vajo

Ray could it be that NTHK Shinsa say authentic and NBTHK say fake. Wow, thats ugly. So what proof is shinsa worth then. crazy.

Mune machi?

It looks like well forged with double bo and then chromed. For me it looks like a sword for a higher rank.

Very interesting blade Bruce. The saya was dark red colored?

The menukis look very good. But is gold cast now fake? In their return policy they write if it's fake you can give it back. Refund Guarantee for Japanese Swords When the purchased Japanese sword should turn out to be a fake, you will be refunded, under the conditions that total amount of refund shall not exceed the purchase price and that we will provide no extra services. Refund guarantee is not applicable to the followings: a sword with an “expert certificate”, but later it is regarded as a fake by another expert’s opinion, a sword with no “expert certificate” at the time of sales, Items sold on a commission basis, sword accessories such as tsuba, sword guards, a sword with a mark of “for Iai”, a martial art of drawing real sword; and items sold at auctions.. Edit: I understand that this is only possible when it is a fake sword.

You guys impress me really. I didn't see any signature on this piece. Great!

Thanks a lot. I dont think that the seller will sell it now, after all the informations you give? I dont know what will happened with that sword. I have no experience with NCO Swords (i did not collect them). But i learned a lot. Shamsey i tell you if the sword is available. Regards Chris

The blade looks nice. About the coloration. Handle the nakago without gloves and in some years no one cares about the coloration.

Bruce you are invited! Thanks for helping out. Cheers Chris

Hi Bruce We sit here and trink some beer, the seller sit nearby. He meant the 7 is the stamp. I say strange. My knowledge is, every NCO Gunto must have a arsenal stamp in front of the number. Chris

And one picture more. Sorry for this. I sit outside and send it with a smartphone.

A friend of mine ask for help with a Gunto number. Is this number correct. For me the arsenal stamp looks strange. The tsuka is woodden Any idea? Regards Chris

Guido, surely right words. But, when all collectors only collect the pure art aspect, the Nihonto theme will die. Thats my thought.

There are so many different forms of hada. It depends on the taste what is the best for the collector. Some very fine high rated expensive swords are looking really boring in my eyes because they are perfect in all aspects. It's the same effect with perfect looking girls. I bet the sword you like the most in collection is not the most expensive sword.

There are some guys around the world they forge traditonell katana. There are some guys around the world they make Tosogu. If you want a Japanese sword it must be forged in Japan from a Japanese swordsmith. In other ways it is not Japanese.

The Hayashi are very beautifull. I like them! regards Chris

Sounds interesting Stephen. The hidden secrets of patination in ancient Japan. Now i know why the have koi

Its my thought to the eggplant idea. Eggplants were a symbol for richness. Or the term nasu stand for achieving something great? Eggplants were also favorites of Ieyasu. I belive now the design of this tosho style tsuba from ca. early edo period shows a eggplant. Thank you for the help.

一富士二鷹三茄子 ichi fuji, ni taka, san nasubi

Hello. The sukashi on this tsuba shows a motif i can't identify. Is it a kamon, maybe Oniwa clan or a radish? Or something different? What you think? Tetsu tsuba with 6,8 cm, 0,2 cm mimi and 0,3 cm at the seppa dai.

Thx Stephen. Its very interesting.

Hi Jean i collect for myself the relevant informations and write it in a sheet. Things like weight, height, color, rim e.g. And i try to work out the secrets between the similar looking schools. For me, i think thats a lifetime job

What a story Peter. Thats a deep look in the work of a shinsa team.

The shishi dog tsuba looks like cast in my eyes, sorry.