Infinite_Wisdumb

Ill definitely claim the newbie mantle! Thanks for the education Dale! A few more from Dale and I conversations. Thanks for starting this thread John!

Man its cool to see barn finds turn out!

Godspeed Mittens

長州住行助 choshū ju yukisuke??

Some better pictures. The bidder still hasnt paid, if if she/he doesnt in a few days its mine. So if you are reading this, dont pay!

Hi John! Nope, I didnt bid on it. Taking my lumps virtually before sinking cash into garbage. Gotta say that Dale is a font of knowledge! Wow Jesse

LOL Barry. Ive almost stepped on a few already and may have stepped on one with the pouch pin purchase

#drool

Interesting Mark! "The Goto school in the Edo period, say from 1650 to 1800 part of the period was still strong and they were producing many pieces, in fact they could not keep up with production. A group of artists in Nagoya had direct access to the Goto school, not the main line, but students and the branch WAKI-GOTO to make pieces in Goto style. Now that style was for the most part the MINO Goto style, which had always been popular, and since the Maeda, who came from Owari, were their patrons, it was that style that was produced in the Nagoya area, to fill the demand. It should be noted that they were made for lower class samurai and those of the Shogun court who could not afford REAL Goto school work or had no access to it ( it was also above their rank to wear main line Goto work). These lower samurai and officials could thus satisfy their desire for Goto style fittings on their swords. Even Soten soft metal pieces were made in Mino Goto style to fill this demand, and signed by the later Soten school workers to help fill this craving. There were SO many petty officials in the Shogun's court and the daimyo who lived part time in Edo that it created this industry for this style of fittings"

Part 2! I think this one is real. Edo period perhaps? Shakudo looks legit. Snakeskin (whatever the texture is on the whole Tsuba) seems period correct. Hitsuana and Nakago-ana also seem correct

thanks everyone for the additional tips! I bought "Lethal Elegance" by Joe Earle and have been studying it....

Okay. I think this one is a fake as there are no hitsuana and the material appears to be modern age iron. Any other telltale signs I am missing?

Still want. Is it bad form to bug the auctioneer daily for an update on the bidder status? Asking for a friend.....

thank you

good luck Brian! Sword seems to have a cool story behind it!

Thanks Steve, Barry and Ray! So many landmines in this hobby!

unreal I know. they want 25000 for it with no papers. i LOLd

Indeed Steve!

Second pic

Going down the rabbit hole.

News on Mittens?

I didnt win it either Bob Will see if original bidder scams out as I am the second bidder on it. Here are a few more pictures I love the insects on it

Thank you Grey! Looked the smith up, you are spot on! A similar piece is shown here https://www.ima-usa.com/products/original-Japanese-wwii-army-officer-katana-samurai-sword-with-handmade-signed-blade-by-seki-kanetsugu-c-1944?variant=17616343564357

I keep looking to build the collection and learn from everyone. Thanks so much! I found this one recently at auction. Scant description other than 19th century. Any thoughts on the maker?