Alex A

Seen enough Jean. Try selling one with that flaw. Know what you mean though.

This is why i find buying swords on ebay impossible Always a concern in what's not being disclosed.

Don't see any point in buying anything you don't really like. One day when you see something you really want you will look at the ones you shouldn't have bought and think well, i could of used that money to buy this one but now im skint

Interesting John, good to know Cheers

For a non armour dude, this is a very interesting thread, cheers. Taking the expensive costs of armour into account, now wondering how many would have had to make do with "mix and match" armours, bit like today with collectors on a budget putting an armour together. Hand me downs, 2nd hand and battle field pick-ups. From the cost, im assuming an high number but as said before, you don't find much about this in books.

Could be repaired that Piers.

Maybe look into Edo Osaka also.

I suppose you could send it to NBTHK, if you wish to do so. Looking at examples, you could make it fit Takada. You find Masame in the Shinogi-ji You find a mention of tight Ko-itame and Ko-mokume, aswell as O-hada, rather a mixed bag. You find Ko-maru boshi You find the same nakago You find nioi deki and wide. The minute i saw the hamon i thought Takada. Reminded me of a sword for sale a few years ago. Same irregular gunome/midare and choji, looked like it wanted to be Sukesada but the choji was different. It is written than Takada smiths were quite smitten with Sukesada and on occasion their work will fool folk into thinking Bizen. That sword was towards the end of the Muromachi though. Also written that horimono is rarely seen and usually not the best. Without researching more, the length of the blade to the nakago is a slight puzzle. It does look like katate-uchi but the longest i can remember in that bunch has a nagasa of around 67cm, i guess not too far away. As for the blade shape, well, seen one too many exceptions to the rules.......... rule. Anyways, just thoughts and nothing factual, be interesting to read what others have to say.

Find Ko-maru boshi in Takada, Just ideas.

Difficult from the images. Kasane of 6mm with a worn looking horimono reminds me of Koto, rather than Edo. Be good to see a good pic of nakago. When first looked at the hamon it reminded me of Koto Takada, they also worked in Ko-itame, the Yakidashi dont fit though, from memory (not to say you wont find one as they were known for copying other schools) Its an interesting blade, like it. Ps, some good looking into it by yourself, good to see.

Wow, hits home how far mumei swords can be out on attributions.

Don't look to bad to me. Would just spend some time rubbing the rust with my thumb, touch of oil and a soft rag maybe. Obviously avoiding the soft metal, as mentioned. Some old dumbbells in the garage that pick up rust when i don't use them. When i do use them = beautiful dark patina, no special tactics necessary For the finer details, what was said above.

Welcome, quite a few bonsai enthusiasts here also.

Reading some of this, cant help thinking there is too much focus on the mei and not enough the sword There's that much variation in Muromachi Kiyomitsu, suskesada etc etc mei, personally don't get why folk spend so much time focusing on it. You find papered examples that look nothing like anything in books. Blades out there with later added signatures to the correct smith, some obviously get papered. No way of knowing whether signed by a shaky apprentice at the time or later mei forger on a mumei, some of the time this hobby can be pure nonsense. blade characteristics, then mei. (with more leeway for the likes of Sue Bizen)

Very nice, like the Amida Yasuri, reminds me of this thread https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/7313-ko-sukashi-tsuba-with-amida-yasuri-what-school/ Really like the Mon tsuba.

I have this theory that a lot of the time its intentional, too honest a description and images wont help with online sales

Its a shame folk wishing to help out others have to put up with the resident troll.

Could maybe just add a link http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/measure.htm

Lol, Hizen Masahiro ?

Hello, its impossible to elaborate from what can be seen here. Look here for quality of images that make life a lot easier for folk here https://www.aoijapan.com/ People should not be mailing you being negative, its ridiculous. As said before, mass produced covers a large spectrum of quality. The issue i have is that the nakago appears a little crude and is unsigned. There's just too many swords about of that type which are more collectable, signed blades, even dated. Cant take away the fact its handmade and a real piece of history.

An old late Muromachi Kiku tsuba came up for sale recently and im sat there thinking why has nobody jumped on it?, it was an absolute DEAL!. Anyways, i keeps saying my tsuba collecting days are done but obviously not. Mariusz as usual always great to deal with. The tsuba turns up and its very impressive. It was once sat on a katana (judging by the ana size and it was common to see smaller tsuba on katana at that time) It has a crack above the hitsu-ana. Judging by the two slightly bent spokes i was thinking the crack may be the result of a bash to the outer rim. Its a funny thing, years ago i would have been put off by a crack but now it don't bother me. Not on a tsuba thats heading towards 500 years old!. Seems a shame that old Ko-Kinko tsuba don't seem to get the same attention in the sales section, seems they just get rotationally owned by the same bunch of enthusiasts Anyways, a pic. Next to a small tanto tsuba, that was another great deal from Mariusz. Another to show the wonderful patina.

For the most part, forums are a godsend for those with little knowledge of what they have. As said before, whatever info that folk receive is FREE. Usually, with something decent the answer is always send it to Shinsa. I still use forums myself when i need to and I'm so grateful to the folk that take the time to reply. When researching to learn something i often find that the most useful information is found in old discussions on forums. Discussions involving experienced collectors/hobbyists, stuff you will only find in the most obscure books (if your lucky). The only gripe i have is sometimes folk can come across as ungrateful, especially when they don't like what they hear. Sometimes not even a thanks. If ever i use a forum and ask questions, i contribute a small donation towards the upkeep. Personally, think anyone that uses forums on a regular basis and does not contribute, is a tight ass. (meant with a laugh)

Ps, for someone that makes that kind of statement I do wonder why you often get so involved in such experiences lol

Only a rough guide Jacques, its not a shinsa Just to give folk some direction

Don't forget measurements. Saying that though, have noticed when you ask folk for measurements they suddenly disappear Ok by them for folk on here to mess about for an hour trying to help them out though, sigh.