raaay

sorry - it is wishful thinking this is Japanese, IMHO 150% fake

all said already -100% fake

Hi Paul if it is ebony that's fine , the reason I asked is I know someone who used to make shira saya and they used, shall we say a synthetic material for the horn mounts .

hi Paul I am afraid as said already there are a few red flags , but fingers crossed it is still Japanese , one thing to check, see if the shira-saya handle has a horn mount or ??

Steven /Stephen It is a good blade, that was submitted to the 2008 Uk - NTHK -Shinsa , papered with what looks like 100 points on the score sheet, then they scored through the 100 and changed to 70+ points , so my theory is what did they think it was before they changed the score and made there final assessment ?? and I know they do not issue point scores that high outside of Japan ! unfortunately on the day I could not stay for the question and answer sessions after the event to ask why they changed the score. I think this one will be heading to Japan for a polish .

Stephen and one more ,

Hi Stephen yes , not sure if I have posted this before, but here is the blade that came with the Ivory mounts.

As requested, some more photo's of the saya

yes , Steven , i have the saya , there 10 dragons carved all over the tuska and saya diving in and out of the clouds , in fact a small portion of the saya is in the second photo.

Stephen , yes they are, I need to check , but from memory at least 7 dragons!

Malcolm , very interesting as the whole thing is covered in dragons ,I always thought it was maybe a signature, many thanks,

I know not good karma these days to own anything ivory, but it came my way about 15+yrs ago , obviously made around the Meji period, I would suggest circa -1860/1880 !! any idea what the signature may be , supplied both ways not even sure what is the right way up.

Hi , As Stephen says they have been around for along time, I have seen quite a few over the years.

Hi Joe very nice Tanto if you do a search here for Naotsugu - Gendaito , I had it papered back in 2008 at the London shinsa , never been able to find out very much about the smith, could he be of the same school with Tsugu in his name ,

100% fake IMHO + the fittings classic Chinese repro. sorry

from the little section showing in the photo , looks like a sure thing to be a Chinese copy ,

Wow - it looks like a big improvement compered to the last shop, and has obviously invested a lot of money in the move, I hope it all works out for Tsuruta San and wish him well in his new premises , he certainly made me and a few friends very welcome in the old shop and allowed us to have good look round .

I think John has hit on the head, wet and dry sand paper hamon, unfortunately .

I concur looks !!!!!

Hi ken have you tried contacting the Irish Token sword Society , you maybe able to get some good advice or help close to you !

new photo's now confirm - a genuine fake Chinese copy . sorry, as said get your money back if possible .

obviously not a good photo, but it looks like a fresh drilled hole with the burr's still around the rim , not a good feeling about the tang , Japanese ?? better and more photographs to be certain and showing all the tang + blade. maybe well off the mark , but not convinced with the current pic's it is genuine .

hi John politely it is not a good idea to lay your sword out on a concrete or stone surface ! especially if you want to keep them scratch free .

Hi Matt at quick glance at the pic - Kanetaka for the smith, I think

sorry I have to agree with Stephen , and not a very good a fake IMHO