paul griff

Hello Peter, Even though it is worn ( possibly by the tassel ? )the casting detail is very good as is the colour and patina taken on by a sarute so I would say it’s a good one….Most recent copies have a different bronze or brass alloy that just doesn’t take on the same patina plus another giveaway is he rough finish to the locating ears and inside of the sarute.. Regards, Paul..

This one was picked up off the battlefield and brought back to the U.K…….I like it for what it is…a part of history.. Regards, Paul.

Very interesting articles , photographs and subsequent contributions…thank’s for starting it off John.. Regards, Paul.

Hello George, Thank you….Nice blades from Emura….The photo’s really don’t do the Kunisada any justice and I should add I would be prepared to either deliver or meet someone part way seeing that our postal system is a sham… Best Regards, Paul..

Hello Andrew, Be patient..! It can take months and sometimes years to find people in this game..You have to ask around because not everyone knows everyone …Probably easier here in the U.K because it’s such a small place without vast distances to visit dealers,shows and events….These places plus collecting forums are where you build up your network of contacts…What changed my view was when a late friend bought a wakizashi that had been used as a poker for a fireplace…I should have taken a photo but couldn’t believe it how it was repaired….. Regards, Paul.

Hello Andrew, Normally I’m doom and gloom when it comes to “bad” swords but there was a chap in the U.K who would have repaired that no problem…sadly he retired ! ….. You would loose the way the hamon goes into the kissaki but the sword would be saved…Must be someone out there who can save it….? Regards, Paul..

Kunisada

Kunisada.

A very interesting sword that you don’t come across very often and makes a stunning display or could be fantastic in koshirae…Sword is signed Izumi Kami Fujiwara Kunisada ( first generation ) with a one body cutting test ( saidan-mei ) carried out by Wakishita Otoshi Hiraji. Kunisada received the title of Izumi-no-kami in the ninth year of Genna ( 1623 ) …Cutting edge is 27ins sori 0.59 in’s…I got the sword as part of a deal and to be honest I am only interested in Gunto and for that reason would prefer to swop this sword for a high end shin or possibly Kai Gunto….As per the rules I have to put a price so it’s a bargain at £3500 U.K pounds… Regards, Paul..

Excellent information in these posts..Thank you.. Paul.

Really nice sword and if it was in the U.K I wouldn’t have hesitated but I really hate paying import duties to our corrupt and inept government.. Regards, Paul..

Thank you Brandon and yes I remember meeting you Brendan, hope all is well..There were quite a few nice items at that particular show and not so crowded on early entry…The dealer who was selling it just wasn’t particularly interested in Japanese swords said he bought them off a chap who didn’t want them anymore and paid a lot more for them…My only mistake was not buying the others ! Regards, Paul..

Hello Volker, on the scabbard throat has the number ,nothing on the ashi….Some photos of the blade for you Carl.. Regards, Paul.

Thank’s Bruce..

Kanefusa

Kanefusa

Kanefusa

Kanefusa lightweight saya..

Hello, No mon on the tsuka Volker and yes the habaki is silver foil….Trystan , photo’s of the lightweight saya and fittings attached and for comparison the lightweight saya on a 23rd Generation Kanefusa…. Paul.

Photo