When I bought it i thought it was cast but in hand i have my doubts. I got it with a classic armorers tsuba with the amida file work that also has hints of the same finish flaws. This one is better then it looks the finish not as glaringly wrong as pictured and attributed to my poor picture taking skills. I haven't cleaned it enough to get a good feel for the finish on the plate, but the silver flecks are anoying. I will still clean it just cause it is something i like to do. I was thinking of fire damage as well, i have one that was firedamaged but the finish on the wole plate is consistantly flat and grey so that is why i questined this. The plate as a solid ring unlike the flat sound a cast plate has.
Thanks
Dirk