Matsunoki

Just my opinion, but you can’t actually reach any reliable conclusions from these images, certainly nothing that would encourage me to buy it at that price. What details can we see in the blade?……none. What quality can we see in the fittings…..unimpressive. Do we know if the blade has any “problems”….no. From these images it’s a total gamble.

The “face” of these nice menukiwill have been heavily worked/carved and then polished. It would give a totally different appearance to the underside which would be left more or less untouched. Also gold does not generally develop a “patina”….the colour is determined by the carat of the alloy and what it is alloyed with eg copper gives a “rose gold” tint. Ok we are just looking at images but these have a very pure colouration…..18ct plus, possibly 24 carat although that would make them very soft. Don’t know what the Japanese craftsman used as alloys…..if anything. Also depends on how the menuki were made. Could be cast and then finished or worked up from a solid sheet. These have the appearance of solid gold. Do they feel disproportionately heavy in your hand? I would definitely get them tested.

David hello again I have quite a few Tanto in original Koshirae and many have en-suite kojiri. However I also have some that don’t use them. It’s a matter of personal choice I guess. I also have a couple where the metalwork kojiri does not match the rest of the fittings and a few done in simple black horn. your choice! best. Colin

I think it’s simple John…..the auctioneers are, as usual, clueless and care even less. They don’t look repro to my eyes but it’s not my subject. I figured best let the experts know about them. …..maybe ask for better images or ask for provenance? …..trouble is my post has rather blown it wide open🙂

Well , just to confuse matters Shoki has been depicted riding a tiger as well as a shishi…..if that helps?!?!

Doing it via screenshot images. I’m sure you’ll find them!

Hello all, These are not my scene and I have no idea if these are “right” but if they are …….some of you might be interested?….. Good luck Colin will try to add correct link……..

Hi David, don’t want to contradict…..but I think he is riding a ShiShi, not a tiger. All the best. Colin.

Sam, does this link help? https://markussesko....tei-3-hamon-boshi-3/

Then one below the nakago ana is vaguely like a sukashi version of the kirimon leaves??

Jon, don’t focus on the price, focus on the sword. As Gary alludes, there may well be a very good reason why a sword appears “cheap” especially in Japan. Make sure you know exactly what you are committing to before buying from Japan. Mostly you will probably not be able to return the sword if you discover something nasty that was undisclosed or “carefully worded”. Have you tried the “wanted to buy” section on this Forum? You could specify “UK only” A final tip that I have ignored to my cost a few times……”only buy what you really want and not what happens to be available”

Hi Alex I’ve just received a package from Japan clearly labelled as “Antique over 150 years” with an excellent description of the contents and the full value declared but customs have smacked on 20% Import Tax where it should be 5%. Now they want AN EXACT DATE OF MANUFACTURE……..they really are bl***y idiots who seem to delight in causing problems where no problems exist. BUT I have also had a sword arrive from Japan that didn’t even go through customs and got here in 3 days……..crazy “lottery”. John, I totally agree.

Mark, that is a very sensible “start point” but, on this Forum, we have some excellent dealers that take excellent images of excellent swords and that makes it far safer. However when you venture out into the wilderness of the wider world your caution is very justified. In my opinion it is near impossible to judge a blade from images especially if the polish has a Hadori finish. Often you cannot even discern the true hamon nor any other activity details. A multitude of problems can remain concealed and what you are buying often becomes a total lottery. My advice…..ask loads of questions, ask for extra images etc…..the reaction you get back will tell you everything! All the best. Colin

Jon, Sadly the short answer to your question is “no”. There are very few dealers in the UK let alone any dealing in papered swords. Finding anything good often relies on knowing the right people, networking, trawling auctions, sifting through stuff at Arms Fairs etc. The odd diamond does turn up but then you discover that everyone else has likely seen it as well! Further, many swords already in the UK from “the old days” or old collections seem to have the older style of discredited green papers (I have a few of those) which most people tend to dismiss as totally worthless. ( I don’t agree fully unless it’s a “big name” in which case it’s likely spurious) You mention importing blades…..again sadly, that is becoming more and more fraught with danger. Buying a sword without seeing it is a massive risk in itself but add to that the increasing problems with carriers and our own nightmare Border Force activities and it becomes a bit of a lottery. I know some have had a trouble free import experience but others have had their swords confiscated, lost, stolen, damaged etc Always best to buy a sword face to face from someone you know and trust…..you will sleep better. If it goes wrong you can only blame yourself then🙂 Happy hunting. All the best. Colin

Brian, in fact all of you lucky folk, have a great time. I am so envious……nothing like this in the UK☹️ Enjoy and find treasures. Best, Colin.

Interesting. Are we looking at true full mixed metal inlay, or rather multi patination or maybe a mixture of both?

I believe that Kinnoto swords also have an exaggerated long nakago…..eg….

@Brian Sorry to lay this on you Brian……I’m the wrong generation to offer any tech advise! I get in the most ridiculous muddles!

Noah, that is an interesting looking katana you have there. Better images of the blade shape and size would help but it looks a substantial item. The black lacquered saya (scabbard) is without doubt original samurai period Japanese made as is the tsuba and the habaki (collar on blade just above tsuba). The habaki looks made from two interlocking pieces…..sometimes an indicator of better quality. The tsuba also looks substantial ….again size would help. However in my opinion the whole tsuka (handle) is a complete non Japanese replacement. If we look at the pommel end it is totally the wrong shape and size for an original Japanese hilt. I think someone has made a wooden hilt and then used the string wrapping to hold it all together. I think it is pointless looking for a mekugi (peg) under the string. I bet whoever made the hilt just glued it all together or of he used a peg it could, as someone else has said , be a bolt or a nail and therefore no amount of hammering will shift it. I can only say what I would do. If it were mine and bearing in mind none of the handle is original, I would remove it. Very carefully taking my time and not slicing myself with a Stanley knife. You will be removing part of the swords more modern Western “history” and maybe some sentimental value but I think the blade looks worth the gamble…..it’s a good looking thing. You may find a tang with no signature or with a fake signature or with a genuine signature. You may find it’s been greatly shortened or perfectly original. It’s all a gamble. It could turn out to be valuable…..or not….but with that replacement handle on it you’ll never know. However that is what I would do. Others will disagree. Before doing anything please post us some better images and dimensions especially of just the blade length from tip to the habaki notch measured in a straight line. Do not include the tsuba or handle. If possible also get someone experienced to look for serious flaws or cracks before you do anything. if the sword was in Japan there would be no hesitation in removing the handle! Keep us posted…. All the best of luck. Colin

1. Yes….a theme often also used in netsuke eg- https://www.bonhams....5-1868-19th-century/

What a lovely Tanto. What a piece of history. Pleased for you Moriyama san.

Stephen hello mate. Yes it’s mine. Recent purchase on eBay in Japan. What does “ cuffed” mean?…….haven’t encountered that in my local dialect🙂

@SteveM @Brian Many thanks again. I was, as usual going round in circles and getting kanji blindness. The tsuba described in the Haynes link fits this one in style so I think we have him! All the best. Colin

Hello and many thanks for looking. Even more thanks for helping!! I have tried this one and ended up with Naganari and sealed Nari. I cannot find him in Haynes so I am probably wrong. It’s just a nice little iron/gold nunome tanto dragon tsuba. Thanks again and best wishes Colin

So would I be if I were you Brian!. Very attractive package and I think the hitatsura looks excellent. If ever you get tired of it…….🙂 All the best.