Franco

Sounds definitive. Suggestion: Highly recommend following up on this information being given by going to the books/library and researching Mr. Tanobe's judgment. Having done so myself, I believe you will find a number of important insights that lend even further support to Mr. Tanobe's call, including reaching the conclusion of, why this sword is not an AOE blade. Specifically, the detailed description of Ko-Mihara found in Albert Yamanaka's Newsletters revised Volume I on pages 372-373, at least for me turned on the lights (so to speak). In addition to supporting Mr. Tanobe's determination of Ko-Mihara, one can also begin to deduce why and how the call of AOE might have been reached. A side note here: Albert Yamanaka was a student of Hon'ami Kōson. Further: It is critical when swords are being described that the descriptions are precise and accurate. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. An error in description can lead to incorrect conclusions. Words matter. Remember, "the sword confirms the mei and not the other way around." So, regardless of what is decided here Ko-Mihara, AOE, the sword will remain what it is, and not what it is not. Reality vs delusion. Does anyone know when this sword was polished last? Hope this helps in some way. Regards,

In the pursuit of excellence ..... .

Thank you for responding. Regards

Dear Jason, Gents, Please forgive me ahead of time for what I'm about to write. However, I feel that I must. Detailed, yes! Superb, yes, ...., yes, ...., yes, ....., yes ! But that is also the reason for at least some of my concern here. In fact, you could say that this set almost looks too good. And at least in the way I have been taught, that raises a caution flag. This set, at least to me, and again, I could be wrong, looks recently made. Recently made as in 'new', not Koto, not Edo, not even Gendai. Which makes me, too, want to know who, what, where, when, how? While 'old menuki' can be carefully polished and restored to look new, the 'old' does not completely go away. It would take a great deal of serious work and materials to replicate an 'old' 'new' set. In fact, while I know that it could be done. The expense would make going out and shopping for a genuine old set make much more sense. So, when I see a new set it makes me take a step back. Caution flag questions: Is this gold solid? Is this gold foil? Is this gold uttori? Is this gold maki-e? What is the solid dark/black on the backs? Why do these menuki not show any age? Why is the detail so crisp, precise? Are we going to see another same exact set? Please, I hope, that all of these concerns/issues/questions can be explained. Looking forward to all replies. Collect what you like, but know what you collect. We have now entered into an age where delusion/illusions are having their own delusions/illusions. Regards, "Desire is the cause of suffering."

One reason there may be difficulty finding the mei (in older texts/references) could be that this set at least to my eyes doesn't appear to be old. But, I could be completely wrong. Apologies if so. Regards,

P.S. When evaluating any sword one of the very first steps is to carefully examine the blade for flaws. Note that a quartz halogen lamp is excellent for this purpose as it reveals the smallest details including very fine scratches. Beware that sometimes flaws, even fatal flaws, will be revealed during polish. Quartz halogen also works great for viewing fittings.

Tanobe's sayagaki is like icing on the cake. His calligraphy is wonderful. His thoughts/opinions precious. Further confirmation.

Validation is done by submitting your signed wakizashi to a shinsa/judgment. You can check the Sword Shows, Events, Community News and Legislation Issues forum or ask about upcoming (shinsa) events. You might also ask for opinions in the translation forum on the mei. Serious collectors build a library that includes books and computer files with examples of valid signatures in which to compare to even before submitting their blades for shinsa. Examples of signatures for lesser known and unrated sword smiths may not be found. In such cases forgeries are not expected. Suggest using the search feature to read about polishers, polishing, and restoration. There are a number of qualified polishers available in the US/Canada that range in ability and skill level. For clarification, the kozuka is the handle portion. The knife part is the ko-gatana. Both may be signed. Signatures on the kozuka can be valid or gimei. Mei on ko gatana can be genuine or simply 'honorary' generally to a famous maker. Fittings can be ensuite matching completely, or they can simply compliment each other, or might display the taste of the owner. Sword furniture is a category of study in and of itself. Just as it is not recommended to restore mediocre or below average swords, the same can be said for fittings/koshirae. When it comes to restoration, the first question becomes is it worth it? As restoration can quickly exceed the value of the sword/fittings. Polish + new habaki + new shirasaya = cost , restoring the koshirae will not be inexpensive either. The first step is to research/validate/understand exactly what you have, then decide. When in doubt, ask. Regards,

The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords is a reasonable start. But then you'll have to apply what you think you've learned. Which might place you right back at facing the question of overpaying. Which would make for an interesting test. Of course if you failed, not so much. Collecting nihonto is never easy as a good friend used to say. He would also say, it's just when you start to believe that you finally know something, you find out you don't. Regards,

Do you see the problem here? Something about placing the cart before the horse. Mentor/teacher, books, sword study, then perhaps a purchase. Of course, there is beginners luck or not. Regards,

The nakago jiri is suggestive of Bizen. Combine that with the dealers call of Edo and it would seem that this sword lands in nowhere land. Or at least the mei does. This is the problem with trying to confirm the sword via the mei and not the other way around. First figure out what the sword is and then the rest may fall in place or out of place. Whichever the case may be. Btw, when you're attempting to figure out what a sword is, you begin with evaluating the shape, not an image of the nakago. p.s. Sometimes the mekugi-ana was filled to indicate it was the original hole. Koshirae, ehh? Nice, ehh? Sounds like this unknown possibly gimei blade is becoming more expensive by the minute.

Insult taken. My bad for not scrolling to the top of the old post before replying.

Nope. Am still not seeing any evidence that this is a water quenched sword. Suggest searching and reading through the many posts on this site covering the subject of oil quenched vs water quenched. Regards,

Water quenched, hmmm. Show me the evidence because I do not see any?

Hmmmm is exactly right, please no acid test. A jeweler should be able to check it for gold content. Regards,

Being a signed sword, the first step is to have the mei verified. Check with the Northern California Japanese Sword Club ... http://www.ncjsc.org/ ... to find out when, and if, they may be hosting a shinsa. In the meantime, in addition to the NCJSC there are a good number of very knowledgeable collector/dealers in California to consult with further about this sword. Opinions generally come cheap. Once the signature is verified, then, the next step is a full restoration if desired. You can also check here on this message board for other shinsa events being held around the U.S. . Further, you might want to consider having what is termed a "window" opened on this sword. A window is having a short section of the sword polished. This will not only give you a look at what and how a full polish will come out, it will also give the shinsa team a more complete picture to base their decision/judgment upon. Which is important, especially on a "big" name call. A polisher in general will usually be willing to squeeze in the time to open a window on a sword even with their busy schedule. https://www.nihontoc..._Sword_Polisher.html Regards,

Sound advice. Perhaps the metal tosogu collectors will chime in and say more about these fittings? Thanks for posting additional images. Regards,

Thoughts: Solid silver? Highly doubtful. Precious metals were/are precious and not used wastefully and splurged on a tsunagi. Silver plated, possibly, "if", then something probably done in more recent times. Saya/koshirae, if memory serves, perhaps, an Owari style koshirae. You can check/confirm with Sesko's Koshirae Taikan. Ko-gatana, the mei looks possibly valid. Needs further research. Kozuka, is it iron?, needs further evaluation. Can anyone read the kanji on it? Habaki, yes, the habaki looks wonderful. Could we see images of the ends and inside? Close up pics of the fuchi/kashira? Basically, this is a koshirae someone thought well enough of for preserving. If mine, I would try to discuss and learn more about it with an expert like Brian Tschernega. Ask if he thought it was worth having him do restoration work. Regards,

Welcome. Me too. Look forward to reading the result. Regards,

Solid gold? Doubtful to my eyes. Regards,

This might explain seeing an older sword in uncommonly fancy koshirae.

Have pdf downloads of both, not hard copies. Which allows you to play with the images. Microsoft even offers "Read Aloud" now. Have sometimes wondered about just how risky it might have been for a merchant drawing attention to oneself in this way. Regards,

Much depended upon the taste (and budget) of the samurai (or merchant) is what I would say from having limited knowledge. I've definitely seen a range from more basic to very ornate and fancy. Something subtle can at the same time be fancy without being flashy, if that makes sense. Taste! Even though merchants were only allowed wakizashi, sometimes you'll see katana length "merchant" koshirae/saya. Tsk, tsk! Markus Sesko offers "Koshirae Taikan" and "Koshirae En" , recommend adding these to your library. Regards,

Expanding on this thought. Since your sword is signed (versus mumei), the shinsa team should be able to give you a definitive answer and confirmation of the sword and signature's validity. Attending a show/shinsa can be a very good learning experience, especially if the show offers educational venues such as a meibutsu display where you might be able to view other Bizen swords. Regards,