Thanks Robert. If I run into future issues I'll be quicker to jump to this as a solution. I've had chargebacks make the situation worse as TOS with services like this typically leave the buyer in a very weak position. Good to know this might save frustration.
Ultimately logic prevailed in this case and Buyee decided items weren't prohibited. They did hit me with storage, and won't refund, but I'm going to just roll with it a $1/day.
With your description I could see some of your holds potentially being related to a 3rd party (eg. customs).
Were the holds always a Buyee policy situation, where the "help" needed was just them pulling their head from the sand - or have you needed to motivate them to help with 3rd parties?
Best,
John
Has anyone had a situation similar to the one I'm in below?
They've found a reason to sequester my koshirae because it has a wooden sword insert inside it. I don't know whether to laugh, cry or shout - but I'm definitely surprised by this!!
Best,
John
Sharing a few gunto koshirae, including some wakizashi-sized, I purchased a few months ago. I've not seen some of these exact fitments on Ohmura or the book I purchased on WW2 gunto.
Has anyone encountered these before?
Best,
John
Sure, and actually not mine. Just one at auction where the koshirae caught my eye so I picked as an example to see what I could learn about it.
To my eye, it looks like someone polished in a non traditional manner and obscured the hamon.
I'm using this to better educate myself, so much appreciate any observations - good, bad, ugly!
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/120144308_japanese-antique-samurai-sword-signed-w-stand
That's very interesting - did not know that about Da Vinci, either!
Another question for those more talented at this than I. The signature reads kaneyasu:
I only see two smiths who signed kaneyasu with two characters, and neither look like this one:
These smiths signed in that character form, but with more characters according to the database.
Is the next step in this process to research other kaneyasu swords which are known to be one of these 4, and compare the lines for identifying marks?
Best,
John
Does this
Oh great!
Did they do this for a reason?
Seems like muscle memory would favor a nicer, more legible signature made the conventional way. Perhaps the samurai equivalent of the hook shot!
I've been through the kanji tables 3 times now, and can't find any that look like they've got a check mark off to the right.
For the time being I've dubbed this one the "greek pi with a hat to the left, check mark with swoosh to the right" kanji!
Thanks very much, all!
Ray - my education continues! Thank you, as always.
I did think the ridgeline on the tang looked unusual.
Admittedly, I have an odd sense of what's fun - but locating a sword that looks off, and then trying to see if I can validate intuition is what I'm doing with this one.
Best,
John
I've recently started collecting Nihonto and have been amazed by the depth and complexity here. I'd like to start translating the signatures myself, and wondered if those in the know might have online resources they use to aid in this.
If so, would you mind sharing?
I have an example I found of an unusual blade that Id be curious about translating and learning more about. It looks to be koto and o-suriage, and I'm curious if the Mei points to that as well.
Anyone mind sharing their opinion or sharing what the characters translate to?
Best,
John