Ed

Thanks guys. I don't get it, has me scratching my head in wonderment. I thought at that price it would fly out of here. It's a nice little sword, signed, dated, easily papered, cheap. ??????????

**** UPDATE *** Ok, had a few inquiries, but it seems everyone wants to pay it off over time. I really would like to sell it outright and soon. I hate e-bay so for a limited time, I am willing to entertain best offers for a one time payment for this sword.

I think everyone has been quite kind in their replies. Personally, I can't fathom why anyone would want it, though I respect your right to like it. I do strongly disagree with your comment that it is "surprisingly healthy" and "not damaged". It is clearly suffered the effects of oxidation, ie; rust. and shows evidence of this, especially along the area marked in green. The kozuka ana marked in blue has clearly been bent/distorted by some means, as Pete stated above. Also, the small piece circled in red is quite obviously bent. My guess is the tsuba, primarily the mimi(rim) suffered extensive corrosion. The worst of it being on the right side, and subsequently the rim was removed. Did you purchase this on e-bay ?? Sending this tsuba to Japan would be a waste of shipping expenses IMHO. I don't enjoy coming across negative, and have tried to tone down my comments in order to avoid offending anyones delicate sensibilities, but pussy footing around about the quality of this tsuba is not doing you any favors.

Hi all, For a limited time I would like to offer this Wakizashi by Aizu Kunisada at the reduced price of $1650 with free shipping within CONUS. It is a nice blade, signed and dated. It would make a nice blade for a beginner, someone on a budget or the collector of Aizu works. While not papered, it has a letter from the former head of the NBTHK Mr. Tanabe who has authenticated the mei and states it is an important study piece. http://yakiba.com/Wak_Kunisada.htm

I suspected as much, hence the smilie at the end of my statement. But good to know none the less :-) Steve, Thanks for your thoughts and the book recommendation. I have not seen this book but may buy a copy for a little more insight. Quite honestly I have never taken the time nor had much desire to study pottery at length. For me, it is a fun thing I enjoy without the desire to become too knowledgable. If it catches my eye and makes me smile, that is sufficient. Thanks again, Ed

Hi Steve, Again, just an amateur collector of pottery and the lack of any documentation provided, it is difficult for me to date these pieces with any certainty. It is my understanding that Oribe pottery had it's beginning around 1600 and received it's name from the great tea master Furuta Oribe (1544-1615). Having had the opportunity for in hand inspection of some very fine pieces both here and Japan, I tend to think these to be old, in fact I tend to refer to these as Ko-Oribe, but it is merely a gut feeling if you will. These pieces came from an old and fine collection in Japan. They are without a doubt not new or modern, and were sold as Ko-Oribe, but to make a statement like Momoyama without some tangible evidence, provenance or verification is not something I would consider myself qualified to do. If you care to shed some light, share your thoughts on them, I am all ears. Here are a few photos of Oribe pieces.

Great idea for a new section ! Just read through it and was impressed with the number of beautiful pieces and how many people here seem to appreciate the beauty of pottery. Though I confess, I could have lived forever without the reference to the relationship of the sex organ/koudai :-) While I am not very educated on makers, schools, etc., I have been acquiring various pieces of Japanese pottery for some time. Much like Chris stated, I too simply acquire pieces which appeal to me. First introduced by Dean Hartley years ago, I slowly but surely developed a love for Japanese Pottery. Something about it's simple elegance (wabi-sabi) appealed to me. Seemingly, I am drawn to Oribe, Kuro-Oribe and Shigaraki primarily, though I have pieces of Shino, Karatsu, Seto, etc. Within the Oribe and Kuro-Oribe groupings I have been fortunate to acquire not only Chawan, but Mizusashi, Chaire, Kogo and one Tokkuri. Still looking for Ko-Oribe tokkuri in traditional or black. Chris, nice guinomi. I also picked #1 as the non Japanese one, before reading the answer. While a gorgeous cup, it appears a little "outside the box" in its shape. Again, lovely but just enough non-traditional in it's style to give it away. I really like guinomi and tokkuri but only have 10-12 total combined. I prefer the older ones but do have a couple of newer ones received as gifts. Since so many like pieces done in black, here is a Kuro Karatsu Chawan, by Nakazato XIII of the famous Nakazato Family. His father was designated as a Living National Treasure in 1976. He is the thirteenth generation of unbroken lineage dating back to the 17th century. The first generation "Nakazato Matashichi" died 1663.

Count me in !!

That is terrible news. Veli was a really nice guy whom I had the pleasure of corresponding with on numerous occasions. He will be missed. My condolences go out to his family and friends.

Sad news indeed. My condolences to his family and friends.

It is with great sorrow and regret that I inform the Sword community of the passing of one of my dearest friends and mentors, Dr. T.C. Ford. I received word today that Dr. Ford passed peacefully from this life around 11:30 am, he was 94. I will miss sitting with him listening to his stories of his many years of collecting and his great knowledge of swords, especially his love of Ko-Bizen. Rest in peace my friend.

I tried to evaluate the mei but the photos were too small to see clearly. It is signed in a known signature for this smith, but there are so many fakes of this school that utmost care must be taken when attempting to make a reasonable call. Same with the horimono, photos are inadequate. Horimono were prolific on Yasutsugu blades due to the close ties they had with the Kinai school of metal artists. Most horimono you see on legitimate Yasutsugu blades are very good ones.

I received this today: Through January 8, you can get 25% off all print books and calendars with code FLASHY15.

You should be proud. It is very nice.

I just received a copy of this as a Christmas gift from Dr. Ford. However, I haven't seen any reference here to this new publication by the JSS/US. Nice redo of "Me no Me" No. 413, discussing the Higo Schools through the views of Ito Mitsuru and Ito Sanpei, both scholars and collectors of Higo tosogu. Funded by one of our own, Mike Vinehout and translated by none other than our friend Markus Sesko. Big thanks to everyone involved. Ed

Paul, I remember the first time he told me that story. He said he had set up the meeting to return the sword, but thought it was to be a simple meet and greet. He had no idea it was going to be on national TV. Said he was shocked when he arrived and realized what a production they had made of it. He kept that scroll all of those years and was very proud of it. He had me get it out about a year or so prior to his passing. We looked at it, as he related the story again. He paused for a long time, deep in thought, then looked at me and said, "It seems like yesterday".

I couldn't agree more, both Darcy and Ted are absolutely great guys. I have done business with both and could not ask for anyone easier to work with. Both are willing to share their vast knowledge and go out of their way for others. Started using the customs invoice with photos and description along with proper tariff codes long ago thanks to Darcy. Still getting good tips frpom them, like in this thread. Never thought to add additional set inside just in case or writing the tracking # directly on the box. I do generally write the address directly on the box with a permanent marker, in the event the label is damaged or destroyed.

Unless your goal is to amass an interesting collection of junk, I would pass on it. If you are even considering the purchase of this thing (sorry, I can't call it a tsuba), then the advise you will get repeatedly here is that you need to forget buying for now and start studying. Otherwise you will become a victim of the adage, "A fool and his money are soon parted".

Darcy, For what it is worth, I think I would focus on the overall aesthetic. Whether you choose black or gold is personal preference and either would be nice. Your black and gold mitokorimono would go nicely with the black theme but not so much with the gold (Guido's photo). Although, I too feel that it may be a bit too much bling and visually overshadow the blade. If it was my choice, I'm with Guido, I would go with the gold. A simple, yet elegant koshirae to compliment, not overshadow such an amazing Tanto. Note your original photo, the one on Fred's site and the one Eric posted, all elegant but not overstated. Even Fred's with the kozuka, it matches well and does not detract from the overall aesthetic, simple elegance. And if you just can't decide, send it to me and I will alleviate your need to worry about it. Always willing to help a friend.

Instigator!

I won't comment on whether or not they may be the same kozuka. With the variation in lighting, etc., I don't think you will ever get total agreement one way or the other. Frankly, I don't see the point. It is at best an average piece which may or may not have passed through his hands. What I can tell you is that most of the stuff on that site was sold long ago. I knew Dean as well or better than anyone for some twenty five years, and was the only person aside from himself to have a key to his vault as well as unlimited access. I do not remember this kozuka being in his collection within the last twenty five years. You must keep in mind that he was dealing in this stuff before most of us were alive. He was a Marine Corp. aviator during WWII and was in Japan as soon as the war was over. Which is where he began his study of Nihonto under the premier scholars of the day, such as Dr. Honma and Dr. Sato. Many, many swords and fittings passed through his hands over a span of fifty years. Dean kept meticulous records, all of which I now own. It is unbelievable how many individual items of Japanese art went through his hands, swords, fittings, armor, pottery, paintings, guns, coins, etc., etc., literally thousands.

WOW !! Had me drooling into the keyboard.

Ken, no problem. I only took a look at it due to Brian's post. I would never buy from them. It is very, very rare for me to even look at flea-bay, much less buy something Nihonto related. Even with non Nihonto related stuff if I happen to see something I want on flea-bay, I always go check for it on Amazon. Generally Amazon has it and has it cheaper.

Brian, Read your post so I thought I would take a look. I don't know their deal, but it appears they pull stuff from Yahoo Japan(at least some of it), then try to sell it on flea-bay for heavily inflated prices. Just as an example I picked one sword Sukesada from their e-bay listing, went to yahooJP and found it there also for sale. They are asking $6300 on e-bay, yet on Yahoojp is is currently under $500 (49000Y), though it does still have 4 days to go and will most likely go up considerably, but I doubt that much. If you want to see it: E-bay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Authentic-Japanese-SAMURAI-SWORD-Katana-signed-Sukesada-w-NBTHK-Hozon-/191226710897?pt=Asian_Antiques&hash=item2c86000b71 Yahoojp: http://page2.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b165548577

John's photos don't do justice for the activity seen in this sword(no offense). It is gorgeous in hand. Saw Andy's in Tampa as well. If I remember it could use a polish, but they would make a sweet pair. Andy looked at this one of John's (mine at the time), and I remember him commenting on how text book perfect it was and that it was a no questions asked Juyo if not for it being suriage.