Blazeaglory

High five????

Haha totally! I think that every time too. It's like the inside joke between my brother and I

I always wondered that as well. I also thought that maybe when the marks were worn down or not visible any longer, that it was time for a new polish? For some weird reason these marks are really interesting to me! Lol

And that's the actual condition it was in when you first purchased it? Amazing piece of work! Either way I really like it. Stupid question but have you ever fired it????

A couple Koto blades twisted and hammered onto a nice big oak plaque?????????????????

I don't recall the source but it was a while ago. Roughly 10 years maybe? Around that same time, did you hear of the cache of ammo found in the fountain in some suburban backyard? The same panic afterwards. It's funny. Rounded knives. Panic at the sight of ammo. When they ban everything sharp, what about the brick bats and lead pipes lol

Very nice! Could you give more info on the item? It looks like some great craftsmanship!

Very good info! More than I hoped for! I seriously feel allot better now, not that it matters lol but I did kinda picture it as a kinda "fox fur" farm or something similar and brutal. And all the talk about the food has made me think of "house special pearlrays" !! I do know of the waterproof aspects and would like that feature but the dimpled copper or similar is very interesting and the mention of lacquered Same with more options than just black has got my mind going. I've been reading "the art of tsuka maki" and noticed silk as well. The very early tsuka in the book have awesome metal wrapping. One has a spiral from F to K. Pretty bad @$$ Seriously thanks for the ideas! Oh yeah, here's the tsuka ito

Thanks for the replies! I think, for the sake of the sword and tradition, I'll end up going with real Same and I'll plant a tree or sponsor a orphaned gnarwal to ease my conscious... Juss...This "project" is for a possible Mino O-Suriage Waki. You might have seen it before as I posted it once or twice???? So far I've put together a Tsuba (Ko-Kinko Muromachi?), Fuchi/Kashira (looks to be mid to late Edo?), dark brown Japanese silk Tsuka-Ito and some really nice Tulip Poplar. I'm still looking for a pair of Menuki that would match and the Same. I was also thinking about just going with a nice flashy gold dragon set of Menuki because that would stand out on the black and brown but I would like it to at least look like it belongs. I know I have a distinct and unusual method for things and this might not be for everyone but I was trying to do something different while using traditional methods (as far as my limited expertise will allow) and real Nihonto items. In regards to the Fuchi and Kashira, I quite like the geometric patterns. Also, if you look close, you can see the gold areas are actually individual different shapes. Triangles, octagon, circles, squares, etc... They are in the shape of multiple dragons. At first I thought they looked like crap and I'm sure others think the same but after a while I noticed the Dragon shapes and somewhat decent quality in hand carved craftsmanship... there is no rust on these or serious blemish. Just a little dirty. I'm in the process of making a stand using these plans. I did manage to find a nakago blank (forgot traditional name atm). It's made surprisingly well and powder coated. Anyways didn't mean to rant but I would like thoughts from you and others if that's ok! Good or bad.

Hello all. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with imitation Same wrap? I would prefer the real thing but as I get older, my heart grows weaker. Long story short, I would hate to use ray skin not knowing if the populations are at risk, or skin a creature just for my Nihonto handle, etc... but on the same token, I really don't want to use imitation either. I will be using BLACK if that matters. So I'm hoping to get all of your opinions? I think I know how most of you feel but has anyone actually used fake Same? How does it feel or work compared to the real thing? Anyways thanks in advance

I would buy this in a second if I had the funds... simply beautiful????

Wow! I love it! Looks like real 24kt gold! Either way, that is some expert craftsmanship!

Very nice! Love the Koshirae!

It refers to the technique of burning the material to determine what it's made from. I didn't realize how many pages were here but I was replying to one of the posts on the first page. I should have quoted it! Kind of morbid humor on my part but I couldn't resist????

Exactly. Are they looking for them for the "historic" value or because, like other nanny states, they want to get them off the street before they corrupt any unsuspecting minors... Reminds me of the time in a city in England. There was a .22 rimfire cartridge found in the gutter of the street. Well they called in the bomb squad and roped off the entire block for the day while they "secured" the dangerous .22 cartridge...lol

Well it's not Nihonto related but still kinda cool.

The tsuka (handle) is made to be taken apart but you need to be careful. I know that everyone here will need to see the nakago (tang) to give further info. The bumpy whitish "skin" on the tsuka, under the braided wrap, is usually Same (ray skin) but the tsuka-ito could be snake skin. It's usually silk or cotton tho but there are handles with leather or snake skin. I can't say if it's lizard or snake tho. But it does look different that's for sure. I can't comment on the characters under the hand guard. I'm unfamiliar with that writing. The sword itself has an interesting hamon but you'll need to post some better pics and try to get the handle off. There are some write ups here on how to do it and it's quite easy. I know how you feel about your family sword but they were meant to be taken apart. Just be gentle. I'm sure others with more knowledge can educate you further and help you out. I just wanted to let you know it's ok to take it apart with the proper technique. Good luck ????

Holy crap! That's the price of a decent Nihonto!

Soshin . I thought you were the thread starter so I answered as if you asked the question...lol I didn't notice the multitude of other posts above yours..so sorry I don't have any info for the OP To me the top area of holes look like old water or alcohol gourds. The bottom (2 holes) could possibly be the Satsuma type wire holes? I've read that some tsuba, from Satsuma area mostly, made for younger samurai with less control (sayadome). They would attach wire to their saya and twist it through the holes as a way to stop themselves from unsheathing their sword unnecessarily or too quickly in heat of moment. Also they seem to represent the "sun and moon" hence the two different sizes Is it from the Muromachi era? Satsuma region maybe?

Hey that tailor told me this was silk! Smells like cotton! Get it?

On mine there appears to be 12. This particular sword looks to be from middle to late Muromachi. What's cool is the rust that has formed in the spot showing the polish to be fairly old. I'm always looking for really good polishing marks to compare so I'm looking forward to more of your pics!

Interesting that you mention that. Searching that name led me to the Mishina school which have many similarities.

Hello all and merry Xmas. Has anyone ever seen a boshi such as this? I've searched but haven't found anything exact. The "dip" at the beginning isn't really a dip. Its more of a "fly eye" or whatever the correct name is. Almost a full circle with the top opened and points on both sides.

True. I have seen the same on many Nihonto but some are better than others.