Andi B.

Is there any Hada (visible steel layers on the surface) visible? If not and judging only from the pictures, this could really be a broken Paul Chen blade... Maybe made only to complete the Koshirae?

Hi Tobias, if you live in/near Munich I probably can help you with a contact... On this Sunday, 15.07.2007 there is the "12. Japanfest" in Munich/Englischer Garten around the Teahouse. http://www.djg-muenchen.de/veranstaltungen/?id=105 There will be a stand of the "Freunde des japanischen Schwertes" where you can ask questions ect. I will be there too... Otherwise we (the guys from this stand) meet regularly each month in a tavern in Munich, where you can bring your blade and get information. Some of them are really Nihonto-professionals You can send me a message for more details. Greeting from /to? Munich!

...I'm really no nihonto expert but the blade (especially the hamon) looks like a modern made reproduction (Paul Chen etc.) and not "pre 1800"... ...Do they really think, one would spent so much money on eBay for these pieces :? ?

...the lower left hole looks a bit like a bat... ? I own also a very poor wakizashi tsuba and I'm intersted in any thougths about it (I don't want to start a new thread with this "miserable" piece): The dates which I found out but I'm not sure if it's correct: 67 x 62 mm, Kiku mon Sukashi bori (right term?) - the spokes are inserted and partly lost pieces Saotome school ??? Age: ??? Can this be confirmed or do you have other ideas?