Gassan Blade, Is This For Real?

[Aldwin]

I'm not sure if this is the appropriate section of the forum to post this, but this is about an seller online, so I hope this is the correct one.

 

An online seller called "Samurai Katana Sword Philippines", who sells locally made "Japanese swords", is claiming to have a contact with the "Gassan forge team" and is selling a blade that's made by "Gassan".

 

Here's is his post on Facebook:

 

 

Some higher resolution photos:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to the photos on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samuraikatanaswordphilippines/posts/858555404222485

 

He even posted a conversation with the "Gassan forge team" publicly on his Facebook page as "proof" that the sword is not a Chinese fake.

 

 

 

 

I have very heavy doubts this guy is selling a Gassan blade because this person is known to be deceitful. He has about 900+ followers on his Facebook which I believe don't know much about Japanese swords, that's why he's able to deceive them.

Several months ago, he posted a video of a "Japanese sword" cutting a nail: https://www.facebook.com/samuraikatanaswordphilippines/videos/819933198084706/

Someone commented asking if the sword in the video is made in Japan, and he answered "yes".

Just judging it on the koshirae, I can say that the sword in the video is neither made in Japan nor by a Japanese swordsmith. The truth is the sword is made in Indonesia. The license plate number on the motorcycle proves it.

 

 

 

This guy also has a closed Facebook group where he posted photos of swords obviously made in China and claims they're made in Japan and signed by Gassan Sadatoshi. Unfortunately, all members of his group don't know anything about Japanese swords and he delete members who "provide too much information".

 

 

 

 

 

Going back to the Gassan blade, I tried to search for the origin of the photos and I found these pages on Facebook:

 

https://www.facebook.com/TaikushiSamuraiSword

https://www.facebook.com/TaikushiBrand

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Taikushi-Thailand/752808521455272

 

 

I don't know much about this Taikushi company, but I can say that some of the swords posted on their pages are made in China.

 

What do you think of all this? Is the Gassan blade real? Does this guy or Taikushi has a contact with the "Gassan forge team"? I would really appreciate your thoughts on this, it hurts to see people losing their hard earned money.

 

Regards,

 

Aldwin

[Marius]

What on earth is the "Gassan forge team"?  What kind of FB babble is that? 

 

Haven't you answered your question yourself already saying that "This guy also has a closed Facebook group where he posted photos of swords obviously made in China and claims they're made in Japan and signed by Gassan Sadatoshi. Unfortunately, all members of his group don't know anything about Japanese swords and he delete members who "provide too much information". ???

 

I think it is pretty obvious. You want a Gassan, go to Gassan or a reputable dealer.

[Aldwin]

Thanks for your reply Marius. I'd definitely go to Gassan or a reputable dealer if I want a Gassan blade. But I would like to know about the blade in question, is it really a Gassan blade?

Chinese sword makers have improved a lot in making a katana that it's making it harder for less knowledgeable people to know what is real or not. That's why I asked help to verify if the sword is real. For all we know, they're also making fake origami.

[SwordGuyJoe]

Could be gassan. I can't get a decent look at details, but from what little detail I can see, the horimono and hamon look like it might be sadayuki's work - I emphasize the "might" in that sentence.

 

I haven't studied the gassan school enough to give a thumbs up on the mei, but I'd say a strong maybe.

[Stephen]

i would just consider the pix stolen 

[Brian]

Yeah..what he said.

I would guess the sword is real, but he doesn't have it.

Hope I'm wrong.

[SwordGuyJoe]

Yeah - I agree with you two. Sword is likely legit, now whether he actually has it? That's a different question.

[Aldwin]

Thanks for your replies. I also thought the sword is real, I just had to confirm it with the people here. As for the question if he has it, I can definitely say he doesn't have it in his hands. Those photos came from the 3 other Facebook pages from Thailand who also claims they sell this sword. Anybody here from Thailand who can verify this Taikushi company?

 

I also have the same question as Marius, what on earth is the "Gassan forge team"?