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16k

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Everything posted by 16k

  1. 16k

    Mission Accomplished

    What a great collection Peter! If I may, how long did it take you to gather all that?
  2. I really liked the Matsuyama Kaze trilogy. I have others waiting to be read like the blade of the courtesans.
  3. Well, it’s hard to say but it looks like a real water quenched Hamon, so maybe semi traditional... once again, I’m no expert.
  4. Doesn’t look traditional to me, but I’m no expert. Yet, file marks look gunto and, though we’d need more pics of the blade, Hada looks muji. A better view of the Hamon would help too.
  5. I know what you mean, but as a backyard cutter, I tend to buy very good Chinese repro, and trust me, I own one of this Komonjo blades and no Chinese blade I have comes close to it. I think they are real unpapered and unofficial blades made by second tier smiths that are produced to sweeten the pot and smuggled in bundles out of Japan... unless they are by a Japanese guy/former apprentice to a Japanese settled in another country, but the method is too different from Chinese blades. And if they are indeed Chinese, they are really, really good. For the price I paid, none of my other blades is that well made and sharp.
  6. Magnificent! If only I had the money!
  7. It seems we share the same point of view! Even though I’m here to learn and, maybe, get a real masterpiece some day, I’m more into a sword that has lived and has a historical value than getting a sword as an investment or an art object. I like the idea of a lowly samurai or a ronin of some sort (what can I say? I’ve watched too many Kurosawa movies ) owned and used that sword than a sword that’s been stored in a box and has never seen the light of day. I also like the idea that we’re just the current custodians of a piece of life that went from hands to hands before us and will still be here when we’re long gone. That, for me is the definition of a treasure. It is not defined by its monetary value but by the love those who made it and those who carried it put into it. It may not be the greatest sword, from the greatest Smith, but it is special because it is yours and because by holding it in your hands, you’re holding the past and a bit of the life of those who came before you. And this is also why it is our duty to care for them so that future generations may one day hold them in their hands too.
  8. 16k

    Colored Hi?

    It was discussed in a thread before. I think it’s genuine even if it looks weird.
  9. I’m sure they are gimei, not so sure about them being made in China. Too different from Chinese blades I’ve seen.
  10. It’s been bent by the shock! Quite a heavy blow! A fierce battle against a rock maybe?
  11. HI Ray, You always offer wonderful stuff, so I was wondering, are you open to payment plans if I'm ever tempted?
  12. Oh, right, that one! Yes, this one looks bad! I don't know if I'd return it because of that, but it certainly is a big, unaesthetic scar. Still, bad looking but not fatal and acceptable if the price is low.
  13. That future looks nothing serious to me!
  14. The way I understand it is it's a way to give a name to the new forging methods that appeared in general in opposition to the easily recognizable Gokaden.
  15. HI Trent, and welcome. Contrary to others, I don't think what you found is Chinese... But I don't think it's Japanese either. You see, I'm not a rich guy, so I don't own many real antiques, and trust me, those I have look nothing like what you're showing. And unless it's an old, turn of the nineteenth century replica, it's not Chinese either. I like to do some backyard cutting, so I own quite a few Chinese repliqua and trust me, even the worst one looks miles better than your sword. Chinese swordsmiths have very much improved lately and I even own one sword with an ayasugi hada and two other juka choji hamon that even show utsuri. I know it's hard to believe but if they had a better finished nakago and a traditional polish, they might fool some at first glance. But back to your sword. If your sword actually is the lost Masamune, then surely, Masamune is highly overrated. IMHO, what you have here is probably worse than a Chinese repliqua: an Indian, flea market repliqua and the price you paid is correct for what it is. But of course, you're the expert, not me, as I'm just a humble beginner. Besides, more pics and measurements would be welcome, as well as pics of the nakago. Not trying to be haughty or sarcastic here, but you probably haven't seen many real Japanese swords at your young edge and errare humanum est!
  16. It's an interesting question about which I've often wondered and would be interesting in knowing the answer too. I'd read that fascinating article but you ask pertinent questions. Like why Fujiwara when clearly they're not descended from that clan.
  17. Probably a stupid suggestion, but why not try a polish like Mother's Mag to restore it and then acid etch it with white vinegar or lemon juice to restore the pattern? Cost effective way, easily done and since it isn't a Nihonto, I don't see no harm in it! (Runs hiding under a stone waiting for the backlash...)
  18. I own something very similar, so I go with my first opinion. Oil quenched gunto, probably seki factory.
  19. I agree that it is oil quenched. Possibly WWII?
  20. Merci Thank you, Danke schon Grazie Gracias Domo ... For this great and heartwarming welcome. Well, as I said, not many people in my area. Maybe I could start a group with cows. At least, I know I'm more knowledgeable than them! :lol Anyway, thanks again. I know that pictures aren't like the real deal but at least, that's a way to study and forge (pun intended) an opinion. I've been lurking for quite some time before signing in, but in the end, I couldn't resist and am eager to be taught what I don't know. One of the most frustrating thing about theory is the more you learn, the less you feel you know and I guess than in the 20 years+ I've been reading, I end up with more uncertainties than firm answers I'm afraid...
  21. Hi Barry, I teach English in France to unruly and uninterested children. Yes, I've seen that there are several French members here. Especially Jean who seems to have an endless knowledge about sword. And you know what? I don't know him but a few days ago I was reading again one of the few French books about Koto swords (Sabres Koto, by Serge Degorre) and in the list of name of the people who helped financing the book, I found a Jean whose family name starts with L. Pretty sure that's him! Anyway, thanks for the welcome!
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