drbvac

Doc L is the man. He is helping me with the attribution of a fuchi -kashira and I thought I would show them off. The kozuka is?

Gentlemen: THis tsuba is on a wakizashi I got several years ago and in looking at some info from Doc L, I came across this one by Kinai of Echizen As this one that I have is mumei - wht are the chances it is Kinai as well?

Almost looks like a forging fold that was polished down rather than a real temperline at the top - would be interesting to see if there is actually a small lip or defect at the top of the hamon. As stated - mounts are a mismatch and saya has been painted recently. Don't think I would add it to my collection

http://cgi.ebay.com/Japanese-SWORD-MASA ... dZViewItem Amazing coincidence - two in a month - this in fact looks a lot like the pics I have seen of his tantos - so if you want some fun again - WHO MADE THIS gimei?

Walter: I have watched some of his items as well and they seem OK and he seems legit BUT the prices are a little high. Take a look at his "store" He has a nice naginata for sale as well but again a little pricy.

Walter -- Wasn't I ! Good luck on the next one !

Thanks so much John - it looks really nice mounted on the tsuka with the Tsuba on the katana> I have yet to get a "real attribution" for the blade but it must a fairly high end sword with furniture of this quality.

hers you go and I no doubt have the name incorrect now that I look at it - Any info would be appreciated. You have to click on the other pic

Your english as a lot better than my Italian and as John said, who do you think may have made this blade. There is no doubt that it is NOT Masamune in spite of the Mei and the Origami, so if you forget about that but remember when the attribution was written -- who could have done this? That's really what I wondered from the start because all things considered it is pretty nice piece!

I have a tsuba on a katana that is signed Kinai of echizen and I probably should know more about the furniture than I do. I spend so much time reading about the blades there isnt much time! The fuchi is here, and I think the koshira is signed, Ren Yei, but thats all I know! Any other info - dates etc?

I just read through the previous posts on "masamune" offerings. The seller is legit. the sword is as he states, the documents are as well, but considering the price - everyone and their dog knows it is gimei. So could you buy this obviously beautiful "copy" by someone who knew what they were doing and keep it as thus? I know of art works that are "so and so" after, Renoir or someone and are quiet valuable in their own right. They don't have what are basically forged signatures but what if the guy who made this was called masamune - there is a country and western singer whose name is the same as mine and he signs it all the time! Knowing that it is not THE masamune - whats it worth in its own right!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Japanese-SWORD-MASA ... dZViewItem

I wonder who is bidding on it- pics aren't great but the surface of the blade looks not great - will need a lot of work regardless, gimei or not!

Probably gimei as stated BUT still not a bad looking blade with all the mounts!

The reply from the seller is " Dear Drbvac: The lacquer of the rust prevention the Nakago is painted with. Thank you, Mitsuhiro FWIC 2803" and if you look carefully at the picture you can see the almost translucent covering over both the polished area and teh rusty area on the nakago- I have no idea what it is or why he did it there except to prevent the "rust" but that is the explantion http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... otohosting Any help?

Walter: I have this marked "watching" and it looks pretty good to me and the price with the mounts is pretty reasonable

Really glad to know what my copy may be worth - thanks Stephen!

As suggested someone should or could write the seller. I have gotten some items from him and they were as described - he also seems fairly knowledgeable and should answer> I will write him and let you all know what he says!!

Sorry Stephen, I keep forgetting that unlike many other forums, the signature file isnt automatic! :D Dr. Brian Barrett, PEI CANADA !!

May as well answer my own inquiry now that I have! Bought a wak in mounts-1500 total, blade is a little loose in the saya, pics on e-bay are flattering, lacing very dirty, tsuba not as marked detail as in photos or rather becasaue it is small, hard to see. certainly as described. HAve to read entire listing very carefully - nearly bought kogatana for 150 till i realized it was 7 inches long with 4 inch blade Blade itself is fine, no chips, polish good, seems nice - will post some pics of my own later $25.00 shipping by EMS took 5 days- great packing -in fact cut my damn finger with box cutter getting rid of all bubble pack and cardboard! Probably as good as most of them -better than alot - dont know where he accesses the nihonto - he also sells a lot of kimonos!

Has anyone had any dealings with this seller?

I am well aquainted with the problems and methods of cleaning and maintaining blades but have read very little on the cleaning/polish/maintenance of fuchi/koshira and tsuba. I recall reading about a guy who cleaned old tsuba with some powdered soap solution and then dipped them in old shoe polish bits (not black) heated on a stove! Most I have ever done is brush them off and it is some hard to get to menuki that are still on the hilt! Like my avitar - Kinai of Echizen signed! :D

How would one figure the cost/benefit of having a new polish done on a blade? I have a muromachi tachi which could use some touch ups of the boshi and it is in relativley good polish otherwise so how does one decide if they should spend the cost of polish on a blade. I understand one would probably not spend $3000.00 to polish a $2000.00 sword but what is the way to determine the value added or if one should polish or not? Would spending the 3 grand on a 10,000.00 balde make it worth 3 more

Folks: Please look at signature and tang on this link http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/katana/06311.html If I was paranoid I would say there was a stamp at one time at the top of the tang above the mekugi ana and it was filed to obscure it! Have a look, maybe same as mine!

I wish I could take better pics! Any links to how to photos of swords. Any way hers a couple more- still think this is gendaito with acceptance stamp.