Moley

Search for the movie... "The Twilight Samurai" . Based on a true story.. Worth a watch on this subject.

LOVING IT SO FAR Guys.. PLEASE carry on. I want to learn. Can anyone post example photos side by side so we can compare and contrast? i.e. an elaborate work that is quite inexpensive with a simple one that is costly. (Must point out that I am not bitching about prices in this thread, I realise that they cannot be made today without breaking the bank, and that they are all superb value considering age and craftsmanship I am just interested in how prices compared way back then for different types and why prices vary so much today even one tsuba is so elaborate and another seems basic.)

The cost of tsuba varies greatly, from a couple of hundreds to thousands. Types vary enormously and everyone has a particular favourite. Sometimes l am amazed that some types that seem very very simple iron works to me command such high prices. Some to my eye even look crudely made and yet are quite expensive. My question is this. Does the price of tsuba today reflect the price that it cost to buy when it was made, or has rarity and collectors tastes dictated that an otherwise cheap tsuba now costs a lot lot more?

Just "Caught me a Fish". Thanks Grev.

BUMP - For a great guy.... EMAIL SENT GREV.

Thanks to Grev (Kissakai) for this beauty. I will be the envy of the Iaido Club in the new year. I have bought many items from Grev in the past and he is a scholar and a gentleman.

PM sent.

Oooohhh

Me too - What Stephen said....

Hi everybody, Saw this sword in the for sale section by Matt and l am very intrigued.l will admit that l never knew that the Japanese army had these mountings. Please can someone educate me further . I would be ever so grateful. Thank youall. Gwyn. “Excellent condition Army kyu-gunto sword with canvas combat cover. Combat covers are not often seen on kya-gunto mounts swords. The combat cover is in EXCELLENT condition. The blade is an arsenal blade with bohi, and acid-etched yakiba. This is a combat sword. The backstrap has a 3-5-3 kiri mon. A fine piece, in exceptional condition. “

Hi Guy's, Some friends are asking if we can translate this for them. Unfortunately the mother in law is no longer living with us as she has health issues. Can any of you be so kind as to help us out? regards Gwyn

Hi Guys, Three questions please. 1. What is this and how was it caused? 2. Is this considered a flaw? If so how serious? 3. It’s also in an awful acid etch. Any way of reducing the impact of an acid etch without repolishing? regards Gwyn

Hi everybody, I have an Mino - Yahazu Midare Katana that has a very strange bump near the Mune maki. It dosn’t quite touch the habaki. Even though not exactly centered, it does have a ridge line. (or remnants of one) Any idea as to what it is?

So , how to display ? Blade on top or Tsunangi on top ? Blade koshirae fractionally longer.

Duhhh, Silly me. There was two sets of Habaki as well. A double habaki that only goes with the quality koshirae and a solid silver one that only goes with the Iai fittings. (I thought I'd put the silver one with the quality fittings.) Duhh

Thanks Dale, will do.

Hi Friends, in a bit of a pickle here and I don't know what to do. Perhaps a few words of advice and some sympathy from friends will help? To cut a long story short, I bought a very nice Koto (Nanbokucho) blade with two sets of Koshirae. The previous owner was a Japanese iaidoka. (Before I get roasted for this - I PERSONALLY DO NOT USE ANY ANTIQUE BLADES / NIHONTO or SHINKEN for Iaido). This is a study blade only. Anyway - I bought it with and an option for an "extra set of fittings that the Japanese master used for Iaido" so I went for BOTH fittings. It came housed in the everyday Iaido Koshirae with the good quality Koshirae (minus a Tsuba) housed in a Tsunangi. I was very pleased when I found a matching Tsuba for the good quality Koshirae and displayed them as a Daisho with the Good Fittings in Tsunangi on Top and the blade in the Iaido Fittings underneath. The display was pride of place for years. Until today. I suddenly got the urge to display the blade in the good quality fittings. ALAS... although the Saya fits, the Tsuka was NEVER made for that blade. As you see, I can no longer display them together, they are not meant to be and I am not happy. So now I moved another sword into the display. BUT What to do with the good quality fittings in the tsunangi? I don't know anything about their quality, what they are or what they would be worth. WHAT WOULD YOU DO ? Advice and sympathy please. Gwyn North Wales

Sorry, please explain. All I know is that Rin Tin Tin was a famous dog in a 1950's western series.

Sorry - I would have said it was a Fake.

Ahhh - Naka Sensei One of my teachers. What a Character and a lovely man.

Me also Barry, I got my Shodan in 1981 and like you felt that I needed a Nihonto. A friend of my brother got me this little beauty. Then I like you started on the "LONG JOURNEY TO NIHONTO". Made the mistake then of going down the Chinato path, But luchily over time I was educated and got rid of them all and now only have a few decent Nihonto and Iaito. To date I am now a Godan in Shotokan and a Dan Grade in MJER and still training every week and practising at 66yrs old. What was your grade in ?

https://www.barringtons-swords.com/hanwei-paul-chen-samurai-swords-natural-wood-double-sword-stand-oh2104.html