oldcodger

Hi all, this will be the first year I will visit this fair. I am expecting to see mostly world war items, but hope to see some good and interesting proper antiques for sale, including of course Nihonto. My last major collecting period was related to scientific instruments, where experience of related fairs was generally good, but with prices over and above those I was seeing elsewhere. Also in the general UK auction world scientific items are plentiful, and museum collections well represented, so a feel for what was right or not could be quickly built up. We all know this is not the case with Nihonto, to the casual observer and novice, most blades appear very similar, but prices vary wildly. For the blade itself, there appear no obvious reasons. So, first impressions are formed by where we can easily recognise different levels of quality, the sword furniture. So, I shall make sure I have a good loup in my pocket, try not to annoy dealers with a barrage of questions, and maybe find something I feel compelled to buy. Nick G

Interesting. are you saying the NBTHK green papersare worthless ? Nick G

I have in the past accumulated a large collection of swords going back to C16th, sold some time ago to make way for a change of collecting direction. During the period I often looked towards Japanese metal, but never made the jump. Now, as a new entrant into the world of Nihonto, I am finding it fascinating. I have made made a few purchases,( including one likely mistake,) and plan to continue. As I read more about age, makers and so forth, the award of Nbthk papers seems to offer some counter ballance for inexperience when spending the amounts of money involved. I understand now that other certificates are available, via London ( NTHK ) and USA ( choose desired certificate type ), and therefore probably other sources. My obvious observation is how open to manipulation by market forces is the award of the certificates, ? and is there a common standard by which they awarded ? Given how limited opportunities are to handle and compare, learning is slow, the number of unsigned blades is high, so, in reality reliable certification, or a dealers opinion seem to be the only real measure of reality. I am, as you might understand from this, v. nervous about descriptions and values, Nick G

I have come across a hand written note in a file that came with a Gerndaito, The note says only, J Weeks polish £250. Does this ring a bell with anyone ? Thx

Hi All. The pictures show the hilt of a Katana I have. As you can see it is v dirty, ingrained in the ray skin, and in the binding. The common approach to this problem, is of course soap and water, plus gentle brush. This approach did NOT cross my mind. However, there must be a method to make it look more presentable. Does anybody out there know what that may be ? Has anybody successfully dealt with something similar ? Thx

thanks to all of you. Your comments are re assuring. I was planning to query the alignment of the mekugi hole in the tsuka, with the hole in the tang. Its a little confusing, because the description relates to brass menuki, partially coverted by the wrapping, but, the tsuka appears to be held on by a wooden peg nearer to the hilt. One hole in the tang su8ggests the wooden peg does the work.. In summary, v nice kashirae and saya, but with recent hole in the tsuka to match it to the tang hole. A bit Heath Robinson ? The question I was planning to ask aligns with the suggestion from Matsunoki, so I will combine both points in my next email to Japan.

Morning all, I have now found an attractive Tanto for sale in Japan, with a dealer experienced with UK challenges. i have put some questions to the dealer, one of which was 'Is the Tzuka/kashirae original to the blade ?' the answer I have is ' not original, but matched to the sword ' the item under consideration is ,mid1800's. Noticing some Nihonto with full kashirae had two or more hole for the Mekugi. I interpret this to mean fittings have been worn out or lost, and therefore replaced through time. what I do not see in the descritiptons of swords is any comment on the originality of the fittings. Does this mean that replacing fittings is an acceptable practice ? How does it affect pricing ? what proportion of tanto's do have original fittings? Any thoughts you would like to share ?

Again, thank you all for your responses. With a bit of luck I can track mr Stewart down, and we can go from there. !

Thx Piers. I am sure you are right in saying they will be busy, but who are they, and where are they.? I would like to make contact. surely that can do no harm ? Thx for joining in everybody, but I think I'll sign off now. Things starting to get a llittle silly. I know I'm new, but I thought the members were supposed to help each other. So far this sounds more like a secret society,

Thx Piers. I am sure you are right in saying they will be busy, but who are they, and where are they.? I would like to make contact. surely that can do no harm ?

Morning everybody, I am looking for a reputable and properly qualified polisher here in UK. I have a Katana which, in the past, has not been stored properly and, consequuently has suffered somewhat. It would be nice to be able to meet face to face for an assessmeent. I live in Hemel hempstead, so south of England would be perfect. Do such skills exist in England ? All thoughts welcome.

thank you both for your replies. I did try yo buy, but it got v difficult whan I asked abvout paperwork, age etc. so I backed off. experience tells I suppose, and I am just begining.

Hiii all, has anybody done business with Shogun Antiques. On ebay U.S. but out of Japan. some interesting blades , but no attempt to date any of them.

Tanto, period/name atributal. circa $1000. wooden scabard ok. location u.k.