David Flynn

Depends on how much you want to spend. However, if you can push it, the sword from Aoi, is much better value

I look at it like buying a car. the cost of a new car ( not counting the cheap models ) is so much. After you buy it, it then depreciates until it bottoms out. Then after many many years you reach antique status

The tang looks like it could have been welded on

Thanks Brian, Well done :D

I agree with Nobody. Sanmei ( Tokugawa arts ) are very good. They also sell large bottles of oil. Myself, I use cammelia oil, which is also traditional and dosen't smell.

Buddhism is the fastest growing religion in Australia. So if they are that desperate, maybe some should come here :D

One would be scared of scratching it. Pure class

G'day Micko, looks like Masayuki. Do you have any more pics

A patch over one eye and the other one is glass

Wheather or not it is gimei, it still depends on how much you like the sword. And untill or unless, it is submitted for shinsa, it is a Masayuki

Stephen, is that the one from Candelaria? If so, he states he does not give second chance offers :?

I believe all gimei signatures must be removed before resumitting

The signature is definately, Minamoto Masayuki wheather or not it is Gimei, I don't know.

Mmmmm National treasure

Here is your two nearest sword groups, the British token, http://www.to-ken.com/ contact Peter Richards,mailto:Peter@to-ken.freeserve.co.uk Northern To-ken http://www.northerntokensociety.co.uk/ Contact, Ian Bottomley at mailto:IBottomley@compuserve.com. I hope they can help Good luck

Milt your probably right. But, 15 sets of Goto Mitokoromono MMMMMMMM

Rich, I see Allan and Sue Morton in one of the pics. Did Allan drool over everything and was he coherent afterwards. Great pics, exreme envy

Just because somehtings are short and stubby, dosen't mean they don't work properly

John, I look at the sugata first, Well thats not 100% true, If the Hamon and boshi are visible, ie clean sword, quickly check these out. Then I check the sugata. Make sure that the overall dimensions are right ( this is done with the eye and not tape measures ). Check for bumps, such as hammer marks Check the lines, shinogi etc. Then I go back to the Hamon and boshi. I believe that all swords were originaly meant for buisness ( except maybe some of the newer art swords ). A case in point, is WW11 gendaito. These swords were made to be used. However, some of these swords ,are truly works of art as well.

I have seen some Hein blades, where the Hamon is only 1 mm or two thick, and the boshi is gone. These were still classed as acceptable and I am lead to believe, some like this have made juyo.

Milt, just to share things around, I believe they paper some to Kaga

I was wondering, if anyone does have the site saved? Would they be willing to put it on, the nihontopedia

Thank you Brian and Carlo, They are great sites.

Brian, perhaps a fourth option be made available. The combination of points one and two.

Brian, thank you for this opportunity to have a say. In Australia, we have rather strict gun laws. Some of the comments made in the general discussion forum were rather disturbing. However, I am totaly for free speech. So, I vote that the general discussion forum be just that. Maybe though, if a subject appears to be sensitive, a warning of some kind could be given.