Brian

This seller is one that really doesn't want us discuss his auctions or at least post his pics here (Not to say we won't discuss them, but don't post his pics here) He has some nice items, ranging from fair to good, and a steady buyer following. Good communication..if not a little over-protective. Polish varies, but there are usually good pics and you get what you see. Anyways, I am really interested in this topic. I have seen a sword signed Bizen Kuni Osafune Jyu... and it is interesting to me that there is a theory that this "ju" placement might indicate gimei. Of course that is not suggesting that the other placement automatically guarantees shoshin...but does anyone have more info on the placement of ju after Osafune? Brian

Don, The best advice is the find a traditional polisher to open a window and see what lies under there. A window shouldn't be too exppensive and you will get an opinion on whether it is worth further work. Try the links page under restoration for some possible guys. Good luck. Brian

Very bunny!..umm..er....I mean funny.

Just to throw a (polite) spanner in the works here... Not everyone who owns only mediocre swords doesn't lust after a Juyo blade, and studies the top level items to further his knowledge and enjoyment. You can be an art expert and study the very best works out there without owning one. The point is you don't stop learning and studying the best items. You can enjoy your own swords for what they are, but as long as you have the passion to study and conserve, to me you are still a true collector. But the key is to know, love and respect the items regarded as the pinnacle of the art. Also..not everyone who has the means and knowledge to collect the top items is elitist Knowing what is required and having the ability to go after them isn't elitist..it is sensible. This doesn't mean there aren't many elitists in any art field, but everyone hopefully collects to the best of their abilities, and it is your passion and desire to study and further your collection and knowledge that makes you a true collector. This has to be fun, or there isn't much point to doing it. See the best you can..purchase if you can, and enjoy the trip at the same time. Even the "accumulators" have their place in the grand scheme of things..just as long as they constantly strive to improve their collections and never settle on pertetual mediocrity in their own minds Brian

Mariusz, Nope..you can't. At the end of the contact process you will be told ebay blocked it. Jean...no-one offered me a diplomacy job, so I gave it up :lol: I sent eBay a message about that last fraud, and tried to contact the high bidder...neither with any success. So someone lost $1000, and we knew but could do nothing about it. Brian

Yep..eBay now makes sure you cannot contact anyone that isn't a buyer or seller of your item. No more warning people about to be conned. All very difficult now, they are sooooo paranoid you might just sell something off ebay. Brian

He appears to have passed away on December 24th, 1943 at the age of 74. Some pages say 1942, but this later date seems the most accurate. If so, then this might be one of the last blades he forged. I don't see any reason for this to be anything less than represented? http://moderntosho.com/biographies/Sada ... anBio.html Brian

Mariusz, So as not to cause a debate we have covered at length before...I think the reason given for your point #2 is that many/most of these fake signatures were not done at the time of manufacture, but were done much later by the fakers. Not as the original artist intended, and therefore are misrepresenting the sword. Lots of debate about it, but it the accepted practice and for valid reasons. However there are many collectors who are happy to keep the gimei signatures on their blades, and appreciate the sword for what it is. Brian

Hmm.. The sword has a nagasa over 70cm, and a decent bo-hi. Koshirae and shirasaya. Seems healthy and in a decent polish showing a nice hada. Even as a mumei piece, that isn't a bad price at all..I certainly wouldn't toss it off my sword rack. Fittings aren't too bad either. So as an overall piece, I would say that under $5K you can do a lot worse. Of course if I was spending that kind of money I would want to see it in hand, but even ignoring the Rai "sayagaki" it will sell for more than this I think. Time will tell. Brian ETA: That sayagaki looks amateurish and done with a "koki pen?"

All, Call me scheptical, but when browsing ebay today, I came across these 2: http://cgi.ebay.com/Japanese-Samurai-Sw ... dZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/Japanese-ANTIQUES-S ... dZViewItem Something about the auctions is ringing alarm bells for me, maybe you develop a 6th sense when you have been on eBay long enough. None of the usual indicators...the sellers will take other payments besides Western Union, and are in the USA supposedly. Language is decent English, and they seem to know the terminology. However the random eBay names made me suspicious, and looking at the feedbacks shows that they registered many years ago, with no recent activity for the past few years. Always a possible stolen ebay account. Sellers who know Nihonto will seldom list items like this with no reserve. Do I did some digging. A Google search for the Nobufusa pulled up this page: http://www.antiquesartfloorsandswords.com/sword2.htm Same registration certificate number! Same dimensions. I somehow doubt a sword selling for $7500 would end up on ebay for a no reserve price? The seller knows swords too...he manipulated the pics a bit, and added kanji on the photo. He also scanned the book write-up on Nobufusa, so he must have the book and know Nihonto. Hmm..... please be cautious. eBay doesn't even let us warn the buyers anymore, so someone is maybe going to be conned. As for the Yoshifusa, google turns up a listing for one written the same unique way (TAN-BA-no-KAMI-FUJI-WARA-no-YOSHI-FUSA) here: http://www.google.co.za/search?hl=en&q= ... arch&meta= But it is no longer on that page, probably having been sold. But with that way of writing, I am also suspicious about it. No proof on this one, but I am posting it anyways as a caution. I am sure I have seen that style of pics and commentary somewhere before. Hmmm. Again, not conclusive proof of anything, but be careful. As we point out, eBay is a minefield, and not every danger comes from fakes or the usual China auctions. Brian

As far as I understand it, no other swords or edged weapons are included at this stage, but will be looked at in the future. My one fear is that when the very next incident occurs with a "samurai sword" they will not turn around and say "we were wrong, the ban has no effect" but will instead say "see?..we were right. There were too many exemptions and the laws were not strict enough" Bound to happen. But anyways.... In this forum, we are preaching to the converted Brian

Hi, I'd rather we discuss items if possible than prices on current auctions. Just seems like we can easily influence buyers, and what is high to one person is cheap to another. We can discuss the quality and features..and occasionally the price if it is a major issue, but I would rather we focus on the items themselves. Not a rule, just a suggestion if we want sellers to accept and value the forum. Btw..those prices do seem average prices to me in Japan. When I was there, it is hard to find even mediocre tsuba under around $300-400 in shops generally speaking. Brian

Well..they do say that imitation is the best form of flattery Would be nice if they credited each section with the original site though. Brian

I can only echo what Rich, Pete and everyone else has already said so well. Moriyama san, I know you are a humble man, but you take the time to help us all constantly. It is not about how much anyone knows, but how they use what they do know, and you are an inspiration to us all. Regards, Brian and the entire NMB

Yep..it is in the implementation and regulations that you will see all the nasty aspect appear. That is where they throw in limitations that make life difficult, as seen here in SA. I expect you are going to find it extremely difficult to import and export swords, and will have to jump through hoops. Luckily you have groups working for your best interests..without them all would be lost. My comments about a spy are a bit misleading. But you definitely have someone or a group posing as a "Collectors & Re-enactors Organisation" (let's call them C&RG for short) As an example: the question Should curved, single edged swords (sometimes known as “samurai swords”) be added to the Offensive Weapons Order? - One C&RG says yes..the rest no. The question: Do you agree with the defi nition as suggested and should there also be a minimum length of blade for the weapon? One C&RG votes yes. The question: Should there be any exemptions for genuine Japanese swords? One C&RG votes No ??! The question: Should there be an exemption for martial arts practitioners? One C&RG votes No. The question: Are there any exceptions, exemptions or defences in respect of existing offensive weapons which should be added? One C&RG votes No Notice a pattern? I fail to see any logic there at all, unless the supposed group is actually an anti-organisation posing as a C&RG...or they should be closed down. They are not acting in the interests of any supposed members they may have. Just pointing it out. Would love to know who they are. Brian

Stephen, No idea, never seen it. The request was sent to me via email by a friend. Brian

Thanks very much Patrick, Yep..this one looks way too young to be 1600's, and with that name I am going to assume it is gimei. Student of Kotetsu. I'll pass on the info. Brian

Hi all, I was asked via email if anyone can assist with this one, and if anyone has any info on him? Thanks in advance. Brian

Mikolaj, That is the find of the year...congratulations and thanks! It's gonna hurt the dial-up..but will be worth it. Everyone...wait a day before you get it..I need all the bandwidth I can get :D :lol: Brian

As someone who has seen legislation basically shut down his business, I don't think it is good. Shocking and embarassing in fact. But I do think it is the best you could have hoped for under the circumstances, and I think those who were lobbying against it did a great job. Now you will have to see how the regulations are written, which is usually where they sneak in all the nasty stuff. Those of us in the USA, RSA and many other countries will know what i mean when I act disgusted at them making you lock up simple sharp pointy objects and prove to them why you have a need for it. The English govt should hang its head in shame. Btw..please note carefully that you have a "spy" among you. Note that their is a "collectors or re-enactors" association that voted against every single positive aspect of this. They can't possibly represent collectors or re-enactors!? Find out who they are. Oh well..we wait and see. Brian

Hi Don (can we get a name and initial please, makes it easier to know who is who, thanks) Very little I can tell from the pics. I think it is probably real, and probably a showa era WW2 oil quenched sword, but you will have to wait for it to arrive to give us better pics. Without being able to see the kissaki and nakago properly, and any hada and hamon, not much we can say about it yet. Brian

Item 180190955166 is about 5cm across...so more likely for a tanto? He really needs to add pics of the other sides and give the measurements. These are a risk you take I guess. Brian

Reinhard actually has a good point there. It completely slipped past me that this wasn't in the eBay section. My apologies..since I did say I would tighten up on that. Moving it now. Btw..don't let the discussion of these tsuba fool anyone. They aren't anything to get too excited over. Mediocre tsuba in the line of the average Po-Edo stuff. Most would be nice to get for 100 bucks or so for a mounting project or similar, but not in the same league as most we discuss in the tosogu forum. Some ok ones, but not the stuff you buy to study great tsuba as the tsuba guys here will tell you. Brian

I won't :D I am a pretty mean sniper myself. One of us is going to be paying too much :D Brian

Michel, Once I figured out it was a heron and a crow, a google search turned up all the info http://ww2.netnitco.net/users/legend01/heron.htm "Herons are fabled to be the enemies of eagles and the friends of crows. In Japan and China a heron and a crow may be pictured together as a symbol of the yin-yang." http://books.google.com/books?id=rZPrsy ... #PPA241,M1 A lot of info there on page 241. http://www.kiseido.com/printss/p10-1.htm In his album Momo Chidori (One Hundred Plovers) Utamaro portrays a snow-white heron with a black crow, traditionally symbols of the black and white go stones. Hope this helps. Brian