LDR

Does anyone have an clues as the age/school etc of this koshirae set. Its quite short so presume its for a wakizashi. Its a very nice looking piece with flower patterned Kashira and Fuchi. The tsuba seems to be water and flowers, and the menki are also flowers. The saya is black with orange flecks. Anyway, all thoughts on this would be much appreciated. Thanks Lewis

Not sure if people here are interested but i am auctioning a lot of 9 wallis and wallis and Bonhams catalogues: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0162666423 Take alook and bid! Thanks lewis

I am thinking of buying some armour from Japan (i live in the UK). Now this armour (kabuto in fact), is expensive as you can imagine. Now the last thing i want is to pay more money for import tax etc when the helmet arrives. Now i know you can declare the value as less than it is, but with something this expensive i dont really want to risk that. I have read somewhere that if declared as antique over 100 years, you dont pay any tax. But will i get stung for anything else? How can i ensure i dont have to pay more money once it gets here? Hope you can help! Thanks LDR

Last pics, Thanks

MOre pics

Here are some pictures of the blade. Not the best pictures, but i will take some scans later. If the signature is fake, when is this likely to have been added? Is the blade still 17th century and the fake signature added when it was made? Or is the blade more likely modern, and the signature added say in the 1900s? What sort of value you would put on the blade, with real signature and with fake signature? Thanks, Lewis

Thanks Ludolf. I will post some pictures of the whole blade tomorrow, perhaps people could give their opinion on the whole piece, and whether its likely to be 17th century or not, and whether to keep it or not. I hope you can help as i only have a 3 day inspection period. Thanks! Lewis

John, thank you again for the information. You have been very helpful. Is there any tell tale signs to say whether this signature is fake or not? Lewis

Thanks guys this is great! Very interesting. Is the whole signature one name? Seems like a long name! Also can i ask what SAD is? Is there any way to tell whether it was father or son who made it? Would anyone like to see more pictures of the blade itself? Thanks again, lewis

Thanks again John, very helpful. Do you know anything about this maker? What time period he made swords from etc? Thanks Lewis

John, Thanks for the quick reply, and thank you for flipping the picture. I didnt realise the signature went the other way! Can you explain what the translation you have give is, also which signs mean what? Thanks Lewis

Hi, i did attach one. Not sure where its gone. I will try again. Think it was too big, this should now work. Thanks Lewis

Hello to everyone, I am collector to Japanese swords, and so have very limited knowledge...though i am trying to learn! I recently picked up a 60cm sword (so presume its a Wakizashi). I was told its a 17th century blade, and has a signature. I have 3 day inspection. Can anyone give their opinions on the signature? Who is it? Is it real etc? Thank you and i look forward to your comments. Lewis