Surfson

That's an interesting sword Ray.  It was made after 1861 (I don't know the numerical value of the kanji used), so it is interesting to me that it has what look like two separate sword strikes, suggesting that it was put to use in battle.  I wonder if it was used in one of the uprisings such as the Boshin war or Satsuma rebellion.  

That's a good summary Bruce, and never doubted.  I do like one of the pieces.

I have to say that Markus' encyclopedia is a fantastic book.  As you are getting in to the field, I recommend that sooner rather than later you try to build your recognition of the kanji that are used.  These are not only useful as you learn to translate sword tangs and determine the maker, but also come up in the better reference books, that tend to be in Japanese.  Markus puts kanji alongside the Japanese words written in Romaji.  I enjoy having his encyclopedia in hand when I read his other books or books by other authors, as it not only helps with the precise definition of words or phrases but also gives the reader the translation into kanji.  

I figured out who it is, and it turns out he is already a friend that I have dealt with at shows many times.  Definitely reputable seller! 

I wouldn't mind picking through the collection to see what I might find, but buying the whole collection based on these poor quality photos?  Nah.  Do you know where the collection is located?   Is it in Japan?

He has been on ebay for a decade.  Does anybody know who it is?  

Bruce, I believe that that mark was made from rubbing of a habaki/seppa/tsuba that were placed there when the sword was longer.

If it's gimei, I would recommend that you avoid it at that price.  I haven't studied the mei, but did have a shoshin blade by him, and the mei looks unlikely to be shoshin to me.  

Very sad indeed.  I have received his help many times when he and his team came to Chicago to administer shinsa for the NTHK-NPO.  RIP

Thanks Dale and Glen.  It's interesting that the one in Bonhams had NBTHK hozon papers.  I am still planning to submit mine to NTHK-NPO when they next come to town.  As I mentioned, my hope is that it is not cast.  I would be curious to see the papers on the Bonhams one, whether they mention how it is made or not.  

Congratulations on a good buy Nicolas.  That looks like a very nice package at a reasonable price.

I assume it is a name Grey, though I don't know the definition of soemei

I am stilling holding out a slim hope that this piece is not cast Glen.  By the way, do you remember the price that the one sold at Bonhams brought?

Yes, I think that ivory may be just a little softer than deer horn, but I'm sure that somebody has measured them, and obviously, ivory is one type of horn!

Nice Glen.  It's very gratifying.  I sometimes bring a tsuba to work or while watching TV or whatever, along with some ivory (I find that sometimes antler has some harder inclusions that can scratch patina).  The time goes by faster and there is less suffering if I am distracted by a lecture or a film or whatever.  

Jean, I would like to see that sort of analysis.  Like what Darcy has done with swords, but with fittings.  

Went back for a look, and Edo period was not stated.  The mei was mentioned in parentheses.  No worries, it's not the only clunker I have bought among swords and fittings.  I'm hoping that when it comes it will have the appearance of a hand made piece.  

When I saw the one that Glen posted from Bonham's, I became convinced that it is likely a copy.   I contacted Buyee to cancel the sale, but no such luck.  I will save it as a study piece, but be careful not to buy it when my post mortem auction happens!  

Another vote for cast fake....

I'm not sure that is a dimple.  There are round dew drops found on other parts of the tsuba, especially on the back.

Well, I see that some of you are voting Big Belly Flop!   Well, I will have a close look at it once it's in hand.  If I still can't tell, I will have Miyano's team from NTHK NPO look at it next time they are in town.  If they say it's a fake, then maybe it's time for a new hobby.

I have found a few variances from the one in the book, so they are not identical, but nearly so.  The photography is very different, and it is difficult to tell about patina, so I have looked primarily at the carving.  I doubt the mei was stamped, and couldn't find any evidence that the one on Yahoo was cast.

That is an oft asked question Dave, but sometimes dealers don't want to spend the money or the time to put a sword or tosogu through shinsa.  I tried to judge it by the work, as well as the mei and agree with you that it looks ok.  I'm hoping that there is a Sekibun aficionado on the NMB.

What makes you so sure David?

Here are photos from the book (sorry about the resolution - as it happens, I have the book and the tsuba in the book and the one above are identical, other than the use of gold for the whiskers of the dragon).