Bazza

Bruce, Bruce - wherefore art thou??? BaZZa.

I've hesitated because the pics are somewhat low res. I have two Nobuyoshi katana, one Hozon, the other Tokuho. My 'thought' about this one is that the tsuba is a dud and the fuchi shown a modern repro, which to me suggests a 're-dressed' blade for sale. I have no confidence in the blade signature at all - it looks 'wonky' and 'insubstantial'. Simply collectable as Peter says - if its genuine. I would need to have it in hand before acting on it. BaZZa.

Might it be a famous view??? BaZZa.

Piers wrote: > Sanju Makibari Piers, Surely it is niju?? The only sanju gun I have ever seen was HUGE and weighed as much as an anchor!!! BaZZa.

The real litmus test is how long "new guys" last in the pursuit. Nihonto is a tough gig from front to back and top to bottom!! BaZZa.

Thank you very much Piers and Marcos. My friend was grateful for your opinions (I pointed him here, hopefully as a teppou man he will stay around ). He replied: > Also, thank you for the information regarding the mon on my kozuka. I have seen most of the Nabeshima > style mon and think that the mon on the kozuka is sufficiently different to be a different mon. BaZZa.

A friend of mine has a kozuka and thinks the mon may have been a sideline variation of the main Nabeshima family mon, but he has been unable to identify it. My knowledge of mon is pretty much zilch. Does anyone have any idea of what it could be?? Thanks, BaZZa.

Gents, If the hamon is intact and true to the cutting edge before the hamachi this isn't necessarily a sign of a retemper. Though uncommon such a real temper exists and it is called yakiotoshi. http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/yakiotoshi.html https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/645991 Also, put yakiotoshi into the NMB search window for more on the Board. BaZZa.

I'm very interested to see that the tsuba has a teppou on it, though I can't make out the object that is in front of the barrel or what the other objects are. I'm guessing that the back of the tsuba might show a bag for keeping lead balls. On the front I seem to remember a story here some time ago of a samurai shooting a bird in some circumstance?? BaZZa.

Does anyone know when this type of kake (stand) came into being. I'm guessing Meiji period??? A friend has just found one and while I was aware of the style had never seen one (that I can remember) in hand. There are numerous around on the internet and I've attached a photo of a signed example found there. This one my friend has found isn't signed, but looks old and the wood seems to be cypress, or certainly a pine of some sort. BaZZa.

Oh, Peter, I've been following this with very great interest indeed. I didn't know you had such a collection of teppo. Nice photo. The bottom gun is the one in question, desu ne? The one for which you are looking for a hibasami? I recently saw a teppo that had a homemade pan cover. God it looked awful The next two guns up on the rack are conversions to percussion and a bolt action? Very interested to see a write up on the bolt action. One reads that this was done, but I don't recall seeing one described on the Board. Keep up the good work!! BaZZa.

Some while ago Stephen put up a link to Ford discussing restoration of a tetsu same tsuka from a katana. This link shows Ford discussing restoration of a wakizashi koshirae: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0yk24gfjWg In the beginning he also revisits the tetsu same tsuka to show results of the conservation of this item. BaZZa.

These sorts of threads are endlessly circular discourses! John, you really have to get away from google and actually hold swords in your hand. Find a sword club, or two, or three near you and get hands on experience. Spend more time looking at swords before even thinking about buying a sword, even years. The inevitability of sword collecting is after you gain more knowledge and appreciation you will say "Why did I ever think that was a good sword to buy!!" The other thing is to get away from the idea that swords are an "investment". Wrong mindset IMHO. Oh, and never spend money that you can't afford to lose outright is a good guide to buying... BaZZa. (Still "at it" after 55 years...)

I reckon it has all the hallmarks of a fake... BaZZa.

It would seem to me that Acxel has stumbled upon a horidashimono that is well worth professional evaluation. Looking forward to more revelations. BaZZa.

I've been back and forward over this sword for quite some time. This certainly isn't Daimyo stuff, but has a sort of "reserved dignity" about it. Stretching my neck out here - does anybody think the saya could conceivably be 17th century lacquer???? Possibly the original koshirae for a Shinto blade?? The tsuba looks like the lacquer and the tsuka, simple and old. The handle binding is in an unusual style but appears undisturbed and old. I think the blade is Shinto, but that chip is a real killer. I would have a window put in it. Just thinking out loud - swish??? BaZZa.

Congratulations Jeremiah, thanks for sharing. BaZZa.

This is Japanese , Freddie mate... BaZZa.

Jumping in as the thoughts occur to me. Any Yasunori I've ever seen (a few! And I owned one at one time) are suguha and all about 25 - 26 inches long. Oh, and only one mekugi ana. Longer blades may be special order, but this certainly isn't one. BaZZa.

Well, FWIW I think it is a Shinshinto blade, but have no clue as to what it is "dressed up" as. The main indicator for me is that the mune flares out where it meets the koshinogi. Not so easy to perceive, but it seems so to me. Jack, the habaki is knackered beyond repair and not worth any effort to try and preserve it. My suggestion would be to run boiling water over it (use rags around the blade to prevent your hand burning) and tap (heavily?) with pieces of wood to drift it off. BaZZa.

Shane, If you google "Ota Chikahide" you will find lots of information, much of it on this Board. You can find the latter by entering "Ota Chikahide" in the NMB Search window in the top rhs corner of your screen. Best regards, BaZZa.

I beg your pardon Malcolm, I thought you were pointing us to a video with a different handler. BaZZa.

Good grief, he doesn't even know how to draw or handle it properly... BaZZa.

Vitt, This seems to be a long blade?? What is the length please?? BaZZa.

Bob, With a 144 piece collection I hope you realise it could be said that you have a Gross of Tsuba... BaZZa.