RobertM

Yes very cool. I'm not sure if its destructive at a atomic level, but no material is removed in order to carry out the test.

Hi all, purchased a new tsuba. I'm told its signed Choshu Ju Masafusa. Does anyone have any details on this guy. Also, luck has it i have access to a nifty machine that can identify the metals makeup. Tried it out on the remaining gold flecks, see attached pic. The tsuba itself unsurprisingly came up as iron with trace amounts of of other metals. http://s1215.photobucket.com/albums/cc510/retrortm/ thanks

Stunning Ford! Would love to see another of your documentaries.

Hi all, Ive imported a few swords from the US to the UK without any issues. Normally have to stump up a little duty, however i was always under the impression that antiques were exempt? Theres no way to release your item without paying and if you dispute its likely going to take ages to resolve. Apart from that its all ok. Rob M

Hi Roy, i came across your website last year and was curious about the habaki, thought it would make an interesting discussion here, hope you don't mind?

I dont know about other people but i would be happy to pay £100 per blade for shinsa. thanks Rob M

Thanks guys, yes rotating the pic would have helped, but my photo editing software appears to be written by a madman who has decided to hide the option somewhere thanks Rob M

Hi, could someone be kind enough to translate what's written on this Hozon paper for my tsuba? thanks Rob M

Thanks for the response, its a real tough one to make out, I agree that its a possibility its Fuyusada. This may be a stupid question but I don't have many reference books but where there many Fuyusada's in the late Koto period?

Hi, the only one ive have had experiance with is Chris James at Medals and Militaria, however it seems his website is infected with a virus on the swords tab, also when i last went to his shop in Warwickshire he didnt have a huge range, but i could be wrong. To be honest, its just as easy to purchase from the US, however you loose out on the face to face contact and the knowlege that goes with it. Rob M

Thanks guys, ive tried a bit of photoshopping to try and make it a bit clearer Rob M

Hi all, So I picked up this Wak from Moses's site, nice large, stout blade, he believes the blade is Koto/Shinto singed Tomosada Saku but not 100% any ideas. The mei is very feint so quite hard to get a good pic of. thanks Rob M

Hi, will post some more pics tomorrow. The other fittings on the pole appear to be copper with foil on top (possibly silver?) I suspect the last owner has done a bit of DIY with the bohi. Its a shame because the damage is done. There was also another naginata for sale, unsigned with a 8 foot bamboo pole obviously from the same owner.

Why i cant get is why the small groves are so wonkey, later additional by a complete moron? Also attached pic of full pole.

Hi, unfortunately no original sheath The pole is quite nice and has the mons all along it, same quite a lot of the lacquer has peeled in places.

So long story short, i noticed this in a local auction, put in a small bid and won. I took a punt and lost... Naginata has what looks like original 6-7 foot pole with pealing laqure. The signature on the tang has been cleaned, but the rest of the tang left alone. Can anyone translate? Blade is pitted, no sign of hamon. Groves appear to be filled with red paint not lacqure, and the small groves are even a little wonkey, oh dear. Note to self dont blind bid on local auctions

Thanks guys, 2011 it is then..seems a long way away.

Hi all, I purchased this mumei tanto a few years ago, i really like it and was wondering if it was worth getting it papered at the next UK Shina (sorry to hear the sad news that it wont be this year) Are there any benefits to papering a mumei blade? Sorry for the amature question. Apart from the fact that the blade is probably late shinshinto i dont really know much more about it. thanks Robert M

I agree with Stephen, i would be more than happy to donate a bit to make this happen. Rob M

Hi all, does anyone have any details on a artist who singed Bishu ju masayoshi thanks

thanks guys Robert M

Would a small increase in the submition fees cover the missing 90 slots? just a thought... robert M

Hi all, I recieved this tsuba as a present, however i suspect it was purchased from a known seller who has been the topic of some conversation on this messageboard. My main concern with the tsuba is on the inside of the rim and carvings, running down the middle is a faint line. Does this mean the tsuba has been cast? Forgive my amateur question as its the first tsuba ive ever held in my hand. Sorry for the poor photo's. Description given was Owari copper tsuba, late edo period. Many thanks Rob M Edit Admin - pics resized from huge to just big

I would consider this Robert M

Thanks guys, excellent info!