gassan sadakazu or not

[bdgrange]

Ayasugi hada very well done.

Sig. looks good with Meiji date and kokuin too.

Maybe seller does not know what he has???

What do you think?

bdgrange

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :IT&ih=013

[Mark]

ayasugi hada is not as well controlled as you might expect, it is almost a flowing masame in spots. I have seen this seller with swords in the past, i would expect he is far from inexperianced. That being said, who knows, it is certainly worth the high bid now

[Curran]

On consignment and with No Papers. There is something about the cutting of the signature that bothers me, and also an issue with the stamp being close but different to few references I have. Still, the smith had a long career. Needs further study.

 

I've dealt with the seller twice before. Both times item was nice but with some damage. Still, price was fair both times. Both had a return policy, though this tanto seems to only have a return policy if not Japanese.

 

As Mark said, at the current price it is worth it even if gimei. Beyond that it is a gamble.

 

Curran

[Marius]

As Mark said, at the current price it is worth it even if gimei.

 

Curran,

 

what is the current price? It;s 18:16 CET and the price is $1,325...

 

Best regards

[Curran]

Price at the time was sub $700. I initially thought this was legit, but had a few concerns. The more I have studied it, the more I have doubts. I checked with someone smarter than me, and they also have serious doubts.

 

It may be legit and a nice Gassan tanto is on my wish list of things I'd like to own, but I will leave this to the gamblers out there. As I've joked before- my day job is as a professional gambler of sorts. When my hobbies feel too much like work, I'm not interested.

 

Some people have had great finds on eBay, including at least one or two that have supposedly gone Juyo. I'll keep to my nice fittings collection. If someone wants to trade a nice papered Sadakazu or Sadakatsu tanto for a fittings+cash- I'm open to negotiation.

 

Curran

[Marius]

 

Some people have had great finds on eBay, including at least one or two that have supposedly gone Juyo.

 

My rules:

 

1. There are no opportunities on eBay, just fair prices if you are lucky

2. Even if I find something that looks like an opportunity, it is not real. Things like this don't happen to me.

3. If the opportunity seems 100% genuine, look at point 1 - it is still valid.

 

The more one wants to convince me, he/she has no clue what he/she is selling ("I am not n expert on Japanese swords, I have got it from a friend, whose father was stationed in Japan in the 50-ies..") the more I know it is some sort of scam (marketing?)

 

Best regards

[Jacques]

Hi,

 

If you want to see a good ayasugi hada:

 

 

Knowing the talent of Gassan Sadakazu i don't wonder if this blade is a fake. It is one of course.

[Curran]

Jacques,

 

Thank you for the photo. Beautiful.

I have looked at a few more examples recently. I agree with your opinion.

[bdgrange]

This went for 5,000. It is worth 10,000. and a nice example.

Should paper as well without spending more.

E bay still offers some good opportunities.

The playing field is level at least.

Always a gamble though.

bdgrange

[Pete Klein]

"This went for 5,000. It is worth 10,000. and a nice example.

Should paper as well without spending more".

 

I am curious about something. In your last post you made a statement of fact followed by a possibility, 'should' paper. On what do you base this appraisal of value and authentication if you are not confident that it will be recognized as shoshin? I am just curious as in your first post you asked 'what do you think' and now you are making a definitive statement. Is this a matter of opinion or some knowledge of the piece we are not privy to? Or perhaps I'm just being a typical Virgo and reading way too much into things -- as usual?

[Curran]

Auction is over now, so those with the courage and energy to stick their necks out please feel free to speak:

I choose to disagree. Think it a nice fake. Too many odd things about the signature. Filing looks a bit off. Hada looks a bit off. Stamp is a bit different in the detail from the reference ones I have for Sadakazu. Wish the best to the new owner. The seller only guaranteed it to be Japanese, which it is. No legit reasons to cancel this auction, so we shouldn't see it again?

 

Why is it worth 10k(?) when I can buy the NBTHK papered one with koshirae and a nice gold mon habaki from a decent dealer for $7500.

 

Counterarguement: horimono and dated would add value.

 

Still, I don't seen is worth 10k. It is a nice looking nihonto fish knife. If legit, it is perhaps a small bargain- but I'd much rather have Jacques example.