Guido

Milt, you failed to post the dimensions to prove not only that your's is better than his, but also to proudly announce "mine is bigger than yours".

Well, Brian, if you would have had a look at *my* article on the zodiac system , you'd know by now that the year in question is 1941.

That's exactly how it works. It makes no sense to have a Shirasaya and/or Habaki done before that since it can (and probably will) result in a loose fit for both - especially if the Machi have to be redone.

Define "experts" . Yes, I think with blade in hand some of the attendees will be able to give you a quite educated guess.

Submitted, yes, but it will fail because of it. The NBTHK will just fail it, the NTHK will pink-slip it, but they may give you an indication about its maker. In any case not worth the money.

Without going into the details - which are the subject of an article I'm writing on for some time now - I'd like to point out that neither the Kaihō Kenjaku nor the Kokon Kaji Bikō gives any monetary values of the tested swords or smiths. I've seen up close the first (at the NBTHK) and own the latter (which contains 7 volumes). Also, one couldn't simply walk into a jail to test one's sword; at that time Suemono Tameshi was highly regulated. I think a few misconceptions stem from a chapter in Nagayama Kokan's "The Connoisseur's Book Of Japanese Swords": The Kaihō Kenjaku was published in 1797 (not 1815) by Tsuge Heisuke Masayoshi, based on information given by Yamada Asaemon Yoshimutsu and a few other testers; Yamada Asaemon Yoshitoshi was only 16 years old at that time. "A limited number" is just an assumption, and depends anyhow on how one defines it. The Kokon Kaji Bikō gives rankings for 1,111 smiths, and lists many more, which I personally wouldn't call a "limited number." There are also quite a few "big names" of the Kotō period included; in other words: famous smiths were tested, but maybe not famous heirlooms such as Meibutsu. There's even a report about a Masamune tested, but it failed the Wazamono ranking. No one would argue that this failure resulted in discount prices for Masamune blades . And finally: *Ryō-Wazamono* is kind of a "modern" reading, the correct reading is *Yoki-Wazamono*.

@ Remy: I'm not sure why you chose to read a personal attack into my post - I clearly said that I used Brian's quote to make a general point. @ Milt: Have you actually ever set foot into one of the "Ginza Galleries" you obviously despise so much? I never sat in a rock garden there, but have been offered tea quite often. And always the opportunity to look at some fine works of art, which never really hurts. @ Steve: So, in your opinion there is no such thing as art; art therefore can't be studied, it's like religion, you either believe in it or not. I'm not trying to mock you, I'm seriously interested in your concept.

It's my favorite book on Machibori, and worth every Yen (38,000 last time I looked). Mr. Tsuruta of Aoi Art has quite a few in stock, but I'm not sure if he ships them overseas (the postage will be quite expensive). Of course one could buy on eBay two Tsuba and a Fuchigashira set for the same amount. :lol:

... is exactly what's happening here lately. All those posts about pieces that were bought for a song on eBay in the delusional hope that it might be a national treasure are bordering on the bizarre. Please no more I don't know what I bought but hope against all odds that you guys tell me it's a great piece threads! Sorry for highjacking this thread, but Brian gave me the perfect line. Plus, I'm starting to loose control of my evil twin again, and we don't want that to happen, do we?

Here's a scan of the original 1830 edition - are you really going to argue with the guy who wrote *the* book on Wazamono???

Aren't you getting a little ahead of yourself there? The vote of the "experts" is still out. But even *if* they are one and the same, you can't simply ignore the Kokon Kaji Bikô's rating: no rating is no rating -period!

It's not a translation error, the Japanese version also ranks him as Ôwazamono. I think the confusion has to do with the (still not conlusively solved) discussion whether or not he should be considered the Nidai Kanesada who indeed was ranked Ôwazamono. But still, Yamada Asaemon Yoshimutsu doesn't list Terukane as Wazamono, and "he's the man!" ... :D

Terukane isn't listed among the Wazamono, but that just may mean his swords were never testedHi, unless my sleepy eyes betray me, looking up Terukane in AFU's Fujishiro translations he is rated Jo Jo saku as well as O-wazamono.That's odd, no other book - and especially not the original Kokon Kaji Bikō 古今鍛冶備考 - lists him as Wazamono (Ô or otherwise).

Terukane isn't listed among the Wazamono, but that just may mean his swords were never tested. You know that you are *inviting* people to write "true, sent it to me"?

Maybe if he slips a couple of bucks under Santa's glass of milk and cookies - it's usually "you get what you pay for"!

It's a sword made by Chen Chaopo ("Paul Chen") made for Nôshû Iaidô (some characters aren't written properly, however). In other words: a modern sword made in China (but not a fake per se).

Grey, FWIW: the "Wahpuro Pasokon Kanji Jiten" doesn't list that character, so I guess it can't be generated using MS IME. It's a combination of 匈 (kyō) and 月 (getsu); I *guess* the "modern" writing is 胸 (mune), but I don't have any evidence to support my theory.

I was aware of that article. However, Mr. Sasaki questioning the transparancy - and the very system - of papers of the NBTHK, and alleging that swords were submitted under false identities, is still no proof of any wrongdoings. Message boards can be held liable for defamatory statements members make. It's as simple as that. We can discuss whether or not the NBTHK is qualified to issue papers, or what value those papers have, but should stay away from presenting rumors as facts, or making any other statements that could lead to legal consequences.

Unless we're talking about local branches of the NBTHK being intimidated by Yakuza and the likes of them into issuing questionable papers some decades ago, no, I don't know about it. Could you please provide links / scans of the newspaper articles you mentioned? Thank you for clarifying that it's just a rumor. I have a good idea about where it comes from, and those who spread rumors (*any* rumors) should be ashamed of themselves. Please be more careful in the future to distinguish between rumors and facts.

Please bring forward proof of it. This is not a matter of "opinion", but a *very* serious accusation you're making. I don't take possible slander and libel on this board lightly.

This thread is becoming more and more interesting. French Samurai, whaddayanow? But since we're discussing polishing techniques: do you guys care to see a picture of my group reenacting the Kamasutra (I'm under the table to the left, and I'm definately not going to discuss in public what *we* consider a "kill")?

Why do you think it's cast?My great-uncle used to own a foundry, and occasionally I worked there during summer breaks. This Tsuba shows, IMO, all the marks (pun intedended) of a cast piece (including the little air bubbles that develop if not done properly). Either that, or someone went crazy on it with a wire brush and kind of re-patinated it afterwards. However, in that case the copper color of unpatinated Shakudô should show, not the silverish material it does now.

Gentlemen, unless the dealer in question wants to add anything to this thread (please PM me), I consider it closed. Non-related topics should be discussed in seperate threads.

Not a test, but a question you should answer yourself (not neccessarily in public): "Do my fingers sometimes type faster than my brain works?" And the bonus question: "Is it a wise choice to call the host of this forum an *old woman*, and always making a point of being "censored", considering the warnings I already got?" If you answer the first with "yes", and the second with "no", your membership here might hang on at the skin of your teeth for a little longer. (Please note that I'm not adding a smiley.)