Brian

Ludolf, Thanks for the tip. Because of the info, I was able to do a search, and found a copy of the revised edition for a very low £10! (worth much more, and rare as you said) I grabbed it, and it's on the way Btw..for an excellent range of Japanese language books at bargain prices...try this: http://www.dworskibooks.net/?page=shop/ ... 43633e6ece (No use trying for the Sosho book..it's gone now ) Regards, Brian

Hi Ludolf. Thanks for that excellent research. Btw..your pics did upload fine and are there. It's just because they are over the max size that they show as a clickable link instead of showing directly. Regards, Brian

I agree with both Guido and Rich. While I don't want to start making rules about what we can and can't discuss...we need to remember that the organisations are fallible and human, and will make mistakes. They are however years ahead of 99% of us in their knowledge. Sometimes questionable decisions are made, but we are lucky to have other groups to go to for a second opinion. If they differ greatly, then we have a good reason to increase our own studies and also enjoy the blade for what we see in it. These situations are never pleasant, but we can learn from them, without comming to conclusions that might be wrong or right. There does seem to be a leaning towards the NBTHK, and that is a good indicator, but there are many satisfied customers from the other groups too. But opinions from any of the groups are better than a guess, and we should still respect the work that they do. Form your own opinion, and go with the groups you trust...or go with all of them. Rod..you have a difficult situation which I don't envy. All the more reason to follow the good advice of Rich in buying papered blades in the beginning if you can. In this case, it might not have helped, but we will always discuss the odd-ones out, whereas there are many more cases where the collectors are happy. Let's take this as one of the unique cases, learn from it and move on. Regards, Brian

Ok..now I am panicking :D My upcomming May trip includes a backpack and lots of jeans and t-shirts. Now it looks like I am going to have to pack something more smart casual I do notice everyone has more hair and 20 kg less than me though :D Thanks for that Rich..nice to put faces to the names. All very distinguished and scholarly looking gentleman..how are they going to cope with this young novice I wonder? Brian

Great wok Rich, it's nice to have those pages back again. I'll add the links to the links pages this weekend. Looking forward to seeing Jim's page sback up again when you have time. Thanks for your efforts and to Evzenie Tzoumasova too. Regards, Brian

Ray, Would you mind giving it a gold wash, and selling it to me? Would go perfectly with a set of f/k that I have, which are Choshu signed :D (just kidding..but a good match in theme) I love these fittings, but have never found a really good tsuba match. Regards, Brian

Wow..just wow. That is amazing..especially for those of us with limited access to shows and swords. I felt like I was going to hyperventilate just looking at the video Thanks for giving us some insight into what happens there. I suppose this is where the dealers meet once a year to trade and gather inventory? Is the general public welcome..or is this very much a closed community gathering where you have to know someone? Regards, Brian

I agree with Grey. Looks too well done to be a fake. I would take a shot at genuine, and messed with a bit. If I look at those 2 smaller ana (holes) in the nakago, they give me the impression that they were added later...maybe to mount non-traditional slab sided grips? I would think the larger one is the original one. Still..the shape and file marks look ok. I think it is worth looking into, as it is probably genuine (in my humble opinion) Can't say if it is just a machine made blade or slightly older though. What did the fittings look like, or did you get it this way? I would be interested in knowing what handle they used. Regards, Brian

Hi (name?) Glad to see you haven't parted with any money as yet. Did you have suspicions before you found this post? I would say that if you choose to walk away, you have every right to, but let eBay know you are going to back out, and the reasons. They need to block this guy if it isn't legit. Tell them you will use (your own choice of) escrow service to send payment to, and when you receive the sword the money will be cleared. The seller will give themselves away with the reply. By all means warn the second in line and possibly the third..as they will get the second chance offer. Hope the deal is legit...but if not, then it is a good thing that some buyers are being wary and not falling easily. Regards, Brian

Curran, This is the best one I have found online so far: http://www.geocities.com/kazenaga23/crests.htm Doesn't have everything of course, but an amazing Samurai reference page. They run out of bandwidth frequently, but it will be back a few hours later. Regards, Brian

1 - I don't. I just become content with my bankrupsy 2 - Study as much as I can given the limitations of my locality 3 - Buy what I like, not what others tell me I should like. Always ask my standard set of questions, and never assume anything unless it is confirmed by the seller. 4 - Ignore the above 5 - Get my one or 2 items that I think have potential polished and evaluated properly. Brian

It's not fine by me. Not by a long shot. I could write a few pages about why, but this isn't the time or place. I agree with Paul that what is done is done, and they can only seek to reduce the impact, and what they are doing is the best action right now. They have done very well to get some recognition and preserve the collecting of Nihonto, and I think that is the main thing. The main problem comes in the next round of legislation years from now. Having begun the process...the next time they will narrow the loopholes and ban them totally. You are all familiar with the first ban on hanguns in the UK. Then later came a ban on co2 "brockock" air pistols. And now failing a decrease in crime, they are busy banning replica handguns. Next will be toys. This is the trend, and I only use this as an example of what WILL eventually happen sooner or later. The same thing will happen in Victoria Australia eventually. It will only take one or 2 incidents of genuine swords being misused, and it will happen. As long as they leave some items out of the legislation, the govt's of the world will have something to blame when crime does not cease. They then keep narrowing the laws until they eventually blame some other impliment, and shift their focus. Paul and others..this does not change the work you guys are doing, and without an entire population putting their foot down and saying "enough is enough" there is little other action you can take. Getting the concesions it looks like you will get is an important step, and we are all behind you on this. I hope my expressing my views does not detract from your tireless work on this subject, and note that they are my personal opinions and not the views of the NMB. If they endanger the current situation regarding the legislation, then I will gladly remove the post. Regards, Brian

Strange guy to deal with...and almost schizophrenic. Somedays you get a decent answer, and others you get a tirade. He hates being discussed on forums...but as long as it is factual..I see no problem. Btw..I have bought a naginata and a yoroi doshi from him, and am very happy with both. But he flipped on another when I asked him if i could use Paypal. I sometimes get the feeling there are more than one person we are dealing with there His stuff does seem genuine, and I haven't seen him selling fatally flawed items. I do not believe he is a crook...but some items do have flaws or are altered in some way making them less desirable. Prices will jump around a lot. Today $900...tomorrow edited to $500...then up to $1200 etc etc. Just like the stockmarket :D As I said...odd guy, but not a conman IMHO. Look for the flaw that isn't too apparent, and sometimes it isn't too bad. Other times maybe more serious..but I haven't seen hagire or anything like that. Brian

Jeremy, I'm glad to hear that. Ricecracker is a reputable company, and aside from a few small queries, there have been very positive feedbacks about them from people who have dealt with them here. It's good to know they stand by their products they sell, and are willing to back up whatever they sell. Thanks for the update, and please keep us updated on your project. Regards, Brian

Hmm...IF it is legit...then they did. But why would a seller use totally different styles of listing like that? Unless he used the descriptions (and style, layout and grammar) of the original listings when he bought them..then I don't think there are going to be very happy bidders in a few days. Just a guess, and I do hope I am wrong. Brian

That last one looks like it had a date and/or a kao removed? The mei also looks like it has been partially removed, although some of it is still there. Am I seeing things? Brian

Philip, Looks dodgy to me from the very limited photos. That mei is signed very badly, and the nakago seems to be brand new with not a trace of ageing or yasurime (filemarks) Hope I am wrong. Brian

This one reminds me very closely of a listing by one of our regular Japanese sellers: http://cgi.ebay.com/Japanese-Sword-Nori ... dZViewItem A bit too uncanny. I also notice the last feedback was in 2002, and was for buying only. Maybe he bought it from the above mentioned seller and now wants to sell it? Hmm. Just thought I would throw it out there in case anyone was watching it. Brian

Here's one of the same pattern. http://cgi.ebay.com/Japanese-Naval-Swor ... dZViewItem So this muct be a recognised variation. I have always heard they are the marine landing forces too...wish there was confirmation somewhere. Anyone able to ask Ohmura san? Brian

Yep...I'm pretty sure it is a surrender tag. I don't suppose they need much explanation. Always nice to get with a WW2 sword. Brian

Jeremy, That doesn't look like they furnished you with much. Is it at least split and inlet for the nakago? If not, then all you have basically is a block of wood. Not really much of a step towards a tsuka, as the wood can be fairly cheap..it is the work that costs. You don't say where you are. I am sure there are tsukashi in your region that could make and finish a decent tsuka from scratch for a reasonable price. You would have to specify it is for tameshigiri so that they can fit accordingly. I think for a tsuka you don't necessarily need to send it to Japan. There are guys in the USA and Europe that will do a good job. Btw..yes..I am sure no decent job can be done without the blade in hand. No-one will touch it without having the blade. Try the forum here for excellent info: http://www.swordforumbugei.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=2 Keith Larman is also the guy to ask, and is on this forum or the Bugei one above. Otherwise let us know where you are, and we can suggest a guy who can make a new one. I don't think you will lose much by not using your blank. Is that the correct wood I wonder? Brian

Scott, This has been discussed before, and I think the over simplified answer is "no" Although there are traits and styles and so many variations...when you come down to it, an antique habaki gives no indication of who made the blade or the time period. The very early blades might have had different habaki, but in general, Koto and later swords could have any type of habaki. Brian

Rich, Wow...great article and excellent practial example. The results are staggering. The difference in scanners here could easily mean a few $100 difference in a sale. It also shows how a digital photo would often need quite a bit of tweaking before it can be posted, unless you are 100% familiar with your camera and its settings. That second scan really does the tsuba justice..beautiful patina. I hadn't considered how different scanners would give different results. I know the software than comes with them usually needs quite a bit of tweaking to optimise for swords and tsuba. You also need to consider if your subject is reflective or not. Very seldom are the default settings perfect for every subject. And those of you like me with some colour blindness have additional disadvantages, and often need outside help when calibrating colours. I'm still a Photoshop fan, but as Rich pointed out, there are many cheaper or free substitutes. Paintshop Pro is prefered by my girlfriend, and has some great features, and costs much less than someother programs. Older versions of Photoshop can be found much cheaper than the latest version, and are usually quite capable. Brian

Stephen, I agree with you that this doesn't look like a typical Chinese fake sword to me. I think the lack of replies usually indicates everyone out there is just as confused as you, and have nothing constructive to add. Sometimes no conclusion can be drawn from the images, and we all wait to see if anyone has the answer. You did not say if the handle is a Japanese style tsuka, or something else. This would indicate to me if it was a copy of Nihonto, or if it is a native weapon of some other country. Might very well be some tribal sword from Bali, Indonesia, Phillipines or other Eastern country. Looks like it was made for jungle work or as a daily tool for carry. No real way to find out unless there are some edged weapons experts out there who know the style. I would suggest posting this on SFI (see links above) as there is discussion about various countrie's weaponry. I don't think it is Japanese, but that doesn't make it a fake necessarily. Could be though..no easy answer. Regards, Brian

Russell, If it was easy, everyone would be doing it, and everyone would make money The first thing to remember is there are no $75 genuine swords out there on the internet. If a sword is under $200, and has no bids..then it is fake. You need to look at a few genuine swords. Don't have to be the best swords out there..just some original ones, and the fakes will begin to stand out clearly. Go to a museum, and post your location to see if there are any members near you. Read the links pages above too. Pay particular attention to the kissaki (tip) and the nakago (tang) as this will give them away 80% of the time. Lots of time, lots of patience. Mix with a bit of luck, and you will fine. Don't give up, and feel free to ask for opinions as you are doing. Regards, Brian