this one will definitely be heading for a full polish and then to shinsa. Please keep us informed on the progress, and the result. I am sure we are all holding thumbs for you. Brian

Resized and uploaded the pics. No need for half a page of blanket Brian Ps - There's that square mekugi ana again! No-one seems to be able to give an explanation for those except for mis-shapen round holes. However that one is obviously very deliberate. Just a style or idiosyncrasy of certain smiths, or something else?

My condolences go out to his family and friends. Very sad to hear of the passing of yet another serious Nihonto enthusiast. Brian

Michael, Try (for those that still want to have a try at it) I think that is the same guy. Brian

Just thought I would have some fun and ask what good deals you have picked up in the past that are not swords..but related? Some days a bargain appears that we can't say no to. In my recent case (bragging very slightly) I noticed I was missing the book "Swords of the Samurai" by Victor Harris from my library. Not an essential book, but I try and get all the English ones that are out there. A web search found me a few copies..all over $90 and up used. Last week a copy appeared in my used book search from Amazon.ca, and I thought it must be a mistake. The price was $7 So I thought may as well have a go..registered and ordered it. Well...I expected an email saying they made a mistake and the seller wanted $70 or $170, but today my book arrived, in mint condition. Paid $7 plus shipping. I guess I scored for a change. So what good deals on fittings, books, art etc have you come across to restore your faith in this whole buying thing? Brian

Looked like hieroglyphics to me :D Well done guys Brian

Michael, You judge them mainly by the quality of the world. Good Soten work will be immediately apparent. Take a look at these examples, and compare: http://www.truefork.org/Photography/Tsuba_4.php There are also posts here about Soten work: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2342 and compare yours to the one mentioned here: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2768&p=19593 Brian

Thanks Reinhard, that is very helpful. As Reinhard demonstrated, and looking at the overall work, the sukashi work and the kogai ana...doesn't this seem to be a poor quality later copy of an earlier work? Bear in mind this is not coming from a tsuba expert (or even an educated tsuba novice really) but that is the impression I get from it? Brian

That's for both Reinhard and Darcy, for getting us thinking. Excellent points, and a great article to consider. We all try and fit swords into these nice little boxes where everything matches, but in reality the swordsmiths weren't working according to a textbook. Good to get some discussion going on swords like these. Thanks, Brian

Well..I guess it's past being educational now, but might be useful if someone decides to write a book on the pattern oneday, and needs examples :lol: Brian

Hi Rick, Google image search is pretty useful when the normal google search is too frustrating. Try this: http://images.google.co.za/images?hl=en ... a=N&tab=wi The first 2 links (and others) have some pretty good pics. Maybe someone has some that aren't online. Regards, Brian

Me too I have one that desperately needs a polish oneday when I have extra cash, and a polisher is feeling brave. :lol: I also have one that is slightly smaller, but has a nakago like a huge yajiri with no mekugi ana. Will have to post pics, as I wonder about it. Doesn't seem to have a hamon, so either ceremonial or some large presentation yajiri.. Brian

Here you go Michael. http://home.earthlink.net/~jggilbert/Cleaning.htm Look forward to the pics. Regards, Brian

Has the nakago ana on this one been drastically altered? Especially at the top, I can't see that being the original shape, Maybe enlarged greatly at some stage? Looks like it needs quite a large sekigane there? Brian

Jock, It is an intriguing thought that there might be an artificial etched hamon over a real one. Maybe done during the war. Unlikely...but every rule has its exceptions. If it were me, I would be looking at the mounts and the nakago to tell me the story. Is it in D-Guard Kyu Gunto mounts that often held artifically etched blades? Something else that usually housed etched blades? The nakago will show you if it has any age, and therefore the likelyhood that it had a real hamon at some stage. Blade sugata will also help with seeing if the blade has any age. The hi will also tell a lot if it is well cut. Too little to go on right now. Brian

I know that Ford was going to write a fairly detailed analysis of this one, but is pressed for time with his forum. I am sure we will get some explanation soon going into a bit of detail about his reasonings, and hope I am not putting him on the spot Brian

Pics didn't upload correctly. Edit your post and re-upload? Brian

$120 is a very good price too (Koto volume only) The Shinto one is getting hard to find nowdays. There has been talk of a revised edition, but I haven't heard any more about it. If you are looking for a Shinto one too..email them and let them put you on the list. They do come across them from time to time. Brian

Let's see... Almost no pics of the blade. No hada or hamon pics shown. A fuchi that looks like some of the repros I have seen (unless closer shots would have shown differently) and someone with no selling history and minimal buying history from sword guys. Nah..I don't think so from what was shown. I saw that one early on, but passed for those reasons. Also the mekugi ana seems offset to the point that there must have been some reshaping at some stage possibly. Maybe better pics would have shown it differently, but from what I could see it was a definite no-go. Just my 2c. Brian

James, There are many more I suppose, but for me it would be Fujishiro's Nihon Toko Jiten Koto volume (English translation available) or Nihonto Koza Koto parts 1,2 and 3. (Also available in English) What do others say? Brian

Milt, If the seller copies the pics and uploads them, you can't do much about it. I was refering specifically to those fraudsters who link directly to the original pics. There it works nicely. It doesn't happen often, but in this case, I was going by the statement: Brian