Still Looking For Koshirae Help With Ebay Auction

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http://www.ebay.com/itm/Very-Fine-Wakizashi-Koshirae-Chiyo-Total-Length-54-5cm-21-45-inch-w-Tsunagi-/222003384740?hash=item33b06ed1a4:g:tmYAAOSwX~dWo1JC

 

Any opinions on value?

 

[Alex A]

Hi Steven. This is only my opinion and please don't take this the wrong way. This is the 2nd koshirae (I think) you have asked about, please remember that these sellers are trying to make a living and may not want their items scrutinized by everyone on the NMB.

 

If I were you I would hang on for a while until you yourself can work out the true value and know exactly what your buying. Seems like your rushing to buy something, we have all done that, and one or two or more, regretted it.

 

Just my opinion, again.

 

Best.

[Stephen]

offer $250

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Alex sound advice thank you

[Brian]

I think that is a VERY nice koshirae personally. Bit of same damage,can be repaired. It has a lot going for it. Enough pictures?

I like those persimmon menuki, rest of the fittings are very pleasant. I don't think the price is bad either.

Just my 2c from a quick glance. But I have seen a lot worse.

[Stephen]

Cast tsuba

[Brian]

I know it reminds you of your ill fated purchase, but surely not on this one?

 

 

[Ford Hallam]

I'm with Stephen, I don't like the look of that tsuba one little bit. Far too many worrying points to trust it at face value.

 

The birds were possibly designed by the same 6 year old who did the crane on that brass one.

 

Mismatched fuchi kashira (fuchi marginally better quality) but not particularly good work. An assembly of oddments imo. The say is nice enough but I reckon very late maybe even Meiji.

[Stephen]

Gold paint or guild on nanako  birds beak

[Brian]

I defer to better opinions

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Boy this "hobby" can sure be stressful

[Ford Hallam]

Steven, there's an old saying from the 18th century in Europe. If you know nothing of gold at least know your goldsmith

[nagamaki - Franco]

 

 

 The Buddha discovered that the direct causes of suffering are desire or craving, and ignorance.

 

Turn what you've described as a "hobby" into study and discipline. But be prepared for suffering along the way.

 

 

[SteveM]

I agree with every post in this thread. 

 

1. It is (another) lovely and enigmatic saya.

2. It is probably wise to sit out a few rounds before jumping in to a $1500+ purchase

3. Having said that, offering a very low bid for the ensemble might be one way to get your feet wet, if you are indeed determined to get your feet wet.  

4. The bird does in fact look like it had the same 6-year old designer as the bird in the other thread!

 

Take it from a fellow enthusiast whose first purchase was an overpriced sword of dubious provenance; I know what it is like to become fascinated with these things, and to have your heart set on an acquisition. If you are just looking for an antique, I would buy the $400 aogai mijin-nuri saya that you posted in the other thread, and with the money you saved (you mentioned your budget was ~$1500) you can buy some books. Eventually, after your tastes have become settled or refined, you might consider getting a quality set of fuchi/kashira, menuki, and tsuba, and then you'd have something special. (The same could be said for this saya, too, except the entry point for this one, as charming as it is, is quite high). 

[Stephen]

See for sale section...pantry part one...two for yur price..DaiSho.

[Darcy]

Looks like there's a crack in the tsuba too in the bottom photo? 

 

eBay is a place where undiscovered stuff comes out and up to life. It is also a place where junk goes to die. And obviously this is not factoring in the fakes.

 

It's not an easy place for a novice to poke around and turn up something. I bought a couple of vases once from an antiques dealer and they're supposed to be legit Chinese things. I bought them for decoration. I did so knowing that in all likelihood they were fake, but they were cheap and decorative and that's what I was interested in. I still have them. 

 

In the case of a novice going through ebay you're going to encounter all of the pitfalls. I think you're better off looking at Japanese dealers who are selling authentic lower priced items on their own websites and buy from them with some degree of assurance that you're getting legit things. 

 

Come to the place where fakes and junk comes to die when you are well armed, and can shoot them down yourself and try to fight your way to a treasure. Knowing that there are a thousand other treasure seekers doing the same and if they overlooked something you need to consider why.

[Stephen]

casting line, as well as pits

[Alex A]

Steven, as mentioned above its easy to make costly mistakes as an enthusiastic beginner.

 

My first sword I paid twice as much as it was worth, although I didn't realize that until I was a bit more educated through books and talking here.

 

Do I blame the dealer?, no, I blame myself for being IMPULSIVE, UNEDUCATED and NAIVE, amongst other things

 

It is a risky hobby and can be stressful when making purchases, I'm a bag of nerves when the postman arrives, a bit like Christmas, but sometimes with unexpected surprises

 

Great fun, highs and hopefully few lows, education cuts down on the lows, lows are an education, be careful.

[Darcy]

Agree. Being impulsive is probably the open door to buyer's remorse. Acquiring something gives a big dopamine rush. Once it's over, and you have made the kill, now it's yours. Sometimes the marriage is not as enjoyable as the courtship. 

[peterd]

Hi, i think it's real, not cast. Just very poor quality or at least i did ??

[Stephen]

org poster here is the link, nice set of koshirae, or does the saya have to have a wow factor, 

 

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/19143-emptying-out-the-pantry-part-1/

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Thanks all for comments, biggest take away I believe is study . There is too much room for error and I don't think I have felt so uneasy about pulling the trigger on purchases of which I know very little. Thanks all for your advice and time