Brian

Barry, Great photos, nice work Just a quick glance while I am at work on a Monday morning, but looks like Gassan Ayasugi hada to me? Brian

I have been provided with the dealer's details and the emails showing acknowledgement of the debt. Because this is between 2 dealers who are trying to work out the details, are not part of the forum, and there has been no legal opinion yet, I am not going to publicise the dealer in question here. I believe this was also brought up on another forum. However I do urge the dealers to sort this out for the benefit of the community. If there is a lack of funds to sort out the matter, then the dealer should offer other stock Nihonto as surety until the matter is dealt with. Otherwise if there is really no other option, then legal action should be taken. Out of state should not pose too much problem. Be careful of consignment and any item transfer without payment. It is simply not a good idea unless you are willing to take the risk or know the dealer personally. Brian

Hi Joey, Welcome to the world of Nihonto. If you look at the links page above the forum, you will find most of the informational pages there, and browsing through them should provide you with many months worth of reading. One of the best pages to start out with is Rich Stein's Japanese Sword Index, and pay special notes to the books page, with excellent recommendations. Feel free to ask any questions you might have, but be aware that many of them will be answered in the pages above. Regards, Brian

If the blade is a star stamped Gendaito, then I am confident the blade is 100% original, and probably the koshirae too. Unusual yes, but during the war there could have been any number of expedient measures taken if there was a shortage of materials. The ito looks original, and maybe just a fanciful choice at the time. (Maybe it was heavily laquered later due to a very humid environment where he was serving?) I think the best would be to maybe contact Ohmura san in Japan, as he is probably the expert on Gunto. Link can be found on the links page. Once again it shows there is no hard and fast rule when it comes to wartime mountings. Brian

Whether or not your email shows publicly depends on what settings you specify in your profile. Btw...I remembered reading a good article on doing oshigata recently, but took me a while to remember where. It is in the book MODERN Japanese SWORDSMITHS 1868 – 1945, An Oshigata Book, by John Slough around page 205. Very decent article. Regards, Brian

Doug, There is a current thread running currently here: http://www.militaria.co.za/nihontomessa ... php?t=2194 Regards, Brian

Rémy, I am sure you didn't offend anyone, it is an interesting article and times were different back then. You merely quoted the article, and offence can't be taken if none was meant No worries about it, the intentions were good. Regards, Brian

Ah..the power of the forum and getting the word out to many people this fast I assume the commission cheque is in the mail? :lol: Those who got a good deal because of the original posting...another reason to buy those raffle tickets when they become available Brian

I won't edit the use of "Jap" here since it is a direct quote of the title of the article, but just noting that nowdays some find it slightly offensive and derogatory to abbreviate "Japanese" like this. In 1946 when this was written, it might have been acceptable, but for our Japanese friends and others, I'll just note that it is frowned upon here. In this case, the article uses it, and I'll allow it, but it isn't policy Interesting article though..showing that even back then there was some idea that there were some good swords worthy of preservation. Nice find Rémy. Brian

John, I'm with you there If you look at the positive iron left in between the inlays, then I see the classic geese profile we see so often. If this was all sukashi, and someone later decided to fill the spaces with inlays, it might look like this. Might explain the differen sizes too...at different heights. No use debating it too much I guess..it's not like the original artist can post and say "so and so is right..that is what I was portraying :D " Brian

It is authentic, no dounts about that. Not to my taste, but no reason to believe it is anything else. Habaki have no firm rules, and you will find all kinds of variants such as this one, depending on the styles and tastes of the day. Brian

Jacques, There is also an Ogasawara Nagamune (Musashi) signing exactly this way from the 1830's. See NAG351 as mentioned above. With the mounts as is, without another ana, I suspect this date would fit better with this blade, but can't be certain. Brian

Henry, Quite a horror story. The moral of the story is do not try and polish your swords yourself. Ever. It is not something encouraged, and can only lead to disaster. Glad this one is preserved for future generations. Brian

Franco, I think that's because the sign belongs outside our front door...the minute you step outside you are exposing yourself to sharks in every aspect of daily life :D Take those private collectors who go to estate sales and say to the little old lady "Ah...just an old junk sword from the war...look at all that rust on the tang, I'll give you $100 to take it off your hands" LOL. Buyer beware..in every aspect of our daily lives. Brian

No need to set a firm policy here. There are many people that have posted a msg here saying "if anyone has had any dealings with XXXX then please drop me a pm or email" You are welcome to do that anytime. Or you can post that you have had some disturbing dealings with Mr XXX and would like to know what other's opinions are. I would just caution about direct accusations unless you have concrete facts, and if you do, they are welcome here as long as they are written to inform and explain, and not directly slander. Lots of ways to approach things like this without causing a major blowout. Use common sense and discression where appropriate, and all should be fine. Regards, Brian

Henry, That is a very difficult question to answer for obvious reasons. This forum has never steered clear of controversy and takes the view that if there is fraud or underhanded dealings going on, they need to be exposed. However there is always a fine line between facts and libel. I think that for an incident to be reported, it would have to be researched and proven beyond doubt. Then the accuser would have to provide his name and some info about himself, as accusations from anonymous people are probably a recipe for disaster. Some forums do not tolerate the negative side of dealings, however it is an important part of collecting. In this case, you would probably have to have decent proof that the sword is the same one, and the dealer who sold it without payment would also have to have his side personally noted. Sometimes it is worth posting a message asking if anyone has dealt with XYZ dealer before, and how reputable they are in the reader's opinion. Sometimes people can give enough of a reply to allow us to steer clear. The problem comes in when someone accuses someone of something, and then there are a flood of posts from people saying that love that dealer, he is a great guy....etc etc. What then? I guess it comes down to a case-by-case basis. If you would like to pm me the details of the dealers, I can see if he has a reputation for this, and see what we can post publicly. Libel threats are not fun, and we have been through them before. But for it to be libel, it has to be NOT true, which is why the facts have to be presented beyond any doubt. I'd be interested in any comments other users here may have on a situation like this. Brian

Those appear to be very much pressed brass mounts, and not laquerwork. Very typical of the Meiji period mounts. Both appear to be genuine Japanese swords, probably traditionally made. The other one in the pics looks to have lots of dried grease and some pitting. Kind of typical flashy antique touristy export market stuff if that makes sense. Made to export to the growing Western market that we flooding into Japan. The blade quality varies considerably, but the one you show does appear to be not junk. Brian

Roland, In cases like this, the hamon runs along the edge of the blade. If the edge is ground back through too much polishing over time, the hamon line goes off the edge of the blade. This is a fatal flaw, and no amount of polishing can bring it back, since the hamon does not exist in that area anymore..it is off the edge. It can be retempered, but that is a flaw in itself. If you are talking about a hamon that is just not very visible anymore through incorrect cleaning, it can indeed be professionally polished to show again, or repeated uchiko over time can start to show it again. But that means it must still be there in the first place, and just obscured. Hope this helps. Brian

Hi (I assume it is Tom? I am definitely not calling you jedimaster :D ) Not much I can say about this one, so instead I'll give it a bump for the more knowlegeable members. Usually these kind of aoi mon brass mounts are associated with Meiji period touristy pieces, but this blade looks like it might be a reasonable one. Occasionally you find older blades remounted like this during the Meiji period. I have a Nobuyoshi tanto in matching mounts that is definitely older. Afraid I can't tell more than this, so hopefully someone will come to the rescue. Nice looking blade though. Brian Edit to add: If you take a look at the swordsmith database linked above the forum, there are a few Nagamune signing this way from Musashi province. One of these will be your guy. Looks Shinshinto, and the most likely one is the Tenpo era guy (1830-1843) which would almost tie in with the mounts. Likely the one marked NAG351, he signed Ogasawara uji Nagamune saku

A agree on the points you show, but none of these indicates tiredness. In English convention, tired reflects core steel showing through once the blade has been polished down too much. Yes, over polishing can lead to kakedashi (hamon running off) but usually tiredness (in the way we usually use it) indicates shingane showing through. There isn't any on this blade, so although the hamon runs off, I am not sure if we would call this tired in the conventional sense. http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/shingane.html Some interesting points there...maybe even contradicting some of the idea we usually have. They also use a phrase "Muku" but I am unsure what they mean by that. Brian

Thanks Mike and Henry. Mike..that translation will no doubt be very helpful to someone, and Henry..as long as the porcelain isn't from the bathroom, I am sure it will be lovely :D Thanks both. Tickets will go on sale at the end of October, so we still have some time to arrange everything. Regards, Brian

Hawkan, Congrats on seeking advice here before making a costly mistake. That is 100% Chinese fake. No doubt about it. Check out the link above the forum for a page about fakes, and it should tell you some of the things to look out for. Regards, Brian Edit to add: Wow...3 replies in 2 minutes. :D

Haven't dealt with him before, and looks like no-one here has either. The tassel sounds correct, but maybe ask if he gives a money back guarantee on originality? These tassels have indeed been going for high prices. Occasionally someone picks up a sword with one fitted for a bargain. Good luck with it, and don't forget to sign your posts with a first name at least. Thanks. Brian

If anyone knows how to get a copy of this on cd, dvd, vhs etc..please let me know. I don't think I have seen that one, and it will be forever before we get it here. Is this a BBC, History channel or Discovery channel offering? Brian

Ted, Keith and Rich, Thanks for the new prizes. The response has been amazing..I hope you forum guys buying tickets are as willing as these prizegivers have been Those 2 books are great, and I am jealous over whoever wins the videos from Rich..lol. (I guess I can't enter the raffle myself..hahaha) Nice tsuba from Jean and Milt too. I am very lucky to have members like we do have here on the NMB. Brian