jutettsu8

Thank you everyone! Mid to late Edo period and Tohoku region it is then!👍 Uwe, yes you are correct, the maedate is indeed a replica. Piers, true....it's not very easy to spot these in those pictures. I can see all 4 hibiki-ana, however I can't see the shiten-no-byo at all. Doesn't seem like it has those. However let me add a picture which might help clear this up a bit.

Hello, Recently I have come across this kabuto and menpo set. It's advertised as a mid-late Edo period Northern style piece. I do have a soft spot for Northern style armor. Does this one seem genuine and is my guess correct of it being of Northern Japanese origin? I'm a beginner in collecting armor, so any information is helpful!🙏 Thank you in advance Jonas

Thank you very much for your insights Geraint.🙏 I believe I will pass on this one and keep learning👍 Jonas

Hello, I came across this koshirae which looked quite interesting to me, it has a signature on the saya, which I can't read. Any opinions on this koshirae or what the signature could be? Thank you in advance Jonas

Hello, I've recently come across a menpo with a rather rough looking surface. I have not come across many menpo with such a surface online. Is this due to oxidation, quality of iron, preservation or maybe artistic choice? Thank you, Jonas

I finally decided to purchase it after the seller offered a nice discount because of the missing ears. (altough as by John the raised ridge does seem to make it questionable if there were any ears.) The seller also stated that the color for the cords was too bright and I could change it. (and just to be sure it passed the magnet test). Are there any good sources on Kanto men?

Thank you for the responses John and Uwe, I don't have any extra photos of the raised ridge, but it I believe it is as you said, there used to be ears attached to it. The color of the lacing is indeed quite bright, I initially tought that might have been some changes in brightness or contrast from the phone's camera, but then the last 2 pictures are much much darker, so it could be anything haha (altough it's most likely closer to the bright version of the picture) I know much less about the lacing so I didn't pay attention to that much, now that I look at it some parts do seem rather...messy in comparison to many other examples. Regarding the "Sendai features" is there a specific style of menpo in that area and by what name would that go? I only know about the Sendai Dou. Thank you! Jonas

Hi I would like to ask your opinion on this menpo. It's on my to-buy list. Is this one real? The seller describes it as being Edo period and with Sendai characteristics. He also said the rope has been replaced. Thank You! Jonas

ohh I see, and I read some of these questions on the listing as well it all seems to vague to be a good repro.

oh woops, I meant a real reproduction indeed. Ok I actually didn't know that about the o-yoroi, good to know. thank you

hello, I'm living in China and saw this o-yoroi on a second hand app. Is there a way to figure out this is real without travelling all the way? The seller has several positive reviews (no negatives)

Thank you! I've messaged Guido and Lee. On the Chinese "ebay"(kinda) I've seen loads of antiques, sometimes even nihonto, mostly Chinese bronze era antiques though, which seem quite interesting, but I know next to nothing about Chinese swords, since as you said, books on Chinese swords are indeed quite scarce... I'll take a look at the flea market here in Xi'an!

Hello, I'm currently living in China, I'd like to know if there are any collectors in China on here or if there are any specific laws on importing antique Japanese swords into China, as well as the possession of it. Thank you for your help! Jonas D.

Thank you, I knew there wasn't much i could do... except bringing it to a polisher but that might get expensive and a gamble with this blade. even with the the smallest almost unexisting chance to damage my sword i'm panicking so i will leave it as.( it even pained me when i was breaking the tsuka off(other story: the tsuka was glued together with lacquer and glue.))

here are some pics excuse me for my lateness but i wasn't actually referring in my first post to 'THE polishing' which i am totally unqualified for but was referring to the improvement of a blade full of scrathes and dirt by cleaning the dirt off the blade a bit and such.