Brian

Yip, sorry

Sigh. I have an open mind, really I do. But this is weaponry. Yes, it's art...but the basis is still weaponry. How his forte for inclusiveness and the avantgarde in art is going to assist in his efforts to present Japanese swords, Lord only knows. Perhaps we will have a thesis on the sword as symbol of Japanese virility or how a Samurai's sword compensated for his lack of manhood. Maybe I should just keep quiet. Oh dear. Edit to add: Oh dear. Above I said "his forte..." and "his efforts" I meant of course "their" forte and efforts. Wouldn't want the internet to cancel me.

Bottom of the thread, there is a box. Just type your reply in there. Then click Submit reply.

Anyone? Can we at least maybe agree if this is Japanese or Chinese?

Gerry, just type your reply. No need to put it in any box or press anything else. Just type your reply, add the pic and submit.

Hi all, A friend's company was gifted this many years ago by an old lady, and she asked me if I am able to get any info on it. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be any painter/artist name on it, so I expect it's a low quality mass produced piece, maybe Meiji onwards? I am not sure if it's Chinese or Japanese, the gut feel is a Chinese landscape but maybe done by a Japanese person? Also not sure, but suspect it's done on fabric or silk. Is anyone able to assist with any info or a translation? I think a certain mountain is mentioned there. Thanks in advance.

There's a small chance I may be going to assist someone to sell some high end armor. Hmmmmm

I agree with Colin, and the gold content can go down very low as Ford once mentioned. Plus I don't think those are all shakudo. Especially not the first.

Perfectly captured utsuri

Actually...I do yes. I have a fairly well stocked workshop, very proud of it :-)

Have a large one at home, I'll need to pull it out and take pics

I'm also in the "average Soten school tsuba" camp. Nothing top, but not just. As for value...I guess you would pay $400 or so for one in a shop or a dealer? That is a wild guess though, I may easily stand corrected

I'd say the quality is definitely there.

I'll message you what I have on behalf of the seller.

All upside down. Edit them on your phone etc, and resave. That will lock the orientation. Then edit your post, and re-upload to get them the right way round.

No, it dries like hard plastic. Not sticky or anything. The only risk would be getting some under a loose piece

Maybe message Raymond Yan on FB. He seems to have a steady supply of them at good prices, and lists them on one of the groups. https://www.facebook.com/raymond.yan.950241

Howard, Google polymorph plastics. There are a ton of varieties. Usually warm water softens them, and as they cool, they get hard. Great for working out shapes such as missing brass sheet inlays on tanegashima etc.

If the missing pieces are inlayey, although it would take ages, I don't see why someone wouldn't be able to take impressions using one of the moldeable plastics that get soft when you put them in hot water, then harden. This will give you the shape. The transfer to thin sheets of MOP...freely available at places like https://lumea.co/products/inlay-surfaces/veneers Then cut them out or grind slightly with a Dremel, and replace the main ones.

You can be pretty sure it's gimei. Komonjo's source in Japan would only be exporting swords that were already tested there. These aren't USA sourced swords. I'd say any real feelings that it's shoshin are likely misplaced. That said, it looks like a decent sword.

John, Awesome job. You should consider offering these to the JSSUS for publication in their newsletters. @Grey Doffin?

Habaki does NOT go through the tsuba. From the front it's habaki --> seppa (easy enough to source or make) then tsuba, then seppa, then fuchi that sits on the tsuka. You need to take everything apart and get everything complete before refitting. The tsuba isn't the right one for this blade, but can be made to fit by using copper inserts hammered into the nakago ana. Or find another tsuba.

@Curran can probably tell you more, but there were numerous groups signing Nobuie that are considered legit, but not by THE man or his workshop. Perfectly legit tsuba, but you need to delve into the whole "wide spaced mei" and other variations, and it's a whole rabbit hole.

Remember that gimei just means the signature is false, not that the sword is. This is almost certainly a genuine Japanese sword, and likely antique. Even without the signature, it's a nice piece and worthy of looking after. Yes..you have a genuine antique Japanese sword that looks to be traditionally made.

Even mass produced Gunto were still hammered/individually constructed by smiths. Only the Type 95 was machine made and stamped out and fairly uniform. The rest still vary and you can't just interchange parts and scabbards.