Alex A

That kind of money gets you excellent signed blades. The blue ito would have to go. You did ask.

Very well put, John.

Bobby. 100% sure dealers have very wealthy reliable customers and a lot of swords are sold off the websites. Sometimes make it to websites but already sold. Did hear that a lot go off to China nowadays. Had my suspicions here for years about certain desirable antiques being impossible to get a hold of.

I dunno Lewis, they have been appraising swords long before they became popular with the likes of us. I guess when it comes to money and parting with it, the Japanese are no different.

Cant think of any other antique/art appraisal body that offers an appraisal that seems so highly regarded and relied upon. Seems a unique situation. Imagine how much sales would drop if a dealer just started using their own appraisal. They offer reassurance and add value, though not necessary for many swords.

Well, he said he had been lucky and held countless masterpieces that left him in awe but did mention one sword in particular. A wakizashi by Inoue Shinkai. He did go on to say that he doesn't collect swords but has a cheap tanto that holds a lot of memories, so i guess that was his favourite. Tired he said but the hamon was truly exquisite. I cant name that smith but he is not up there with the best. I think owning a sword a long time that has memories makes them that bit more special. I get that.

Subjective, Have a lot of respect for those that really know these swords and the only way to know them is study them daily, not just one or two from a known smith, but many. Did ask a dealer in Japan once what the best blade blade he ever held was, expecting some Juyo candidate, was surprised with his answer and taught me a lesson.

Pin Yin. This was a good thread to read through.

I understand your philosophy Dale. All i will say and keep it short because dont want this topic flying off into space. A new philosophy soon arises when you find you have no money. Anyone can find they lose their job, the misses wants half the house, whatever etc etc. Maybe im a little odd in that i like to see purchases hold their value. Its not about buying stuff to make money. I know people with "you only live once attitude so have fun and buy what you want". Anyways, going off track but they were never any happier. Back to eBay. Dont know if you saw the wanted thread on pine tsuba. Found five or more dealers on eBay all selling the same tsuba. I dont like ebay. Ive bought cheap tsuba too, from folks here.

Ok, no worries.

Dan, your talking like you haven't spent anything. Add up all those tsuba you have bought and im assuming it will be a significant amount of money. My advice to newbies is if you plan on buying lots of mediocre tsuba for $150 (or less) a piece, don't, save and buy better examples. You will appreciate them more and probably re- sell them an hell of a lot faster. Repeating myself again, so said what i needed to say . Think maybe you are in for one hell of a learning curve when one day you sell some of your collection, that's being honest. Goodbye for now,

I don't know much about tsuba, Dan. Know enough to know that no amount of money should be wasted.

I was laughing at your buying tactic, not my reply. Its ridiculous logic. Anyways, not going to go around in circles again about wasting money and encouraging others to do the same. Horses for courses

Must be reassuring.

Had a brief spell on ebay this morning. Reminded of what an horrible experience it is, sifting through junk and scams. There is good stuff, though a lot is well overpriced. Always left with the thought that sellers are fishing for idiots.

Aye, maybe not. Besides that, i am suspicious about that tsuba, those kind always make me suspicious.

Thanks all. That got me on to trawling ebay. Took me back, interesting what turns up, A popular tsuba. Antique Pine Copper Tsuba Samurai Katana Sword Guard Bushido from Japan | eBay Japanese Sword Tsuba Copper Pine Motif Edo Antique Guard with Box Tosogu | eBay Antique Japanese Sword Tsuba Copper Kadmatsu Pine Motif Edo Era 6.8-7.2cm | eBay Edo period Japan antique copper Pine Tree Tsuba Box sword katana armor blade | eBay

I see some details but you have made it really difficult, didn't even realise two swords. Would keep them within their own threads to avoid confusion, with measurements. Do see hada in one of the images, looks like maybe itame with masame near the mune. I guess you need to put as much effort in with better images and dimensions as folks here can put the effort in to assist you.

Just watched this vid.

I think Lewis has a point. To me it looks like someone has filed a mei off in that particular part of the nakago. You can see file marks in that part of the nakago and appears like maybe part of a remnant mei is left. The horizontal file marks are only in that area. Though suriage.

Aye, missed that. To add, very old blade so i guess a lot of folks will forgive.

To some people i would bet that's the main attraction to buy.

Perhaps photograph Aoi arts certificate and show that here instead. Its too small to read. Cheers

Cheers, Nothing worse than dodgy fit koshirae and fittings.

Hi Piers, don't really matter so long as good quality, cheers.