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

The link I posted is a reasonable option. They are trying to fill the gap that eBay leaves, and the sections are moderated, so if you see a fake, they will remove it. They are (I think) UK based. Brian

James, In English or Japanese? Showing mainly oshigata or mostly info about the smiths? Brian

Next time someone attempts fraud and links directly to your pictures, save this image, upload it to your server and rename it to the name of the one he is linking to. That way, this pic will display in his auction. :D Brian

Ford, Been done. http://specialistauctions.com/ But it will never be successful, because you just don't have access to the millions of viewers that ebay has, and no-one wants to bid on a site that only appeals to enthusiasts, because there is that false impression that the good stuff is seen by everyone, and there won't be bargains. Like it or not, valid or not, that is why people buy on eBay. Someone even tried Nihonto auctions, and it failed. Market value is not what people usually want to pay, they want something starting at $9.98 that they think will be a steal. Brian

Agree completely. That is certainly a stunning sword. And I think the price was good, if you consider how much you would have to pay to commission a new one nowdays. There is very good work being done today..just ask Paul Martin. These will be the Juyo blades in the comming 400 years....so do it for your kids' kids' kids' kids! Brian

Ok...you got me intrigued From: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2814&p=20061 Please tell us more.... Brian

No, they usually only block the selling of items from a certain country. And you are usually able to list it, but when they find it, they remove it and issue a warning. 2 Warnings and they suspend your account or terminate it. I doubt they will police bidding. It is usually up to the bidder to make sure they comply with the relevant laws in my experience. Of course what customs will need as proof that it doesn't fall within the ban is another matter entirely. Brian

Nice catch Jock. I caught it too a few hours before: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2896 Sometimes you just get a feeling for these. At least someone saved some money. When we have proof of these, I am always tempted to bid $100K just to save someone else from following through on the purchase. Brian

David, You get both types. Some kogatana (the blade) are just solid steel and some are forged and folded just like sword blades. Many will show a nice hada and hamon once polished. Note that only the opposite side to the mei gets polished. You will usually see the hamon and hada if present only on the other side. Best way to tell is to shine a yellowish light on it and see if it has traces of hamon. Some will have nothing, but there is every chance yours is forged maybe. If you search the forum for "kogatana" you should pull up posts on this. Note that the handle part is the kozuka. Regards, Brian Edit: See this post

Here's another 1 day auction with a rediculous deal: http://cgi.ebay.com/Exceptional-JAPANAS ... dZViewItem If that isn't a stolen and fraudulent account (last activity '05) then I'll eat my hat (figuratively of course :D ) Beware. Brian

Yep...I agree with you. I saw the same thing when Kalifornia banned certain parts and accessories that you could own anywhere else in the world...and yet eBay banned them totally with the same excuse. I know that many members here will jump for joy if Nihonto is banned from eBay but not all of us :? Brian