Brian

Reinhard, I really don't mind people calling something crap as long as they elaborate on it and explain why, as you have done above. What you said is exactly what I was trying diplomatically to say too. Seems to me the artist has knowledge of the Japanese history and what he is trying to portray, but not the knowledge to do it in the Japanese way of a master tosogu artist. He clearly knows the subject matter, and this hints to me that he might be a more modern (non classical) tsuba apprentice or hobbyist? I agree with you on the waves, they are stylish but not Japanese to my eyes. I hope we can get more input from others here, as this is a good topic for debate, and something we can all learn from hopefully. Brian

I like it, but I'm worried about possible retempering or hidden hagire: I really really want this blade, but I'm going to do my best to get the price down. That's a bit more than I wanted to pay: Until you start crying, I know you can drop the price a bit more. I haven't had the mei checked out yet, so I am selling it as gimei: I have had the mei checked out by everyone, and it is gimei. I am not really interested in the mounts, it is the blade I am interested in: I want the entire package for the price of the blade, even though I love the mounts. This one look like it might be a sleeper: It's a dog. It is a mumei Gendaito with muji hada, just needs a good polish: It is a bar stock gunto made from a railroad track. It would make a nice Iaido piece when cleaned up: It has no traces of collectibility and is only good for swinging. Am I too cynical? :lol: Brian

Well..it is a fact that the entire Star Wars and even Darth Vader were loosely based on the Samurai. Just a useless bit of info. Brian

I won't claim to have followed my own advice initially. On first impression, I also saw an impressive looking tsuba with lots of fancy details and looking quite well done. I have a long chat with Ford about it, and am pleased he posted it, as I think it will provide an excellent discussion if the tsuba guys care to share their opinions. As I started looking at the details closer after my chat with Ford, some glaring irregularities became apparent. The foam on the water is really overdone, and looks like the artist got carried away with the technique. The expression on the horse contains satire which I wasn't expecting on this work. The way the tachi encroaches on the seppa dai, while not impossible, seems a-typical and the shape isn't well done. The details overlapping onto the mimi seem excessive and overdone. The sekigane as pointed out seem to have been done unconventionally and look odd. The artist obviously has Japanese knowledge and skill, but the way it all comes together seems to me to be contrary to the conventional aesthetic. It seems possible and even logical to me that this might be an experiment in technique by someone working much later than I originally thought. I don't claim to be sure of my observations, but I am eager to hear opinions and more about this one. I really need to borrow a pair of artist's eyes for a while Brian

Kevin, Without hitting the books (cold and time for bed) I find this quite a good intro to the school. Maybe it will assist with the attribution: http://tsuba.jyuluck-do.com/NaraSchool.html Regards, Brian Also found this:

I think it says: "The owner of this sword owes me $500 for this attribution" :D :lol: So sorry for the OT Jean..I couldn't resist I will slap myself on the wrist now. Brian

Alan, Depends on what you are looking for? Both of these are likely to go higher than they should. The waki doesn't do much for me. Open grain, no wow factor. Average. The shinshinto does look quite nice, but was probably an iai piece, and the fittings might be modern I think. Nice, but it will likely go over $2000-2500 probably. Rather decide what you are looking for, what you want to spend, and then see if anyone here can suggest something. Better than fishing on eBay. Brian

That kanemitsu must be mind-blowing. This one is papered Juyo Bunkazai (taken from http://www.jp-sword.com/files/masamune/masamune.html ) Must be a trick of the light or photo cropping..as the nakago-jiri seems to differ a bit. Brian

Swords for sale in department stores. *Sigh* I really do live in the wrong country. Sounds like a good chance if you are anywhere near there. Thanks for the heads-up Koichi and Guido. Brian

Hi John(s) Taken from http://home.earthlink.net/~jggilbert/glossary.htm : Sea appears a little..umm..er.... frothy? Brian

Look closely at everything, and not just the first impression. In this game, first impressions aren't usually the ones that count. Brian Ps - My...what a happy looking horse.

The nakago just doesn't look like the right shape to me. If this is a Showato (no proof yet that it is a Gendaito) as claimed then I would expect it is possibly the forward part of a broken wartime blade that was reshaped and patinated. Just my theory. Brian

Definitely not papered obviously. Probably with some minor flaws and out of polish. Wakizashi, not katana or tanto. You should find something that is genuine and in low class fittings, but I think it is do-able. Some will have issues with spending so little and trying to get a reasonable piece, but you have been honest and said you won't collect and just want a representative item, so if that is where you want to go, then I am sure something can be found. Just read up on how to treat, clean and maintain it. Brian

Thanks for the correction Malcolm, the original is here: They have a great reputation on the forum, and have some really good short info articles here Brian

Here you go: Tying fusahimo http://reviews.ebay.com/Katanabukuro-Fu ... 0004017408 http://www.shibuiswords.com/tiecord.htm Brian

Ok..now is that in your "for show" section or your "for sale" section? I don't quite get esnips sometimes, and on dial up it is pretty frustrating. Not for sale is it? Very nice. Brian

John, Very nice, we are all jealous. There is something about jumonji yari that makes them have lots of fans. I am sure you felt it Have you got an agent arranging the export, or is the dealer doing that? Brian

I see Simon Rowson is also mentioned in the credits in the beginning. Nice to have 2 members here mentioned. If we keep up with all the new info here, oneday maybe the forum will be a quoted source of info for a published article or 2 Brian

The fukure is a flaw formed under the surface during forging. It opens up later once the sword has been polished and the surface steel has been polished away as John said. Sometimes you can see them as blisters before they open up. They can be like an iceberg...small amount showing on the surface, with a large area underneath. Nasty flaw looks-wise. Brian

Nick, I wouldn't go the iodine route. I can see no real positive aspect to it, except for giving a totally different artiificial look to the one it has now. The art of tsuba and nakago repatination is one of the most complex and closely guarded of all the procedures. If it was simple, everyone would be doing it, instead of a handful of professionals. There are many tips ranging from hanging up in an outdoors latrine, to the carrying in a pocket with a soft cloth, to the years worth of light rubbing. Ingredients range from nose and forehead oil to various noxious concoctions. I believe Ford had some info on it, on the old carving path forum. I am not sure if he has posted it on his new forum yet, I will have to check. The old thread is here: http://www.thecarvingpath.net/forum/ind ... topic=1016 It is very involved and takes a real artist to get right. Anything else just looks artificial. I wish I could give you better news, but at the end of the day this is something for a professional who is an expert on the true methods. If you do decide to give it a try yourself, make sure it is on a worn out and fairly average plain tsuba, and don't try the "quickie" methods as none are really worth much. Regards, Brian

The Japanese swordsmiths were not known for taking short-cuts or the easy way out :D :lol: Brian

Well....we've seen gimei signatures that were lesser quality than the work itself..so anything is possible :lol: Not saying it was an attempt to add a better name. Could be a broken nakago that was badly repaired. Could be the guy who did it didn't know it was a Showa smith. Could be nothing wrong with it at all, and someone was just grinder happy that day. Just saying to check out that area closer Brian

Joe, There is a good article on suraige translated by Paul Martin on the articles page here. Check out the .pdf. http://www.nihontomessageboard.com/articles/Suriage.pdf Brian

I'll emphasize that in case anyone missed it. There are some telltale grinding marks there that need to be investigated. Brian

I still need to get it myself (it's shipping that's a killer I think) but from what I understand, it is just info and dates. No pics or examples. Strictly for looking up names and basic info. Brian