Dr Fox

You hum it Brian, and we'll all sing a long with you. Denis.

Hey Ron I should have bought this look a Hoho bird, now I know I will have to get one for my sword. Raven, that is very nice like it lots. Cheers Denis.

Thanks Ron I was miles out would never have got it. As for you Pete and you Christian, wrong bird! The one you want is the Ho ho HO and then you get the joke. Denis.

Hi all Am I seeing feathers here, at a wild guess is it a cockerel?, or perhaps not even a bird! Cheers Denis.

Howard If you haven't already? go to Barry,s post 'Visit to the DTI', open the photos he took, there are 75, check out No61. Cheers Denis.

Henk-Jen/Jean I was about to scream this post was being robbed/diverted/stolen, but then the discussion points you both were making came through. HJ. The theory you champion, is why I started this post, I saw a blade which I felt has had a better pedigree, than had been appreciated by the people who had the care and custody of it. Should it be junked without at least someone knowing what it had been! To call it an artefact suits me at this time, because to me it will never be a sword again! Never the less from its noble beginnings, it is now only the link that keeps all the parts of its koshirae together. Jean. I hope I understand what you are saying, simply put, there are items which in life represent what they are, deviate from that and they are no longer recognisable as original. These items will never be artefacts, because then, they can never represent in truth, the art form that they were intended to portray. A rose that has faded is no longer a rose, but at an earlier time it was a Rose. Denis

Thanks Jean Yes it is evident from an examination of the specific area, I see your point. I had spotted the bright area on this sword, and put it down to the habaki point I made earlier.The photos were not over specific, but should there be a call I would oblige with further efforts. Cheers Denis.

Jean The hamachi has been deepened, the signs are there, I thought it was to close fit the new habaki, put on prior its gunto dressings. Denis.

The tachi mei also threw me, I only thought it might be a smith that always signed tachi mei! Jean the last ana has been punched halfway through from both sides, leaving a ridge of steel in the centre of the nakago, a mekugi of the punch size will not pass through.Can be seen in 05091. Denis.

Hi all Today someone I knew turned up with a Gunto sword. He asked me for help to identify what he had got. The blade had suffered from rusting, and I think now its ruined. I am on here because I believe the blade is nihonto. The Tsuka carries a mon badge, and has an 8 piece seppa and seppa die set, all the metal parts have matching numbers. Back to the blade: Nagasa 66cms Nakago 14-5 Nakagojiri Ha agari Kurijiri Tachi mei Thinking this might merit a few posts, I attach photos. Thanks Denis.

Chris What he did, he did! You can not alter that. But turn it around when you say he could do it again, he is more likely to seek you out if he does find something else, another $50 touch yes please. You could have done yourself a favour. Denis.

Having spent the last 11 years instructing Sea Cadets, I have been n contact with a lot of exhibition knot displays. This hilt binding did not sit right, in this context, but I had seen this pattern before. I submit that a navy man did not do this, or its even wartime work, this I believe has been done by a weaver, the style here is comparative with the ‘one over, one under’ teaching style of basketwork. The top braiding is not a turks head knot, but the top weave of basket rim finish. I offer these illustrations for comment. Denis.

Well thank you gentlemen all, that didn't hurt too much, I, and I am sure others have gained from that exchange. I am quite comfortable with the sword, its attribution and as its a not for sale item, I shall file away all your opinions under 'satisfied enquiry' Denis.

Chris you have advised me before on this very matter and have done so again thanks. Darcy thanks also for your info. When I purchased my sword from a high-end dealer, my knowledge on papers were nothing like I have now, so let me pose this! The sword was offered with paper, wow now here‘s my certificate, cant go wrong. Its provenance a Tobubetsu Kicho dated 1972. Happy? Of course, even being advised by Clive Sinclair, that there is a suggestion later papers should be sought. Still no hint of any doubts as to this paper, until I saw on here posts on this very subject. I raised the question, and was given good advice! enjoy what you have. I don't have a problem with that, but knowing what I know now should I have; a. Avoided this buy because of the paper offered with it. b. Be unhappy with the seller for passing on a suspicious Kanteisho,. c. Or could he and I insist that this paper is 100% and leave it to others to prove it wrong. (Ethics here) d. Would a mumei blade at £5,000.00 suffer financially due to paper, or would it be buyer’s resistance on a resale. (Back to a.) Denis.

Submitting a sword to shinsa, that has the older paper! Could the blade be entered without giving sight of the old paper? Would that be an advantage or a disadvantage? Would the panel if it had the paper, decide its job was only to approve or disapprove the attribution?. Or conversely without previous information treat the blade to a more comprehensive examination?. Denis.

Ed viewtopic.php?f=1&t=14227 Denis.

Hi ED This came up with me, I have a blade papered 1972 green paper, advised to have it submitted, but asking on here, the advice I got and accepted, was that perhaps there would be little to gain for the expense occurred. That posting I will find and indicate here. Denis.

KM Take another look at 'Item Specifics' it describes a Katana??? Denis.

Has it 'lost' metal? Or are we seeing impact from both sides thus reducing width?? Denis

Tony Be absolutely honest with me! The blade description you have given in your opening post, do you understand exactly, what is being said in respect of this sword? If you are only repeating what you have read, then you have no chance of validating these claims. Be wise; listen to what is being said. Denis. PS. Please don't say you have your eye on a sword 'real or fake' It does not give the impression you are serious.

Come on Guys A trip across the street could pay dividends here! Look at it, a sword by Mesa Muni's apprentice 1250AD, 14 years before the signatory was born, now if thats not rare, then what is? Denis.

Thanks Brian I have bookmarked the link for future use. But i am still impressed at Simon being so quick on the ball. gratitude to all who posted replies. Denis.

Thank you James an education indeed. Regards Denis.

Well gentlemen, that is another eye opener, I did not see the wood for the trees. Simon where was the clue that got you on this so quick? I have seen the other site where bidding has started, and there is no comparison in the prices. If I were a serious shopper for this item, I could have been taken for a fool in this instance. Never too old to learn. With my thanks Denis.

Simon Thanks for your prompt reply, but puzzled at the info you provided! As I don't have a translator, your link could not help. Can you, or anyone please give me a better insight into your helpful comments. Regards Denis.