Lindus

Stephen...did not see you as green..... Roy

I am going to sell my Japanese woodblock print collection, could any member recomend a good forum/site. Thanks Roy

Again, of course but the it was a warning for those not in the "Yoda"{not sure what that means in Nihonto terms} who are viewuing UK auctions. Bit like a virus alert to those luddites like me.... should add as with any subject you need to know the question befor asking,sadly I had an email today from a newbie who was thrilled that his first purchase had such an outstanding Grain{Hada}...............you can guess. Roy

Think as the chap on the kashima sisters site said way back, any good refined mineral or vegetable oil was as good if not better than Choji. Roy

Of course, I have been there and seen some of the stuff in museums, but with due respect I think you missed the point. Roy

Yes the sword is by Narisada possibly Echizen province circa1624. Fujiwara Narisada is the only smith of this name in that period, also signed Hitachi ome Narisada & Hitachi Daijo Shimosaka Narisada. Not highly rated at the ime of Hawleys publication but would suggest that you check it out on the web. http://www.collectorsloot.homestead.com Roy

Try useing a flat bed scanner. Roy

Found this in my old record sheets from the 80's, any ideas on the parachute emblem? Roy

Hi Kevin, your right to some extent, I remember in the 80's when collectors did not want gunto mounted swords, they would send a set of civil mounts and either I would make and lacquer a saya, form the Tsuka which a chap in the UK would apply sam'e and wrap, or produce a shirasaya. In the 90's I sold via ebay 15 sets of shin Gunto,three kai and one Kyu mounts...bitterly regrette this now but it was of the time when gunto was almost a bad word. Consolation is that then there were no fakes flooding the market place. Roy

Shipping not a real problem, insured is another entirely, see my comments re the new exclusions instituted by virtually all first rank carriers. Roy

The nanako does not seem that good,correct me but great skill was involved in hollow punching nanako and this although good enough seems to lack that. Roy

I would go with Stephen on this, as to the cutting of the mei standing too proud, that would depend on usage and even if the owners saw it as a treasure......check out the mei on my Shigetaka illustrated in the question on the smith a little way back. Roy

Had an interesting conversation this evening with an old friend who deals in Militaria, seems that,and this applies to the UK collectors, he has seen three swords, two in shin gunto and one in Kyu gunto mounts with Chinese blades all in south west auctions. The mounts as far as he could see were genuine and while the blades looked ok at first the nakago's were a give away. I would guess that this is quite a profitable operation where a decent sword can be put in shira saya and for a few pounds you buy a dozen fake blade with the hope of one or two fitting the mounts. Be carefull out there chaps, the blade construction will get better as will the nakago's and mei. Roy

Let me add a positive on this,it could be the best sword you could buy at this stage,not expensive,has what appears to be a genuine Kai Gunto saya with Shin gunto mounts but a Chinese blade and a "Bitsy" sword over all. You have by now learned a lot,you will check out sites,museums etc so consider this sword the key to your learning curve. Cheer up we have all been there, I remember my first civil mounted Wakizashi described as" Chisel tipped throat stabbing Ninja sword" never bought another......but wait...we shall see how many know just how rare the "Throat stabber" is :D Roy

Another way far less likely to kill anyone with flying metal splinters, check inside the Kogai/Kodzuka ana, often you will see a tiny ridge running all around the center of the interior where the mould meets and can sometimes bee seen on the mimi. Roy

Well should have done this prior to posting,Mr Google is a splendid thing, still anyone know about him in the sword world?. Roy....... lija Lakicevic messages Ilija Lakicevic is Prophet Elijah returned, as Tesla recently has confirmed "Ah, that he is ...". He is the first SPIRITUAL PHYSICIST to become telepathic, under the guidance of Helen. He is a Research Professor, understanding the principles behind the workings and the movement of energy, opening up interdimensional realms, operating in many different realms, bringing in a new element -- The New Energy -- an energy that has as yet not been described. It is defined as energy that is not vibrational, but rather, as energy that is expansional -- expansional in every direction at one time. He is a member of a group completing a new energy device for production of electricity without cost. E-mail: ils@net.yu

Just had this email,anyone know the man or am I in for a real bargain....... Roy Dear Sir, I posses the Samurai sword Katana from 1038 with original certificate and all documentation. Please reply to my mail so I could attach the complete file and send you back to see it and to give me an advice how to sell it. Thanking you ina advance, Respectfully, Prof. Ilija Lakicevic

I saw this and would say that at that price it was "As cheap as Frites" the blade would polish, the saya is easily repaired and worth a go. The current situation in the sword world of only buying assured items is foolish,throw a few sheckles at it and have some fun . Roy

Have had a couple of swords by this school,apparently they are currently being up rated in Japan?. This I am told is first generation. Roy

It is now time to start selling my small collection of woodblock prints, befor that I would ask any members to look at this, it came from the Dr FATurk collection in the eighties, he typed out the label which is attached to the only framed print that he gave to my wife. While I appreciate that this is a sword site this will I thinks be appreciated by all members if indeed it is as old as he thought. The print I think is quite fragile and although it appears faded, it has never been in direct sunlight. Your thoughts on this would be appreciated,also some idea of value,of course if a sale follows the nmb will benefit in the same way that my last sale on the site did. I have mentioned my old teacher many times and should ad this, he wrote several books in the 60,s,applicable to this is "The Prints of Japan" Arco publications,1966,Ebenezer Baylis and sons Ltd,Trinity press. "To signora Adriana Boscaro,Venezia-Cornwall,1963" For whats that worth. Thanks Roy

As the whole German/Japanese submarine era was way out of my interest zone at the time I requested information on a German site, these photographs were emailed to me by Herr Ockart in the early/mid eighties. Roy

Thought that I should have shown the sword as well.... Roy

Thats absolutely splendid gentlemen, I sold the sword and stand a while back on my set aside system but it was one of the most interesting finds of my collecting adventure. I wish I had asked more questions at the time but dont we all now.....as the collection goes to various parts of the world I find a need to add where ever I can to the history even though the item is no longer in my possession....is that odd?. Will pass onto the new owner whatever I can find out, great hobby is it not. Roy

:D My fault of course Thanks as usual Roy

Would appreciate any Japanese members translation of these characters applied to a Showa period Tachi stand. These are applied in I think a white metal. Roy