ehk

Just to add a easier readable format to the topic

Richard, If needed contact me and I will help re-sizing.

A honest thank you from my side to all that contribute and make this forum a very valuable one with great knowledge, honest, friendly and helpful people. It might be harsh when you arrive here as a newbie and get told the truth but if you really want to learn true Nihonto,Tsuba, Kodogu etc. you will understand why this is and don't have to question it. Thank you. A little tip from beginner to beginner: accept your mistakes, learn from them and move on. Use the superb free knowledge here and enjoy this magnificant Art. Go for quality but before you even know what that is STUDY =) Just a little something I have learned here.

Thank you Clive and all who contributed, a lot of work went into this as I can see.

If all is correct then yes, the paper confirms the Mei.

Luc, I was present at the Ducth To-Ken meeting last weekend where Mr. Duindam mentioned some of the pieces that will be displayed and I have to say I really look forward visitting the exhibition. I definately will buy the catalogue as soon as it is available.

Welcome to the forum both Paul and Doc.

Spend money on quality, or when you are a beginner (like me) on books. Romantic collecting will not show you quality, I to have had to learn this the hard way here :D I suppose it is a little like this: Wanting this: But buying this: Just to get a visual idea.

And a BIG thanks to NMB and it's members for not giving up on us newcomers and guiding us!

Started to feel like a Bat, so for the topics convenience:

I have had the same experience as Brian, it works but you have to click in the centre to get the site to work.

Chip, I am new to and have been there as well. I have to say that they are right and study is the best way. If you can return the blade spent the money on books if not, keep it as a learned lesson and continue studying. Edit: Realizing it was bought on auction returning is not a real option. Just try to learn as much as possible from it, buy books and study, al lot of info can be also found online. Many (I to am no exception) have learned the hard way, it dissapoints one in the beginning, but eventually Nihonto is worth to really get to know.

After-all they copy almost everything as mentioned

Just to add the working link, that Lorenzo mentioned, to this topic http://www.nihontomessageboard.com/articles/Size%20doesnt%20matter.pdf I to find it easier to handle Tanto and Wakizashi when I look at swords, that being said I do like Katana and Tachi to but when it comes to handling shorter is easier and not less beautiful or whatsoever

Welcome to the forum Brian!

Isidro, Could post a few more photo's of the blade?

Thanks for the tip Luc, I am planning a visit in November.

Pleasure meeting you Kunitaro, I indeed am from the Netherlands. I do not think we have met before.

Welcome to the forum Kunitaro.

Mariusz convinced me to also share my other Tsuba so here is one more, this one is signed. I have not yet asked for help on the makers name so I do not know it's maker yet. All comments are welcome.

Thank you all for your help and information, really interesting and appreciated. Trying to learn as much as possible. @David, it is the only interesting Tsuba from my small Tsuba collection. Thank you for posting the Tsuba from your collection, always nice to see and learn from other collectors pieces.

I would like to ask to help identifying the following Tsuba. The fukurin has been damaged and repaired, but in all the Tsuba seems to be in good shape. I would really appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.

Thank you all for contributing. The sword does seem to come with 2 saya indeed, the original Gunto saya and a wooden saya. The reason the Tsuka looks so good is that it has been re-done recently. I think the seller of this sword did not manage to sell it through ebay so he offered it to my good friend. He won't buy the sword but we were both interested in learning more about it. I did not know 1200 dollars was the normal price for a piece like this, it not being that special. Thanks!

Last two photo's:

I am helping a good friend of mine researching a blade that was offered to him. I have not much knowledge at all on Gunto's but perhaps I can learn something from this. What else can be said about this sword being a Nobumitsu Gunto in type 3 mounts? I found it hard to believe that the price is 1200 dollars but then again as I mentioned before I have no real knowledge on Gunto blades with WWII history. It is stamped but I have no photo of that.