Alex A

Ask yourself what you would rather own ?, may be interesting as we all look at things differently. Take value out of the equation An Edo katana and wakizashi signed by the same smith and made at the same time with matching fittings that were all put together in recent years,. or An Antique Katana and a Wakizashi by different smiths in similar koshirae that have provenance to have been owned by a Samurai in 1850 and showing appropriate wear.

Forgot to reply earlier. Always reassuring to know even experts give differing opinions, not just the folks here. Folks often say "send it off to shinsa, to the real experts" Even they don't see eye to eye on some swords. Another topic though but thought it was another interesting interlude.

Another case of the biggest problem in Nihonto, folks constantly insisting everything neatly fits into suitable boxes/brackets, as that's usually the case in books. Whether swords, tsuba, whatever.

All of those listed above are Katana/wakizashi, no tanto, that was 1702. Not all had a wak. (reading again) See lots of images at the end of the Edo, Katana/tanto. First photo taken in Japan was 1861 according to the internet. Just wondering if trends had changed by then and for general mooching about many just chose the tanto?, dunno. Read of daisho with 2 waks, A few reasons for non-matching sword daisho, off top of head. They were expensive. One had a Katana handed down, its precious and 200 years old, how you going to get the smith to make a wak? You had a matching daisho but the katana shattered like glass in a duel, you don't want another by that smith You don't like the local swords so just grab what you can when you get the chance. Your master gave you a katana but no wak You stole a better katana on the battlefield Someone stole your katana so you had to buy another. You just don't care whether they match or not. You seen a better katana in a dealers that was a bargain. You cut your finger on the wak, you think its cursed and so on................. If i was to meet some old dude in Japan that had a daisho and he was saying they were his great great grandfathers daisho but went on to say they are by diffrent smiths at different times, im hardly likely to go "WHOA, what you talking about?, that's not a TRUE daisho!!!!!!!!!!" In an ideal world they would be matching and every Samurai would be walking around with a smile knowing they were matching. But its not an ideal world and definitely wasn't back then.

Think about all the swords handed down and the reasons why some would not have wanted or been able to attain a "true" daisho.

For those that have not looked Japanese SWORD - Swords of the 47 Ronin (japaneseswordindex.com) Think 5 out of the 33 mentioned had matching mei.

Looks slender, maybe its one of those tourist pieces from the end of the Edo period.

Cheers Chris, the real ones above have that aged look, real age. Also, agree about educating the folk that want to learn. Its good of you to do so and hopefully may well prevent someone being taken for a ride.. Ps, the one that Luc put on here, newbie thoughts, it just looks too much.

Interesting Chris, im now sat here wondering if the forgers iron out the errors such as the seam at the front, will they become so difficult to detect that even experts have trouble working them out ? You mention that you have seen a few on Yahoo. Maybe one or two go under the radar but then seeing more and more leads to red alert warning to educated buyers. Its like Ebay where you see so many of those modern cast tsuba from China floating about. Was on another forum a while ago asking about fakes and one guy stated "We try and not make them any more knowledgeable than we have too". Some folks really take it serious, information to fraudsters.. I guess at the end of the day its the naive that will take the brunt, as always.

When any (potentially) big name blade in polish arises, one must ask theirself is there a chance it has already been to Shinsa.

Great idea for a thread, these inscriptions make a sword a lot more desirable!.

Id go late Edo Colin.

I'm a dolphin trainer Anyways, we have both made points, time to move on.

I've read everything you have written so far in all your posts. The impression i get is you boast a lot about your capabilities Just thought a man on a horse as high as yours could put that great knowledge to better use, rather than moaning and bitching on a forum

From another's perspective. Your complaining about amateurs working on armour, they are going to do it whether you like it or not. If you care so much about the armours they are ruining then would it not make more sense to give advice and help prevent more armour being ruined? Obviously see your point but just a thought.

Trouble is, you cant stop these people doing what they do. Must have seen hundred plus swords with bad polish in the UK alone. As mentioned earlier its the Dealers and also owners that don't want shipping hassles or high charges for getting it done properly. Dealers look to make profit so they go for the cheaper commercial finish. Have to say, there are dealers that wont send or advise a cheap polish on a good blade. There are dealers that don't care either way. Ignorant owners don't know what's involved and will send it anywhere, others have a go themselves. Some might say low end mediocre blades don't deserve an expensive polish, what's the point, that guy in the next town (so to speak) will do an ok job. (being honest and not condoning it) Does that seem to be the trend for armour? I cant imagine someone paying an high price for a quality armour that needs restoring, then short cutting on quality restoration, but i guess it happens. I say that because armour comes across as a lot more niche than swords.

Contrary to what some may say, judging sugata from photos can be the most misleading aspect, for me.

Personally, would let it soak in oil and gently go over it with a tooth brush a few times And as above.

Many carrying a Tanto/Katana combo.

Was just looking over old photos of Samurai on Youtube, there's a few on there where fittings don't match. Think maybe some were not so pedantic as we are

Strictly speaking, if you had koshirae made for both swords, then still your Daisho. But who cares, its yours.

Eric, il be honest. Think you may be pushing the boundaries of the term "daisho" Though look to be nice blades, That a Mino sword, who made it ?

In fact, sod it, il have it if still available

Aye, its outstanding. Mariusz, where do you keep finding these gems?, we need to know Never seen so many good old tsuba at such reasonable prices, as what you been selling recently

For me, its two swords used by a Samurai, with the same koshirae. Check out swords of the 47 Ronin for mismatches. Also, if someone puts two swords together and matches the koshirae, its a Daisho. Their Daisho.