Matsunoki

Depending on the balance of metals used to make the alloy and the patination process used, shibuichi can be almost black.

Don’t know what to say about that Dale!! I’m so glad that the British Museum think it’s a good idea to spend their (our) money actually buying such things😳😡

Also, the way the fish scales have been engraved/carved is extremely crude. Usually Japanese artists will take the time to carve them properly, and not by using a hasty cross-cross pattern that in this case also extends beyond the intended boundaries.

Tsuba looks like a Nagoya mono piece

Sometimes caused by a loose or damaged habaki, loose tsuba or loose seppa. Maybe even an ill fitting fuchi.

There are many people around with more money than sense There are many people around with more sense than money There are many people around with no sense and no money There are some people around with sense and money I wonder which of these are the target market for Lanes Armoury🙂….and which are not🙂 ……smart marketing imo…..as you say Alex, must work for them.

Grev, by all means have a word with Bonhams but they mercilessly driven by their bottom line and are not easy to do a deal with on their vendors commission. I suspect they would want to lump your tsuba together into a few multiple lots and would probably also insist on very low estimates to ensure it all gets sold. Plus they haven’t got much of a clue about the finer points of tsuba or swords unless you tell them what things are…..and they’ll possibly ignore that anyway. You could have a word with Thomas del Mar (ex Sothebys arms and armour expert) who runs Olympia Auctions. I’ve used them….he is a really nice guy and I found their service excellent. (Tempting fate saying that!) He may be keener to offer your pieces than Bonhams and he may let you do accurate descriptions…..and maybe thus ease his vendors commission a bit. Why not offer them here on the forum? You could specify UK sales only if you wanted to and make the prices more attractive knowing that there is no vendors or buyers fees that would ordinarily reduce your net by about 40% plus you are in total control of the whole process….and maybe get paid a lot quicker. Just some things to kick around… Best. Colin

I think maybe the mimi is shakudo but the magnet is simply picking up the iron underneath. That is a definite copper alloy colour showing.

Koshirae is handachi not Tachi.

Maybe Joji 1362-68? 2nd year 3 rd month a day?

…and maybe this section?

“In hand”, what do these areas look like? Residue of glue/solder or the shadow of something that was attached previously?

Can we see the back please?

With just one image it’s not easy. However to my old eyes it looks like a poor quality cheaply made kozuka onto which has been stuck a gold plated dragon…..possibly an old menuki. The quality of the actual base plate (pressed?) and frame etc does not suggest we are looking at a solid gold dragon. Such pieces were quickly produced during and after Meiji to satisfy the demands of the eager, rich but easily fooled gaijin of the period. Called shiremono I think? (I always spell that wrongly) Could be wrong of course 🙂

You have no way of knowing exactly where the habaki is “catching”. You could assume it’s at its widest point and be completely wrong……it could be on its leading edge or even on the mune/ha surfaces etc….so where do you start filing? Do you start using carbon paper etc? Fraught with danger and could very easily make things worse….unless you are an experienced sayashi. Also as temp and humidity changes again you could end up with such a loose fit the blade is insecure.

Mei reads Nobukuni. I do like these hirazukuri thin blades with strong sori and Hi.

Yep, many just like that now on the Selling Antiques site☹️

Is,this maybe a silver family crest?

George well the main thing is that you are happy and that’s what really matters. It is obviously a very interesting sword, I hope it brings you pleasure. Just my opinion, but I think it’s pretty shabby behaviour not to declare 7 hagire. “Some issues” doesn’t really cut it. A clever description that can be “hidden behind”.

@UtopianarianGeorge, I also saw this sword on Selling Antiques but your courage exceeded mine. Did he tell you about the hagire or show clear images of same? Your answer might help a lot of people in the UK. (Or elsewhere!) Best. Colin.

Meiji period C1900+- judging by foot rim wear it’s patinated bronze. That colour and texture is common for the period but it’s lovely quality.

To comment on Dale’s question re alloys….I think the alloy “formulas” were very variable and I’d bet a lot of experimentation went on especially in late Edo onwards. Add to that patination techniques (natural and artificial) and looks can deceive. There is another alloy that looks almost exactly like Shakudo but isn’t. I know we are talking copper here but when shibuichi can vary from olive green to pale grey I’m sure other alloys were “played with”. This large (and very late) katana tsuba landed here a few months ago and I was certain it was copper but after what Piers says about shinchu I’m not so sure. In Meiji metalwork when copper is used it patinates to a very dark red (difficult to describe).

Another one…..

A couple to be going on with…..

Nope. it’s Katana Mei.