Dr Fox

Guys Spotted this and quite taken with this as a display stand. Anyone seen this item before? Is it as good as it looks? post costs are a trifle heavy, but thats because the item itself would be a good weight, to support the two swords it is designed for. Does it justify its price? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281193686623? ... 1438.l2649 regards Denis.

Although junk, is this blade interesting enough to ask for more pictures, and ones that show specific areas? As a teaching aid Id like to think its a yes. Denis.

Stephen Life will seem boring after this, what a geography lesson! But alls well that ends well. Denis.

Have we sought support from the various To-Ken societies? Clive could advise us here! Any reference libraries that, hold these types of books for studies. Also with only 150 sets, this is a limited edition run. Denis.

Jussi Check me if I am wrong here! 48 votes on poll. 46 to buy. Those 46 are on promise for 80 sets. Thus leaving 70 to sell? Denis

Stephen What are the books? 'Around the world in eighty days'! Looks like they are playing tennis with them, hope its resolved soon, for the sake of your sanity. Denis.

Providing a list of anything in today’s world, especially indicating respectability and integrity, is that the publishers of any such list, would have to accept responsibility for its content. Who on this board, or any other member’s organisation, would regard that as a safe undertaking? This is not at all the same as lists of say ‘suppliers’, where availability is indicated without guarantees of satisfaction being given. Denis.

Must agree with KM. I use Facebook for messages, and also video conferences via webcam. On a dedicated page there is nothing to be frightened of, use the site as a communicator and it works. Like anything in this life that is abused, it loses its purpose. But as a message display for this Board, if it goes down in future it would have a place. Denis.

Brian No further trouble for a couple of days from the UK! Denis.

Brian Been locked out and in all day from the UK. But as this is not a common occurrence we can live with it, don't apologise there is no need, you do brilliant with the bandwidth you have available. Cheers Denis

This is the time for members, who have input into this specialised subject, to now assist with Brians requests, this will ease the work load for him if done constructively, but please 'no bickering'! been there done that. Denis.

The significance of the sword carried in WW2 by the Japanese is well documented. It should also be noted that the combat appearance of officers leading troops, is of a man armed only with a sword and a side arm. It is perhaps not silly to expect, that when he got close enough, that the sword would be up to doing service. But not all officers felt sword and pistol was enough, many devised slings to 'back carry' the sword and then favoured a rifle and bayonet. Ancestral blades could well have been considered superior to the issue item, and could also have been regard as a lucky talisman. Which was better? This must come down to that stress situation, where one survives and the other didn't, so unless a direct test comparison can be done who knows? Denis.

See Nihonto/Polishers marks/June 2012. Denis

I don't believe that this is some thing that is new, and ‘happening now’. It is said it would be counter productive due to costs, to fake to the highest standards of the real thing, if true then these efforts will always be spotted by those who know their game. Now this forum has very real advice on first sword purchase, any sword! Good advice but 90% ignored, so where is the market? It’s with the uninitiated who believe they have found a bargain, they will have paid above the production costs so job done for the seller. Running alongside the above is the Replica market; the number of replica collectors out there is huge, Take a look at the sales patter for the Munetoshi already mentioned, when you are geared up to produce this item, your not far away from a decent fake or two. Fake/replica the only difference is in the sale patter, people will buy what they hear, not what they see. My time to worry is when the fakes get good enough to pass Shinsa and get papered, but hang on! If it has already happened then our game is over anyway. Denis.

Curtis. You are where I have been before; see ‘Nakago Ana’ by Dr Fox. There are views there as here to your post. It boils down to these factors. It will be an insult to the sword, if not done by masters of the crafts involved. It will not warrant the expense, you wont get your money back. Getting everything to match will be a difficult job. It will look like some thing cobbled together by a Westener. Tony Edmunds. For me you are right on! Chris I followed your posts on this and I have to say, I personally find your views refreshing, they go to right to where I, and a good many like me live. I have for instance, two 400yr old blades bought from a reputable dealer, both in koshirae. Now here is the thing, it’s quite obvious that the fittings on both swords are not of the blades age! Now I don't feel insulted by this, but even I can see that the fittings have not been master fitted. And I only expect to get back what I paid initially. [if I am lucky]. Does everything match? No they don't, in fact I, to be nearer the age and theme of the other fittings, have changed both tsuba’s. Neither of these swords were cheap! I have a blade coming home from polish, it has got age and it is my intention to find a theme and to source all the metal fittings, then have the tsuka and saya made by one of the best here in the UK. Why? Because I appreciate the art displayed in the swords steel, but I also like others to see, just what the sword may have looked like in the day. If I am to define my taste, its that a shira saya contains a blade, a koshirae contains a sword. Is it a waste to have both? I personally don't think so as I have both, but of course that depends on your definition of ‘waste’. Denis

So thats what a National treasure sword looks like! A few more rubs with the fingers before putting it away, should increase its value some more. Denis.

Tom I have learned that advice on here is like having a meal! Chew it slowly, and when it is 'fully' digested come back and talk to the chef.

Hi Curtis The photo is not very clear? Denis.

For me this has been one of (if not the) best in depth discussion I have been treated to on this board. Worth several readings, this is exactly the reason one could quote for justifying being a member here. For a newbie a complex subject made understandable, thanks to all who contributed. Most enjoyable. Regards Denis.

Double impressive, that is not a toy! Will finish off as a delightful keep sake. Cheers Chris. Denis.

Chris Most impressive, would it only be in Shirasaya for that price? Regards Denis.

Chris To satisfy my own curiosity! $3000 for a handmade item does not seem a lot of money to me, what sort of quality is the item of which you speak? are there any illustrations as to what one could expect?. Thanks Denis.

Hi Fabian I really like what Ian B has said because its right up my street. The standard advice is to not buy, until you have read enough to be able to judge a real blade. Now that's a long road to take I did, until I found the book references did not educate me, as to what I was supposed to see. Knowing I was hell bent on getting a sword I cast my boat loose, and went to a Japanese dealer, I had my budget he had the stock, three hours later I was the custodian of a sword. It was now, and from there that I could appreciate where the art lay. I could study the blade, and its features safe in the knowledge it was guaranteed as the real deal. Am I now able to boast an expert’s eye? No, but I am certainly now able to tell the difference from chalk and cheese. Yes I have an extensive library, and now the means to relate to it. Denis.

Not having thought of doing this myself, and considering cash flow restrictions, I might be tempted to go this route. Spend as much as I could afford on a blade of worth , and then having time before presentation, set the blade up with fittings themed from the Zodiac calendar of the birth year. I may be corrected on this! Born 2013 the year of the Snake (hebi). Born 2014 the year of the Horse (uma). This is not a commissioned work, but also not the cost! But your own input, will certainly make this a very personal forever gift. Denis.

Thank you, Lance and Matt. Another corner dusted off. Regards Denis.