Brian

You see max! Looking at all those good swords in polish has totally ruined your eyes for out of polish, average stuff. You should stop looking at good swords, and spend more time on eBay or flea markets! Just kidding folks! It is just a parody. Do NOT follow that advice. :lol: Max, without showing decent hada or hamon, I am not sure how far we can get with it. Anything would just be a bad guess. You already know that you should be sending it for at least a window to see what is under there and an opinion. Cheap opinions are very often only worth what they cost Pics are a bit dark for me, maybe someone can see something that will lead to some hints. Wish I was in the position to go for TH or nothing Brian

Thank you very much Morita san. I think it would be very hard to find a picture of 4 of these yari together. They are fairly rare, and I have yet to see one for sale. I think many of these were converted to tanto. Dr Stein has this to say about them: Fascinating picture. Does anyone have one of these in their collection? Brian

Thanks for the link Martin. Maybe not having that artist's eye, I am not as doubtful as to the item's existence as Ford, but I think before we find a disagreement where there isn't one, I think I will point out that no-one here is calling this a good tsuba by any means, whether it is one, was one, or will never be one. No arguments that as a tsuba, it is bad. As a random iron work, it isn't good either. Maybe as an example of late Meiji period export work it is valid (assuming it is that) but even without the laquer and filling of the ana, it is just plain mediocrity I think. Worst case scenario, it is a plate of iron with laquer added to try and "doll it up" to make it more attractive. Best case scenario, it is a bad tsuba that was messed with to "doll it up" to fool Westerners. Either way, unless you collect Meiji period laquer work that was made for Westerners, it isn't all that interesting to a tsuba collector. I have no doubt there are good tsuba out there with laquer added later for the export market or otherwise, but this isn't one. Agreed? Brian

Ian, We certainly don't mind counter points of course, they lead to interesting discussions. I'll give it to you that rotated, the design doesn't appear as bad, and might not be upside down. However (and i did consider the meiji lacqerwork theory) the ana would have no place on the tsuba if it was not cut out, and if it was just filled, then the shape was bad to begin with. I would put the theory forward (hesitantly) that maybe this was made as a late Meiji tourist trinket piece, but its origin was just based on a tsuba design, and it was never one to begin with? Discuss. Brian Edit to remove the rotated pic that I see Stephen just took care of

Max, That's just nasty teasing us with that as an eBay find. Very nice set indeed. So nice...I think it belongs on display here at my house instread of in your closet (I assume that is metaphorically speaking ) I think the hitsu ana (or bitsu?) have been altered at some stage, but otherwise it looks like nice work indeed. Brian

Stan, What Ford meant was that in this case, the base is iron, not bronze. Not on all tsuba. In most cases the alloys won't be bronze as such, but a Japanese alloy, and I guess novices just call it bronze. Ford is just poking fun at the fantasy aspect of this one...it does look like a joke photoshop job. Don't take the comments about it not existing too literally In this case, you learned a bit about tsuba..which is far more valuable than a bid on this oddity. Don't worry..we all start off from scratch and learn from there. I would love to know what this does end up selling for. Brian

Donovan I haven't translated the kogatana yet, but does look like a nice kozuka. Remember that the mei on a kogatana is very seldom anything special and they seem to use all sorts of important names on them, but I would go so far as to say that most times, the mei on a kogatana is of no real relevance. If there is a signature on the back of the kozuka though..then that is usually a different story. The kozuka is the most important part, with the blade secondary. I like it though, although I have no info on it. Late Edo? Might even be a fair deal. Brian

More than doubtful Might just be a dedication or patriotic type statement. I have seen WW2 tanto with Kotetsu on them. Maybe something to do with spirit or sentiment? Brian

This one actually made me laugh. If it is as it appears, someone went to town on an iron tsuba. As pointed out, the tsuba is upside down. So if you turn it the right way up, then the design and butterfly are upside down. So whover did it didn't have a clue about tsuba. Also the design totally ignores the fact that you have a seppa placed over some of the lacquer. Some good points to look for when examining a tsuba at first. Brian

My boss is Chinese, as are some of my friends, so I'll just say point taken Milt...and I know the comments were directed at the products and not at the nation. We'll be more careful though. Brian

Just my humble opionion... It does look like it had acid used to bring out the hada. This doesn't look like a stone polish. Note that acid is used to bring out hada and hamon...not nie and nioi. In fact it obscures ni and nioi occasionally. However I do think this is genuine, and the name Amahide does seem to come up every time we see this prominent hada. It seems to me from the recent posts with this type of hada, that some smiths (Amahide and others) might have used a different steel and/or forging technique that made the hada and hataraki appear different to the ones we are used to. Possibly a hybrid type of polish used back then, or the type of steel/forging led to this characteristic? I am not sure how this sword would be classified..and whether it was oil or water tempered. I do think a traditional polish would be much more subdued though. Brian

The most interesting item does appear to be the tsuba. Milt has a good point..are those lumpy bones on the mimi? Or is it a bamboo theme mimi? Maybe they are a bit regular to be bones, but would like to see a few pics of the mimi if you have them. Brian

Alan, As Reinhard was saying, the process of sharpening and polishing are the same thing. A sword that is polished, will be sharpened at the same time unless there is a reason that the owner doesn't want a cutting edge (I can think of no reason that would explain that) How "unsharp" is it? As for the torokusho, that is just a Japanese licence that shows the sword is registered. It doesn't say anything about the age or quality, and has to remain in Japan when the sword is deregistered and exported. The fact that they made you a photocopy just means the sword was legally exported. To be honest, there isn't much to say about the sword. You were after a cheap example of a Japanese sword with koshirae, and you got it. Not a hidden treasure, just an example of what you were after..a genuine Japanese sword with a few hundred years on it. Fair fittings, blade has had a quick polish that looks a bit heavy on the hadori. You said you don't want to get into collecting. If this one sparks an interest, then maybe the next one will be a step up until you get hooked like the rest of us. Regards, Brian

Japanese dragon = 3 claws/toes Korean dragon = 4 claws/toes Chinese dragon = 5 claws/toes Brian

Peter, My guess is shortened slightly, not greatly. At least a Shinto in my humble guess. That recent extra ana could have been done at any time by someone who remounted the tsuka badly. The lower one is likely the original one (unless it is o-suriage which isn't the impression I get) I don't think you will easily narrow the age down much further in that condition, but likely a few hundred years old imho. Brian

John, lovely looking kozuka, I am holding thumbs there is no damage. If there turns out to be any, then you should approach Po for a full refund. I would look for repaired and restamped nanako, as there doesn't appear to be any missing. Anyways, best way is to examine it closely when it arrives. Regards, Brian

All, Simon asked me to to please ask those that he sent his email address to, and who haven't been corresponding with him, to please drop him an email. He didn't get all of your email addresses on record. Those applicable should have his email address. If anyone else wishes to get hold of him, you can let me know and I'll forward any requests. Thanks, Brian

Well..obviously someone did, whether prior or post haitorei. Overall impression isn't too bad either. Not great work by any means, but I have seen worse. Not all swords were carried by samurai of course, there were probably more merchants and others during those later times that owned them, and if you look at the fashions outside nowdays, it is all too obvious how tastes vary. As Stephen said, without anything new and revealing to add to the swords, I consider this one done. Reinhard, a new topic about this Henri Spörry might be an interesting thread, sounds like an interesting guy. Brian

Maybe he means that the woman depicted is old :lol: Brian

Just as long as you don't get the customs treatment I have received lately. Them: "We are charging you 30% import duty on this sword you just imported" Me: " But it has the correct customs tarriff code and is clearly described as an antique Japanese sword" Them: "We need proof in writing that it is an antique" Me: "What kind of proof will you accept" Them: "Some certificate of authenticity" Me: "Will you let me get a society or organisation to come here and declare it?" Them: "No. We want a certificate of authenticity" Me: "But that doesn't exist. What kind of certificate? It is clearly antique and out of polish, and it would cost me a fortune to send it to Japan to get papers" Them: "We won't accept papers from Japan..they must be in English. A certificate of authenticity" Me: "Umm...can you describe the certificate or tell me what you need, so that I can get it?" Them: "No..we want a certificate. From someone we can hold liable" Me: "So what can I give you now to prove it is antique" Them: "You will show us a certificate of authenticity or you will pay the 30%" A later conversation with them turned up the fact that they won't accept origami from Japan, they would not accept a certificate from the JSSUS or the NCJSC, they wouldn't accept a declararation from the seller. They just wanted some certificate, but couldn't tell me where to get it, or what they would accept. They did mention a letter "From the Ministry of culture in Japan, through the American consulate??!! would be ok. 3 Other collectors subsequently had the same problems. I paid my 30%. A high level meeting had some success, but no real finite conclusion. Right now I am not sure of the status of imports here. Some get through, some not. Mid level swords that are not from reputable auction houses are a problem. They make the rules, and take your cash. You think you have problems? Brian

Reasons to watch the community forum viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2746 It should have been a separate post I guess. Maybe there is a chance of cancelled slots? Brian

As I explained to Simon via pm, there is no need to delete an account. If anyone doesn't want to read or post, then simply don't read or post? Perhaps in the future things improve and you wish to post something..or someone makes an offer you can't refuse? Seems kinda pointless to me to deregister. There are lots of forums I once joined and now don't visit anymore. This is the internet. I think that when someone pushes for an account to be deleted instead of just going dormant, then it is more likely they are only trying to prove a point or make a statement, which does seem a little umm..er.. yeah. Many people have given you good reasons to stay, and thanks to all those who commented, whether good or bad. I have addressed a lot of it via pm's and emails a while ago, and have seen positive changes. Sometimes we just need to learn to have a thick skin, and accept that some will be blunt when telling the truth. It doesn't help anyone's education when we are all afraid to call junk, junk. However I have already addressed the issue of politely telling someone that, and backing it up with an explanation. Rudeness is not tolerated here. If you see it, report it! Bluntness is a fine line, so if you are going to be blunt, then I do expect an explanation of why you are saying that. There are far too many good posts and topics here to let a tiny percentage get to me. Isn't it human nature that we coast through the good stuff, and only climb on the soap box when we see something bad. Oh well..I tried, so in line with Simon's wishes, I will deactivate the account. All the best Simon, wish you well. Brian

They have just added 3 new articles that are well worth a read, including one on restoration/polishing, one light hearted one by Clive Sinclair and a good one on oshigata. Links are at: http://www.to-ken.com/articles/Preserva ... ishing.htm , http://www.to-ken.com/articles/JustKendo.htm and http://www.to-ken.com/articles/drawingoshigata.htm Membership is also open again for those interested. Regards, Brian

I cropped, rotated and resized to make them a bit easier to view, hope this helps someone. Brian