markturner

Thank you, interesting information.....I have been away for around 4 years. it is tempting to invest in another blade, as i have some new liquidity, which is nice. But I think I need to perhaps invest some time and effort first in re aquainting myself with the hobby.....

Good afternoon everyone, it has been a while since I was active and meantime my collection has been enjoyed at a distance, but a bit more free time means I hope to rekindle my interest. As you do, I was doing some "window shopping" in Aoi art's website and noticed some very beautiful swords for sale there at surprisingly low prices... there was a lovely Juyo blade in koshirae, for around 3 million yen, which, while not cheap, at around £20K english pounds, seemed almost attainable.......when I consider what I have paid for my blades in the past ( in the range of £4 - 6,000 the step up does not seem so large to own a Juyo blade..... In the intervening years of my inactivity, what has the market done and what does this mean perhaps for the value of my existing collection? Finally, I noticed some ebay sellers say they cannot ship to the UK, is this the case now? It is not mentioned on Aoi art site at all....if so, what does that mean for collectors here and how would you get around this? Kind regards, mark

Wow, its been a while since i checked out Darcy's site....some simply beautiful swords and amazing photography. Thank you Darcy for putting up such a great study resource, as well as the chance to drool over the sort of swords we can only dream of.. although..several were actually within my price bracket...very tempting, but it would mean disposing of some of my existing, which may be complicated ......hmmmmm. Thanks Mark

Hi Jean, the koshirae only contain tsunagi, all the blades are in shirasaya. I have them out pretty often, so am able to keep an eye on them, and I know some people frowned on the idea, but I also use Renaissance wax on the blades for protection, instead of choji oil, which I found a bit messy. Once applied it is completely invisible and is easily removed with simple alcohol if required. Once again thanks for the compliments and if anyone does want something similar made, let me know. The turnaround time wont be quick though, as this is a hobby rather than a career! I can make smaller stuff like display stands pretty quickly though. best regards, Mark

Thank you so much for all your kind words! I run my own construction company, and am a carpenter joiner by trade, but since I now spend all my time behind a desk, instead of site, I decided a few years ago, to teach myself furniture making, as I absolutely love making stuff and using my tools, and really missed doing it. The output is a bit slow, but I really love it, its very therapeutic and satisfying making stuff yourself and I just love working with wood. As you say, the grain and character of the wood in the piece is gorgeous. My favourite wood is Rosewood however, and my next project is this desk, which I am going to copy, but without the compartments on top; http://www.darestudio.co.uk/products/ed ... ting-desk/ Thanks again for the compliments! Regards, Mark

Hi guys, been somewhat busy with work stuff of late, but have managed to finally finish the display cabinet I have been making for the last 6 months....It fits into the wall storage shelves I made at the same time. Its made of American black walnut, with a maple back panel and cherry racks. The Koshirae go in the display section, the blades and shirasaya underneath in the smaller flap down cupboard. Hope you enjoy looking at the fruits of my labour! regards, Mark

Hi Grev, I recently brought a small Wakizashi ( This one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/-/251045946560? ... AQ:US:1123 ) from Hitendo and was very pleased, especially when I saw the sword in the flesh. It has lots to study, in good condition, papered, silver Habaki and all for £600..... I think he has a good selection of low priced swords and while many are very ordinary, some are great value. The main thing is, he is not charging silly money, which many of the e-bay dealers do. Certainly a good place to start if you don't want to spend $5,000 upwards on a sword if you are starting out in this hobby. The guys here will always tell you to buy the best you can afford, and this is advice I have tried to follow. Indeed this sword was a departure for me, I only brought it to go in a nice Koshirae I had, so when it turned out to be a nice blade as well, I was very pleased. So, no I don't think you made a mistake, and if you hang out here a while, you will pick up all sorts of really useful help and tips.. Regards Mark

Hi plenty of food for thought there, thanks. I am not overly worried about the money aspect, for me the enjoyment of finding and assembling the mounts and then time spent enjoying looking at it is much more value than possible resale at some stage in the future. The civilian gunto mounts are certainly nicer than the war ones, but I think I am coming to the conclusion that I will assemble a traditional koshirae for the blade. After all, it will always be able to be displayed separately and even sold separately if that need ever arose. Quality components should also hold their value as individual pieces after all. I guess I would only "lose" the cost of specialist trades like wrapping the Tsuka and getting the saya made.. Thanks for the input everyone, regards, Mark

Thanks, that's a good site. But..........I am not sure I am very keen on the mounts looking at them in detail. All a bit too orange and brown and somehow a bit cheap looking.....I will have to give this some thought meanwhile. What are your opinions? Do you think a traditional koshirae would be better? Would be interested in peoples opinions and reasoning. Regards, Mark

Hi, I recently acquired a very nice Hokke Saburo Nobufusa, almost identical to this sword here: http://www.samuraisword.com/nihonto_c/S ... /index.htm It's come in Shirasaya, but I am considering maybe getting it mounted in the future. As it's a Gendaito, made approx 1940, perhaps more traditional mounts would not be appropriate, so was thinking maybe to use Gunto style mounts. Where is the best place to look for these? I cant recall seeing any specialists anywhere on the net and while I have seen plenty of swords in mounts for sale, never Koshirae or individual components. Can you point me in the right direction for any specialist webstes etc or on line resources? Thank you, Mark

I can only see the first 10 or so swords in the register.........Do you think they have simply not transferred everything over yet? Cheers, Mark

Hi Dimitri, just seen this...Nice piece ! Love the shape, ( whatever it is..!!) Did you buy from Don? Sorry I cant be of help as the the question raised..! Best, Mark

Thanks for all your input everyone, I will be writing up my little appraisal for tomorrow and taking along to the meeting of the To-ken society tomorrow, to see what they all think of it. Like I said, I am very pleased with it, as I think for the money, it's a lovely little sword, what also adds to the attraction for me, is there are several clear kiri-komi on the blade, which points to an interesting past and perhaps also confirms Paul's suggestion of being damaged in a fight as a reason for it being suriage. Thanks again, Mark

OK, all useful stuff, thanks. I saw the mei on the examples and they looked original and not as if they had been folded and/or moved to be retained, hence my assumption. Could someone hazard a guess as to perhaps the original length of the sword and why , if the lower, off centre nakago-ana is the original, why so little was removed from the sword? if was made as a wakizashi originally, seems strange to alter it just a small amount. And the overall proportions of the sword are smaller than a cut down katana would be, so I don't think it was that much bigger originally. Any other insights gratefully received, thanks, Mark

hi Jean, I thought they were all ubu as they all had the Mei, is my reasoning correct? regards, Mark