Marius

Bob, most kaiken I have seen are lower quality (this does not apply to gendai work). Nakago is crude and feeble, blade is rudimentary, though "nice". Not as bad as "kamikaze tanto", but you can imagine what I mean. As always, there will be exceptions. Early Edo fittings for a diminutive tanto? Doubtful, unless the tanto was Muromachi (in this case it could be as short as ~19 cm, but more likely ~21-21) Anyway, without pics, there is little value in a discussion. Sorry

I stand corrected. Must have been Hallam Ryu

The punches are possibly a "trademark" of the workshop that has done the fitting of the tsuba to a sword. I think this was discussed once.

Danny Massey of www.nihontocraft.com. A great and upright seller, no BS, no hard sale, excellent execution. Highly recommended. Has some high quality swords. I bought several excellent pieces from him, one I have missed

Francis, Watch the for sale section, there is always something popping up there

This sword seems to have a vanishing hamon (omote, from the middle of the blade). Might be just the photographs.

Me too, great guys

Zen Gallery, not so zen...

BaZZa, you can't compare your tsuba with Rob's. Yours is older and of good quality, Rob's is basically a cheap tsuba churned out in numbers, but trying to look "rich". To be honest, Rob, I don't think there was a "school" which made these crude tsuba. You don't call the Yokohama workers of the Meiji period a school, either. BTW, another example of an average quality sanmai tsuba - a group of three nearly identical (I used to own them as a group, sold them since): http://yakiba.com/Tsuba_Ko-Kinko_Group.htm

Hi Rodriguez (is that your last name? I feel awkward addressing you with your last name) The photographs are low resolution and there is no picture of the whole blade. Thus, as we don't see sugata (shape of the blade), the signature is illegible, nobody will give you an opinion, unless it is a (more or less) guess. The registration paper does not matter, it will be issued to any nihonto and nobody will check the validity of the signature. In your case it states the signature (mei) and date (nengo). Give people something to work on. If you want my guess, for what it is worth - the rough hada, masame and the double hamon in connection with what looks like a dull nioiguchi make me think that a mixture of inferior steels has been used to produce this sword (it was a method to economise on expensive high quality steel). Therefore it is most likely a kazuuchimono (mass produced sword) of the late Muromachi period) . The signature is fake (gimei) as the date 1481 points at a time where there were no "bundle swords" yet. I hope that helps.

Kutsuwa hishi?

Thanks, Clement, I have just ordered mine

http://www.aoijapan.com/katana-kozuke-no-suke-minamoto-yoshimasa-2 http://www.aoijapan.com/tachi-soji-chikuzen-daijyo-fujiwara-naotane-kao http://www.aoijapan.com/katana-hida-kami-fujiwara-ujifusa1st-generation Etc...

SOLD, thank you. Another tart gone...

SOLD

Bizen Kozori Moriyasu o-tanto or ko-wakizashi Cutting edge : 35cm Sori : 0.6cm Kasane 0.8cm (massive) Jigane: Itame with masame close to mune Hamon: Gunome Boshi: Sugu-komaru Jidai: Nanbokucho era (Jyoji 3rd year, February) Signature: Bishu Osafune Moriyasu, Jyoji 3 Nen 2 Gatsu bi(c1364,Feb) MORIYASU (守安), 1st gen., Jōji (貞治, 1362-1368), Bizen – “Bishū Osafune Moriyasu” (備州長船守安), according to tradition the brother of Kozori Mitsuhiro (光弘) Now the description and the catch (there is always a catch...): This is an old and battered o-tanto, that has seen quite a few polishes. Despite its tiredness it is still imposing with its thick kasane and stout nakago. It also shows how Kozori smiths have differed in their workmanship from the mainline Bizen schools. Now, the flaws. A few centimetres above the hamachi there is an area of shimi (indistinct) hamon. I would say it is very very indistinct. The rest of the hamon is bright and beautiful. There is an area in the yakiba in the monouchi which looks like remnants of shallow rust dimples (no rust, though). I have shown it in one of the last pics. It does not really detract. Although this is not a perfect sword, it is in polish (some scuffs and scratches, nothing serious), it is Nambokucho, and allows you to study Bizen Kozori work from the Nambkucho period. This is a weapon that has been made to do its job well. A great opportunity both for beginners who want something very affordable, yet with great hostory as well as for advanced collectors wishing to study Nambokucho Kozori work. SOLD In other words: you get this signed and dated old Bizen Kozori o-tanto for the price of polish, silver habaki and shirasaya, plus maybe a few bucks. As always, no fooling around (I like this sword too much), and no price cuts, sorry. A two instalments payment schedule possible for those who are short on money. Three days only. You know, you gotta be quick wit tarts

Francis, May I ask what you expect us to do? You have a fine example here... of a knife.

Gentlemen, you are awesome! Thank you! :bowdown:

Damn, I am such an idiot...

Dear All, I just wanted to humbly ask for quick help - I can't decipher the date on this torokusho I need to give info quickly to a friend. Sorry to bother you with such a trifle, I see that mei is Moritsugu but I am lost with the date... Thank you in advance, and once again, sorry...

A. Less is more. Cheaper, and you don't need to worry about kozuka/kogai.

Maru Ni Shiho Hanabish? Makumi Hanabishi?

Jean, such a fine "connoisseur thief" would be welcome

Dear Fellow Members, Your wish is my command

too little, too late, Stephen The tsuba is now SOLD, thank you