Brian

Have to wonder though. If the kissaki takes damage, and you lose the boshi, it's considered a fatal flaw. The sword cannot perform as designed, right? But Katana and tachi are cutting weapons. How often where they used to stab? Surely most of the work is done in the monouchi area? Which may well be completely intact. 98% of what the sword would required to do, can still be done. Even if a katana is shortened from the front to wakizashi size, you wouldn't use the kissaki in most cases. Cutting edge remains. I think this is more about the art aspect and completeness than actual functionality.

To me looks like a Paul Chen or other modern sword.

It's VERY fake. Sorry. So the inscription is pointless. Made in China to deceive.

As mentioned, what the writing says isn't important, as it isn't what led to the call of fake. The item is 100% fake, so the writing is pointless. There is nothing here really looking real at all. It's an easy call.

TBH, the second you see that flag on the habaki, you know it's a fake. That's a dead giveaway, there are NO examples of real ones with this common engraving on the habaki.

The info in there currently is truly amazing, sometimes even I forget to browse there and see how much info we have. Thanks for your considerable efforts Mal.

In my review, that still stands, I regard this as one of the mostly beautifully done, and most impressive books on the subject anywhere out there. I have nothing but huge praise for the author and his publication. If you have the means, you definitely need this.

Not sure why the lack of importance given to titles suddenly means we think less of the smiths. Why have you attached the title to the importance of the swordsmith? We appreciate and study the swords by these swordsmiths regardless of their titles. Just because we don't regard the titles as adding to their reputation, doesn't mean we don't regard the swords highly. You seem to imply if we don't appreciate the title then we consider the smith himself and his swords as not historically important? That would be very wrong. We prove we respect and preserve them just by being here. Focusing on the title is actually doing the opposite of what you are implying. Are you saying the ones without titles are worthy of less respect?

Very lovely textbook example!

Wish you luck in getting it back. Stuff like this is a niche market and very identifiable, so hoping someone spots it. Don't want more stickies right now, but maybe will look at adding a separate page just for stolen items, let me see what I can do.

Maybe doesn't even represent a specific bird, maybe just birds without a species. Never know...

Actually, I really love that depiction of birds..likely geese. It is so "modern" that the depiction that way can only come from a nation that sees images depicted in bonji. A very futuristic depiction of a bird seen through an artist's eyes :-)

Take the current status of "Lord" in the UK for an example. I am not sure exactly how you gain it, but I think by owning an estate or something similar. Does anyone really care that Mt Fontleroy can call himself Lord Fontleroy? Not really. Historically, it's of little importance. Same with these titles. It didn't change the status of their blades...or if it did, then by very little. The swords are judged on their own merits, and I don't know of anyone that values a sword higher because it is signed with an honorific title. But the swords are evaluated on their own for quality and historical significance. The title really is of little concern. This seem to bother you a bit, and I am not sure why.

Yeah, just in case that was an AI post to promote the link that was included, I have removed the url. Wonder if AI is doing semi relevant posts now to promote links. Hmmm. Luckily we have a decent membership that looks out for stuff like that and reports it. So anyone who hides promo stuff in posts isn't getting the promo they expect for more than a few minutes.

Good to see you again Jon. Hope things are well.

An occasional stutter is to be expected, could have been a server reboot or maintenance. Let me know if it persists or happens often.

Looks like someone started a polish and then abandoned it. More than a window it seems. I wonder if they found a hagire or other fatal flaw?

This is not a sales section. Make a new post there.

Yes you do. And if I find out people are giving fake first names, I'll suspend them or take action. There is nothing wrong with a forum requiring at least a first name. Either in your username, or your signature, or signing your posts. We don't even require a surname or even an initial. So if that's too much for people to bear, then this isn't the place for them. Even a nickname based on your first name is tolerated, such as Hamish with his "Hamfish" That is at least making an effort. But some anonymous name and refusing to give a name we can call you by? Sorry...then this is the wrong sandpit for you. No, we don't delete accounts. This isn't an airport, no need to announce your departure. Just don't log in.

We REQUIRE at least a first name. No-one wants to address you as either Mr Ninja, or just Forest. If you wish to ignore that rule, then my advice is run Forest, run.

I think you are giving the whole title thing too much status. They weren't a real title, and came with no privileges. Often a smith was "lord" of an area he didn't even live in. There was no qualification required and I don't think he submitted any sword for evaluation. They are not seen as any real form of status or quality. Just look at home many were given out https://www.sho-shin.com/titles.htm I don't think a title is ever really considered by a collector when looking at the quality of a sword

Jean, some interesting research has been done... Note, if any of these break copyright, let me know and I'll delete them Kuji Iron Sands.pdf Characteristic_Feature_Found_in_Typical_TATARA-Product-Japanese-Sword.pdf Control_of_slag_and_inclusions_in_traditional_Japanese_iron_and-steelmaking.pdf

Nothing stops smiths adding various elements and other materials while forging it, to get the desired characteristics. It's not like they are forbidden from altering the recipe while they forge. I don't think it's a huge problem.

Fact is there are pirated copies of many books online, we just try not to mention or discuss it. But I am sure many if not most collectors know there are illegitimate electronic versions of everything from Connoisseurs, to Haynes to Hawley. Am sure Markus battles with it too. It's the nature of the internet. But we try stick to copyright here, and the download above falls within that as Brett said. Grey, sorry they used your description.

Nakago. Not nagado.