Ed

Evan, Love the Kuro Oribe Guinomi. Amongst others, I have several Oribe pieces, both ao-oribe and kuro-oribe. They include Mizusashi, Chawan, Chaire, Kogo, but no Guinomi. Do you have a link to this one? I would love to look at it.

If it is pottery made to look like old or rusted iron, then I would leave it as is.

I paid for the whole set upfront, will my copy of vol. 2 be sent automatically? (probably should ask Markus) If anyone has any hesitation, I can confirm that Vol. 1 is a great reference and $44 is giving it away. It is a no brainer.

Suriage. The last several characters of the mei are missing.

Very nice, look forward to seeing the finished product.

Definitely cool the way they are packaged and all. Notice what a small package that is compared to the lighter, 2" x 4", less than 1 lb. By the time you forged that into a billet, I doubt you would have enough for a tanto, maybe kogatana.

Kind of expensive though. I just bought 40lbs of wrought iron nails from the 1800's for $60.

I don't mind, but it's not up to me. I haven't heard from the lady as of this writing.

Debra, I live only about an hour from you if you would like for someone to look at it in person. You can contact me at yakiba.com@gmail.com or call 318.613.6375. Ed

I have a Kanenaga gunto in much better mounts for around the same price. Check the web site if you are looking for one. http://yakiba.com/Newlisting.htm

Gee, I am surprised, yet honored to even be mentioned in this list. At best, I would rate my own photos as, ok. My mediocre attempts pale in comparison to the works of Darcy/Ted or Richards. Thought I read where Ted is doing most of Darcy's photos these days, if true, I would definitely give him credit due, as well.

That is typical. Keep watching, it will likely be back. That is why I rarely ever buy from any of the Japanese auction sites. Really shouldn't be called auctions, there are no auction rules, no set ending times, shill bidding is rampant. If the seller doesn't like the way it is going he just ends it. Saw a discussion about Fuji2005 recently, that guy is odd. He will repeatedly list an item over and over, then eventually he will sell it for what ever the high bid is. A while back, I kept watching an item, that would go sky high, then show as sold. A week or two later it would be back. This went on for several cycles, until I wrote him and asked if he intended to sell it, even made a very fair offer. He wrote me back and stated that he couldn't accept my offer. Then the last time it came up for sale, it sold for less than my offer. So, did it actually sell, was it never his to sell like we see so often today, or did he just stop listing it. I don't know, but I do know it has never come back up, and he doesn't have to worry about me bidding on his stuff.

http://www.kimbroughfh.com/notices/Harry-Watson Harry was a good friend. I will miss his visits on the way to Tampa.

Who polished it?

Boy's day wakizashi.

I know this is a long shot, but since I have all the rabbit fans assembled in one spot, if any of you have or run across a nice but very small tsuba, in a rabbit theme, please let me know. Not looking for mediocre, it must be pretty nice to match the rest of the koshirae. The tsuba needs to measure approximately 2.5" x 2.125" Nakago Ana width(Mihaba) needs to be no less than: 3/4 (0.75”) (19mm) & no greater than: 13/16 (0.8125”)(21.63mm) X Nakago Ana Thickness at the spine (Kasane) no less than: 3/16 -(0.1875”)(4.7mm) & no greater than: 1/4 (0.25”)(6.3mm) Actual Nakago size where tsuba will sit: Mihaba 0.75" - (19mm) Kasane(spine) 3/16 -(0.1875")-4.7mm As well, a tiny F/K in a rabbit theme would be great to find. Ed

Interesting and impressive story. Congratulations!!!!!

Like this theme as well. I have a Hisamichi boys day sword which I had restored for my daughter. It was polished and a new saya was made in Japan. The theme is rabbits and grasses/floral. The menuki are long eared rabbits, F/K Mino floral and the saya depicts rabbits in the grasses. The only thing lacking is the perfect tsuba. When it came back from polish, the tsuba sent didn't come back. Fortunately, it was not match for the koshirae either. The Choshu piece Uwe posted would be ideal, if I could find one in a diminutive size. The size is the issue, it being so small. I have purchased several, I hoped would do, but they didn't match well enough. My next option is to make one. As the rabbits on the saya are looking up, I plan to make a simple iron tosho style tsuba with a moon sukashi. BTW: Love the Hoan tsuba!

Marc, Even a newbie should be able to see your tsuba is nowhere close, not even in the same country as the one Darcy posted.

Yes, no, no

Hi Steve, That is why pictures are good. Your sword is in much better condition than I envisioned from your description . Scratches, tarnish, a few spots of rust are things which should be expected on these blades. 95% or more of them have received no proper care since the war. That is over sixty years ago, so a certain amount of wear and tear is expected. Bends, large chips, cracks etc., are different. From what I see yours should bring somewhere in the $1800-$2500 range. Just my guestiment, it and $5 will get you a coffee most places. (plain coffee no fancy lattes). Most people do not regard them as qualifiers for polish as you will pay as much for polish as the blade, maybe more. I have only seen two Mantetsu which have been polished, Bruce's father's bring back and my wakizashi. Bruce had sentimental reason, and my wak was polished when I got it, and I presume it was polished only due to a Mantetsu wakizashi being soooo rare. PS: I have to eat my words from above ("The nakago looks more rusted than most, if not all I have seen".) I picked up another one of these yesterday and it looks just like yours

Yes, the date reads Showa Kanoto Miharu. It was produced and dated spring, 1941. It is dated in the Kanshi or Zodiac method. Steve, No worry, I thought you were trying to decide what to sell it for. But, regardless it is still necessary to see photos in order to formulate a value, which is what you originally asked for

Steve, I would reiterate that $3-4K while not impossible, may be a bit unrealistic. Value is related to condition with the major focus on the blade. The koshirae on yours looks to be in very nice condition, but how about the blade? You have not included any photos of the blade, aside from one distant shot and later the nakago. The nakago looks more rusted than most, if not all I have seen. You mention scars, scratches and patina to show it was used in combat, as well as no photos of the blade. To me, that indicates damage or at least that the sword is less than pristine. Before one could even consider formulating a value, photos of those areas, along with better photos of the blade need to be provided. I have had and sold several Mantetsu this year, including another to be sold soon. The best (aside from the wakizashi), was one where the blade was nearly pristine with the exception of a few surface scratches and minor tarnishing. After seeing what some of these had apparently sold for on e-bay, it was listed at $3250, but eventually sold for much less. Please note, my inquiry is not aimed at undermining your sale but related to your request for valuation. Valuation via photos is difficult at best, but impossible without photos.

Gotta love the sayagaki !

That's debatable.