Oldman

Thanks very much all. While my tsuba certainly looks very similar to the one that was listing on Yahoo, the sekigane and tagane ato are different. I don't see any indicia of it having been cast; no porosity, no flashing. I'm reluctant to hit it with anything hard. Cheers, Michael S.

Can anyone shed light on this iron tsuba, maker, school, age? It is 67 mm diameter. Thanks!

Sending PM re #5

I have not used the GSP for a sword, but have had numerous bad experiences, including excessive unnecessary expense and delay. They once LOST a research microscope, a rather large, heavy, expensive package. Cheers, Michael

Ahem; the guy on the right appears to have his index finger hooked over the tsuba and they guy in the middle appears to have the sageo, or something like it, wrapped around the tsuka and over the tsuba, one would guess for the purpose of holding the sword in the saya. Not to say that the sword might not have stayed in the saya anyway, but they weren't trusting to that. Cheers, Michael

Hear, hear! Many thanks to Brian and all the knowledgeable participants. I will remain forever a novice, but my understanding has been greatly advanced by the generous sharing of those with more expertise than I can aspire to. Michael S.

PM sent.

I am another "lurker", check the NMB almost daily, and learn something every time. I am not knowledgeable enough to contribute much, but very much appreciate the forum and the generosity of those who share their expertise here. Special thanks to Brian, Jean, et al for keeping this site alive and well. Michael

I have had nihonto shipped from the U.S. to Canada and have found USPS Priority Mail International to be reliable and avoid broker's fees. There are import duty exemptions for certain antiques (but be sure to check how old they must be to qualify, 300 years comes to mind). However, don't overlook, as mentioned, the tax of around 13% (GST PST or HST), and Canada Post charges a fee to collect that tax. On the example $10K sword, the tax would be around $1300.00, plus the Canada Post charges.

Relying in part on the experience of other members on the board, I recently completed a transaction with David McDonald (website montanairon.com). I purchased a somewhat rough katana from Mr.McDonald, and arranged for him to do some clean-up work on the blade and re-wrap the tsuka. He did a terrific job of cleaning up the blade, actually a careful touch up polishing, and a superb job of the tsuka wrapping - all at very reasonable cost. He is a reliable, professional, provider of nihonto goods and services who reflects well on the calibre of people associated with this site.

Thanks, Grey and Guido, that is very helpful. Michael

Hi All: I would like to know if there is any reason to prefer the earlier versus more recent editions of Sato's book "The Japanese Sword"? Are there differences between the editions, or has the same book just been republished with a different cover? Thanks, Michael

Thanks for the suggestions, and the charming story, George! I'll keep looking for similar motifs. Cheers, Michael

Hello Ford, and thanks for your thoughts on this. I bought the wakizashi from a well-known dealer and restorer of nihonto, who described the koshirae as "inspired" and of the Edo era. The wrap appears fairly aged and the same as well. That having been said, it was a lower end piece pricewise and is mumei and out of polish, although healthy and with a decent older polish allowing some features of the forging to be seen. I haven't seen any similar fuchi kashira, although I haven't been searching for very long. I appreciate your interest and expertise. Cheers, Michael

I'm hoping someone will be able to help me identify the theme/subject matter of the fuchi kashira on a wakizashi I recently acquired. To my inexperienced eyes it looks like a bird theme, with a flying bird and also a feather, and some sort of plants (bamboo? rice?) in the background. Any more informed opinion on the theme, any idea of age or school, etc. will be greatly appreciated. Cheers, Michael