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

I am on a few forums that have discussed Vista. 2 Things seem to be the most common warnings: 1 - Do NOT ever upgrade from XP to Vista without a full format and install. Just upgrading will lead to problems. Either a full, clean install, or nothing. 2 - You should be running at LEAST 1 gig RAM..preferably 2. Vista is slower than XP unless you have a really good and new machine with a lot of RAM. Hmm..there is also a commonly mentioned third warning. Do NOT go to Vista yet..wait for a long while for them to sort out the bugs As for me..this machine runs perfectly on Windows 98...so I don't have a need to even go to XP yet. I am a bit behind the times :D Brian PS - for those worried about us going astray..I'll let this one slide for now as it concerns most of us...but will continue to keep a lookout for those off topics as usual

Henry, The site was (is) at http://www.jp-sword.com/ I am sure there is still a lot of updating in the works, as most of it is still as it was when Jinsoo left. Hopefully this wasn't just a passing greeting, and he will be back soon to keep us updated. Regards, Brian

KM, Sewing machine oil is usually a light machine oil that is fairly pure, and is supposed to be ok for swords. There are way too many gun oils out there..some with additives and some without. I think each gun oil would have to be judged on its own merits, and some could possibly harm a blade. Brian

Rich, We all know I know little about tsuba, but I am trying to learn I really like this tsuba. To me the lower right seems typically kyo-sukashi, but that parasol with the more 3 dimensional carving is very striking and non-typical to me. That single goose (upper right?) also seems typically kyo-sukashi (and akasaka?) and not shoami. It certainly doesn't appear totally kyo-sukashi, so there has to be some other influence in there. I don't know much about kyo-shoami, so won't take a guess at the influence. It's a pity it is mumei. Very nice though. Ah well..may all be nonsense that I typed, but I find if you don't stick your neck out, you don't learn as much :D Regards, Brian

Tom, With respect mate...not only is it a fake..but it is a really bad fake. Just about everything on it is bad. If you compare it with the swords on the "Fake Swords" link above, it screams copy. I would point out the bad aspects of it, but since there are no good ones...let's just say it isn't even close. Brian