shingen

Happy new year to you and all members here on NMB!!

I would definitely go for shirasaya, would be such a shame if the blade would get damaged after the polish due to the old saya.

Hello Jimmy, what a small world we live in. I was on the phone with Ron last week as he made shirasaya for my katana and he told me about you. Very nice work!

Thanks very much Chris.

I would like to know what the front and back of this envelope say: Thanks!

As mentioned I would post some more photo's, these I have made myself today: All info is welcome. Would anyone know what the Kanji means on the Kozuka?

Thank you for the information Grey, appreciate it, learning everyday. The sword belongs to a good friend of mine (they are his photo's) and I was just wondering if I could find some more info to learn a bit. Like you already mentioned there were many Sukesada so I kind of thought already it would not be possible to tie it to a certain Sukesada smith, was looking already for a while but couldn't find much. Well there is info enough but it being Nijimei does not make it easier, especially when you are a beginner like me. Should of realized that it would also be signed with the smith's personal name if it was made by a more famous Sukesada smith. First thing I will do is get some better photo's and post them here, these I understand aren't contributing to much. Will ask my friend if I can make some close ups to get some characteristics of the blade.

I was wondering if it is possible to determine which Sukesada made the sword below: Am I to understand correctly that Nijimei Sukesada could mean that the these are not of "good" quality? What would the value of a Wakizashi like this be? I know it is a western thing but the theme of the koshirae is lobster and comes back in the kozuka, tsuba and fuchi / kashira. The blade is flaweless. I am sorry for the photo's they are the only ones I have, this weekend I will make some better ones myself. Thanks!

That's pretty much it! Thanks.

Could anyone help me reading this Mei? Thanks!

Welcome Heidar!

Was wondering if other members are visiting Ciney this month: http://www.cineyexpo.be/agenda/evenement.php?id=194 For me it will be a valuable opportunity to have a look at swords.

The youtube links Simon posted are down, for those who are interested in the National Geographic series: The Samurai Sword: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCDh4Wi0cJk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-cjUE8i ... re=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6WuFWPc ... re=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0cUIjE0 ... re=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKImXAkV ... re=related

I am a beginner to but on ebay if the seller is located in China, well most of the time you don't even have to look at the sword as it is crap. But I to need to lean (a lot)

Thank you very much Morita-san!

I would like to know what the Mei reads on the gunto for sale in this topic: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=11280 The Mei: I have my John Slough book in front of me but can't read Kanji (working on it). Thanks!

As we say in Holland (bad translation): The wonders have not yet left the this world. Interesting stories indeed! Thanks for sharing them. IT must have been a interesting sight in the trenches in the some running around with a Wakizashi and a ARP Warden running around with a Kabuto I have a few ARP items in my WWII collection, perhaps I should add a Wakizashi to remember this interesting story.

Thanks for the photo's Peter, I agree with Martin. Leave this one for what it is and save up for a good one.

Peter, it could be me but I can't see your photo's. I get redirected to the index site of photobucket.

I to would like to have a look.

Hello Tobias, I have a similar project running. For my Katana Koshirae I am currently looking for Menuki, Fuchi / Kashira and perhaps a Tsuba, I have one but am not sure if I will use it yet or just display it. I think it comes down to personal taste in the end. I would like to have my Koshirae with one theme if possible but sometimes it is either not possible or very expensive. Does of course not always have to be the case. I would like to think that everything I buy is as it used to be hundreds of years ago, but even tough I am new I have already learned that keeping Koshirae together isn't everybody's highest priority. Some sellers/dealers will take Koshirae apart if they get more money for the separate parts, even if it has been together for hundreds of years. It is a debate in itself. I like my Koshirae to be in one theme as I would like my Koshirae to look like they belong together, a en-suite set. This also goes for material the parts are made from eg. shakudo. But this is just my personal opinion and taste. To get the Koshirae in one theme it may take quite a bit of time, but then again we should not be in a hurry to piece something together that will be displayed and enjoyed for a long time hopefully. So I would say take your time and piece a nice Koshirae set together, either with the same theme or matching parts in color and so on. Just my 2 cents :D

Like Grey I to really like the Tsuba! Sorry I can't be to much of a help on the sword.

Interesting topic! One of the first things I learned when I came to this forum was: When something looks to good to be true it most of the time is. For 4000 dollars it is quite a gamble indeed, I really have the wrong job The sword looked nice as well as the koshirae I guess it is a good thing you were able to return it as it wasn't what you expected it to be.

Thanks for sharing Malcolm!

Hello Tim, as a fellow newbie I know it is somewhat hard to control your urge to buy a sword but it is a must to study first. But you will enjoy learning about this magnificent hobby, it is well worth it. Keep up the good work, I mean study :D