drbvac

This is the second blade I ever purchased and in hindsight probably paid too much - It is the only non- koto blade I still have and am letting it go to a collector of these. The Tsuba,Koshi,Fuchira,Kojiri are all carved dragons and the menuki are bunches of arrows. There is a horimono on both sides - one a dragon and this is a pretty nice all in blade. I paid nearly $4000 for this but will let it go for $3500 and the good thing for you southern friends is that is about $2500.00 US which you have no hope of getting one of these for that price - maybe in a shirasaya . I am heading south for a month but wanted to put the message out there - I can;t take pictures worth a damn but have these and will upload some more later if I can get them ready. Will ship FED-EX you pay - about 50 bucks - will accept pay pal

Many years ago and again when I joined the board DOCLISS took great effort into helping me determine which era of smith made some of my Tsuba when I had no access to books or anything else to assist. He wrote a couple of pages of descriptions and indications that he had found or knew without any question or hesitation and I will always remember his immediate responses to any questions. A real teacher and great man who truly loved his hobby and had no problem sharing any of his knowledge. He will be missed and God Bless.

Here is another nice pair on a Kashu Iehera AND Since you like DRAGONS : These are on a Kanenori

All great pieces and as I do not collect tosogu as such the only ones I have are mounts on my blades. I am partial to these three iron Tsuba however and would enjoy them even if not on the blades they are - also a menuki and Kashira I enjoy a lot @

Well then = thats like getting the Ferrari for 4000.00 DIfferent question - put it this way - if I had 55G to spend on nihonto I am sure I could find one or two others I would be much happier with @@

I am afraid it would drive me insane = like a great big dent in the front of a 1965 Ferrari - nope

Ford = is it possible then that as these little blades were probably not used in a stabbing manner that blade itself did not need to be too firmly fixed into the kozuka and would allow an easy change of blades should one break or get lost >?

I believe I stated they are signed on the blade and not the tang and no I have never seen one signed like a Katana on the nakago - I thought they were usually signed on the side that was filed down or sharpened and it is above the tang where it goes into the Kozuka.

John:: That link worked and that certainly will keep it from falling out and as most are signed on the blade rather than the tang but = must it all be heated again or possibly placed in boiling water to remove it ? There is probably many types of natural goop that will keep it from dropping out when removed from the saya without being a pain in the ass to remove the blade or clean up the Kozuka afterwards?

Any that I have had are not glued in at all but the tang on the kogatana was not "Exactly" flat and it was a friction fit into the slot on the Kozuka . It had almost a little wave in it that held in in place -may not be correct but thats what I have had and seen personally. Hopefully some experts will clarify as you certainly wouldnt want to ruin the tang on any "special" little blades

Still in line and as its Joe = good luck Joe =nice pick and I am sure you are ready to go a "little" higher = snipers at the end

Is there any possibility of taking them in checked baggage - at least they are with you and can follow them - checked bags can have restricted stuff in them = even a box checked is better than shipping it and a checked package cheaper than a shipped package

Pretty tough offer to decline = thank you for your generosity and hard work preparing this document for sharing ! Me too !!

Thanks Bill but I did want - KarlPeterSmith, on 02 Jan 2016 - 07:47 AM, said: to talk about them as he stated he could - I know they are gimei - I just wanted to hear his particular analysis if the characters. ""To HELP the stalwart disbelievers... show me post#71's characters and I'll talk about them using other swords (evidence) to identify them. I don't need a hamon. Let the life-long masters of the waves with their long-boards take to the waves (surfing term) it's their playground, not mine. "" That was what the re=posting was for

Here are the characters again but would appreciate comments as stated.

Paul B : I dont think this is one of them

Well I have a doctors degree amongst some other felllowships but I am lost in this - I do have a Tadayoshi signed blade but it is probably gimei because it is signed with two characters only. IN all the oshigata the "experts" have evaluated has anyone seen a 2 character mei . THanks Brian Barrett, DDS, FACD,FICD,FADI,FPFA. Mason

May 2016 be a great and peaceful year for all and the rest of the world who care little for Nihonto = their loss. Thanks for sharing the wisdom and good advice

All good - and the last thing that anyone wants is to be marked or highlighted on their computers - makes it VERY tough to even travel - first time you do somewhere or return they tear your luggage or vehicle apart - they can seize cars everything and no warrants needed. I hate customs officers more than police

That is a tough one into Canada as well and trust me - the "gift" checkbox and "funds sent" do not go well together on the same form. Depends as well on how it is described. I have sent them to the US called - Antique Japanese Wall Hanging" and gift but they are not dumb and if you think they give purchasers trouble usually - wait till they open the item and see it doesnt match the description or the actual value. Most antiques if allowed in the country are not charged duty and may have sales tax added depending on the mood they are in so the actual cost to tell it like it is may be worth the hassles later on - Play it your way - I have heard of them coming to someones house after the fact and seizing a camera they took into Canada in their luggage - seems they filled in the US warranty card from Canada and - give me your camera - here is the fine

I will give you the little more PLUS a thousand for the other three !!!!!!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR - Hope your good fortune continues !

MIchael: You have many years of study and enjoyment ahead of you with those 4 blades - there are guys who collect for a long time and will not end up with swords like these and FOR sure not for what you paid. If I may = I know how exciting all this is but I would be in no screaming rush to clean, work on, move around or frig with them too much as I know you would also hate to do any damage to your new treasures. Well done. I believe the mon on the koshira of # 4 is the center in the picture below - i am afraid I dont have the translation though

I will give you 1000usd for any of them.

HAS He got anything else he wants to sell - not that its any of MY business but were the rest priced similarly to the one at the top of the thread ? Better than the lottery