pcfarrar

Thought I might as well update this old post. I submitted it for shinsa in Japan as I didn't want to have the mei removed without confirmation it was definitely gimei, it failed but was advised to have it removed and resubmit. So after having the mei removed, I resubmitted and it came back as Sandai Soshu Tsunahiro.

Guess you didn’t notice that the website has a few questionable swords on it.

They probably came from the same Edo period sword dealer, easy way to get some extra profit on a sword.

I'd send a letter to the address on the BOR286 form explaining the problem. It's quite possible that they sent the cheque and it got lost in the post...

I had a sword which was sent from Japan and was charged the full rate instead of the 5%. All you need to do is download the form below: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/581510/bor286.pdf Also include a brief letter giving an explanation of why the item is over 100 years old. It took 2 weeks for me to receive a reply, and then 2 weeks later I got a cheque back for the difference.

I’ll take this sword please John.

I'm not very confident but here are my answers: 1. Shape and length suggest shin-shinto, hamon is definitely Bizen and it reminds me of a Sukenaga I saw recently. So my answer is Bizen Yokoyama Sukenaga, Tenpo period. 2. Shape suggests kanbun period, kesho yasurimei just don’t fit with Hizen, I’m guessing it’s possibly an Osaka Shinto smith, my guess is Shinano no Kami Nobuyoshi. 3. Shape suggests koto and the bo-hi terminating in the kissaki is also something you’d expect to see on a koto sword. The hamon is also quite different on both sides particularly in monouchi. It has a nice tight ko-itame jigane visible in places. I’m going to go for Yamato Tegai late kamakura period.

I think it will be this proposal: https://www.change.org/p/sajid-javid-reconsider-the-offensive-weapons-bill-for-fencers-and-hobbyists

I think you’ll be fine it’s not unusual to see odd tracking entries with the Royal Mail. I wouldn’t expect any tracking updates for at least a week yet.

When was the parcel shipped? It's not unusual for it to take 2-3 weeks before you get updates from Australia. It will update on the Australia post website before the Royal Mail site. If you've got an Android/iOS phone, install one of the parcel tracking apps, set the tracking number to australia post and it will notify you the minute the tracking number gets updates.

What does it say when you put the tracking number in the Australian post website?

Parcelforce global priority is your only choice for a long sword in the UK. You definitely can't use Fedex, and that also means you can't use Parcelforce Global Express which is outsourced to Fedex. If it's a tanto you can use Royal Mail tracked and signed but I would still recommend using Parcelforce.

Here’s my Naoaki (has NBTHK Hozon)

When using buyee I always change my item from "weapons" to "antiques" before shipping. It would be much better with buyee if you could actually amend the item description manually instead of having to choose something from a list.

You should be ok then, Roger helped me with a couple of my Hizen and both turned out to be fine after they were sent to Japan. Paul Martin is definitely the best choice, his prices are very reasonable and he has access to the best people in Japan. I will also be sending another blade through his service next year.

He’s not coming until March 2018 to collect swords, but yes Paul Martin is the best choice. Also Grev have you checked with Roger Robertshaw to see if the mei is good?

I would ask Dave Thatcher, I think it is definitely something he would know. http://yoroi.uk/

A few dabs of warm water and then clamp it shut. The hot water should reactivate the rice glue and it will seal again.

Richard Adams or John Bolton. John Bolton makes decent solid silver habaki and is prices are good.

It looks like a bidder wasn't happy with the dragon koshirae he bought from Megtora11 so recently gave him a negative feedback. Complaining about the menuki not being gold or something? https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/s540353707 I assume in time the buyee block will lift as Megtora11 gets more positive feedback...

I bought a koshirae using buyee from a seller who had less than 20 positive feedback a few weeks ago. Megtora11 has 464 good feedbacks so there is no reason for him to be blocked by buyee.

Looks like a bug, I've bought from sellers with very low feedback on buyee without issue.

It's a bit cheaper to post directly from the Parcelforce depot if you have one nearby. You can also sign up for a free parcelforce rewards discount card that gives you 15% off all shipping. You also need to use Parcelforce Global Priority to ship swords to the USA. You get full tracking with this service and it's fast.

It's cheaper on the Apple Book store for People in the UK: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/isbn9781329114791

Looks more like Shoami to me.