Alex A

What length is the blade? Difficult just from images. Ana appear to be punched, not drilled and the nakago seems to have a patina that fits. Its tired, as in not much steel left on at the hamachi. The steel has that Mino kind of a dark appearance of that era but that could just be the photos. Just observations. Easily worth what you paid. Actually, with the good tsuba and koshirae, id say you did very well. Even if Gimei and a serious flaw like Hagire, which is of course what you have to expect for a sword at the price you got it. In the UK, $400 doesn't get you what you got, at all.

One day, might give it a go, thanks

Also bear in mind that some folks struggle with unsigned shortened swords, even if Nanbokucho or earlier.

I just have a vision of getting to the desk and having **** over it, that would be my luck.

Tony, i see the logic. Though i guess not for me. Don't like airports at the best of times and the last thing i would want to do is bring a sword back with me.

PS, Jacques. If you taught what you know with respect instead of coming across as belittle folks, i wouldnt have found it so funny. This thread just another example You really need to work on that With respect.

Times moved on, books, references cant keep up. Just how it is.

Yes, that's him Mark. He used to sell swords and offer services like organising swords for Shinsa, Not heard of him in years or what he's up to. I did like his store. Cheers

Thanks Ray, was unawares. They have some decent solid wood sword stands for reasonable prices.

Knew it would happen sooner or later, give it a rest Jacques. Legendary Moment in NMB history Ps Congratulations Georg.

With serious study over years, compiling info etc, especially on one particular subject then one can really get to become knowledgeable. As Brian eluded to earlier in this thread. Over the years you see many particular swords turn up on various websites from certain smiths, wished id compiled more data. Just look what Jussi has achieved and thats many smiths. Don't think Bryce needs to justify his knowledge more than he has, I'm sure when it comes to a purchase he is more than adequate at knowing what he buys.

Ps, just googling Masakata and Bushu and stuff comes up. I dont know whether maybe your tsuba is an offshoot or whatever. Just one example, with Masakata Kind of similar style Want to make it clear im just speculating. Note Kanda and Bushu, both linked to Tokyo, according to A I https://www.aoijapan.net/tsuba-bushu-jyu-masakata/

Thanks Thomas. There was once a shop like that in the UK ran by a guy called Kevin, think he was a member here. Miss it, was very handy for stuff like this.

Agree, Michael.

That does seem a bit unusual. Wonder if it was someone testing something with the gold overlay before they went ahead and completed the job. just a guess. Ps, about Bushu. That's not a fact, that's just my observation and will tell you why. The style with the outer rim and two ana seem to fit. The way the trees form around the ana and the way there are real thick like trunks seems to fit. The use of gold overlay is consistent with the school. I like tsuba with trees so they catch me eye. Thats about my knowledge. I find Bushu tsuba to be very in touch with nature, in general. Though i cant say if im correct or not as im not really a serious tsuba authority lol Heres my two Bushu, notice the same style with rim and ana with the nature, one has a touch of gold. (weird picture, not that shiny in hand)

If your talking about the real straight kind of Kanbun sugata blades with 0.5cm sori then i kind of understand the statement about not buying Kanbun. Saying that though, i remember Darcy saying one of his first blades was of that type and he liked the straighter blades at that time. Ive had one and did like it, some people really like them. Not all blades made during that time were of that sugata, many just have typical sori. On a side note and kind of back tracking. There are obviously many people with deep pockets. In the UK you would only have to to look at one certain dealer to realise there are folks with more money than sense. Earlier, i was talking about what i have seen with the sales on the forum and opinion formed by talking with folks here. I find for most folks there are financial boundaries. Lets face it, great examples are too expensive for many so become unobtainable. Hence why i think it seems Shinshinto and Gendai seem to have become more popular in recent years.

And the landlord said "sorry, identical twins only"

Buy keepers, in this day and age with issues with shipping, don't want to be buying stuff and having to ship a year later. The pain of knowing that, no beginner will understand

The style, the way the trees are done, reminds me of Bushu Though folks will know more than me.,

This i expect will be more of where can i find it rather than someone having what i want. Looking for Sageo, matching for katana and wak. The tsuka are brown so will need something decent to match. Looking for two thick seppa. If anyone knows where these can be found?, antique or modern copper. I remember a place years ago that sold them without the ana cut, DIY job which may work out better for fit anyways. Checked UK and nothing jumping out at me, so to speak. There was a good dealer many years ago but now he has gone Cheers

Im not making it about you, you already mentioned your purchases so i was replying with some reality. As said before, its a world of instant gratification. Not saying all people are that way, there are the sensible ones that appear to want to study a bit first, though from what i have seen, most just dive in. The first buy is usually a curiosity/impulse buy, saving up more money is the last thing on their minds. To be in the frame of mind to want to save up for something better, one most first have experience, that includes good and bad experiences, learning what one likes etc. You can tell folks all this advice until your blue in the face and it is good of you to care. though some will and some wont listen, the latter seeming the more common occurrence. Personally, i think there is something special in many a cheap sword, something of real interest that makes them stand out. I think its too easy to become overly obsessed about staying on track with ones preferences, in a way it would take the fun out of it for me. Mistakes, whatever, all part of the journey should they jump on board. Mistakes are opportunities to learn and grow (Marcus Aurelius) We are all different though and all have our own ways, horses for courses.

Rayhan, reading about your 15 Kongo swords etc etc, you obviously have the the finance to throw loads of money at the hobby. The reality here, would say most would be lucky to throw $5000 at a first sword, if that. Thats a lot of money for an average dude, Rolex watch money for something that might just be a one off. To me, this all getting over complicated for folks wanting to buy their first sword, maybe the last.

Saw a real thick tsuba in a plain style, like Tosho. It was on a sword at an arms fair. Convex shape, remember thinking it seemed odd and a bit overkill. One of those things where if you don't usually look for them, you don't seem to come across many.

Is there a reason there are these real stocky tsuba?

Aye Jean, i was curious enough to go through Aoi tsuba a few weeks back and from memory never saw one much thicker than 6mm. There is a reason, im not going mental lol Have a koshirae where it would be easier just to find a real thick tsuba rather than start messing around with finding real thick seppa One of those things where eventually it gets worked out. Cheers