Brian

Dr L, Thanks for a well written and explained reply as always I do encourage people to have a go at their own items, no matter how novice they are. It shows an attempt at learning, even if sometimes we have no idea. Not a rule though, just a suggestion as pointed out. I also don't think that a lack of answers is necessarily a lack of people trying to help, but sometimes is an answer in itself. If the item is awkward or modern or not good quality, then often people hesitate to say this for fear that they will seem too judgemental. Not saying this is the case here, but for the future, sometimes no answers are an answer by themselves In this case, although I don't know the school either, I agree with John's answer of late work..maybe mid to later 19C, from someone who knows the art, but hasn't reached a level that we might see in better works. It is a perfectly adequate and genuine tsuba imho, but not of a higher standard. The work is ok, but the composition and placement seem a bit off. Not easy to express in words. Not a bad tsuba though...it would be interesting to be able to verify the school but not sure this is typical of a particular school, or maybe John is correct in his analysis. Regards, Brian

Swordsmiths rarely used their own real name. They took on an art name, and this is the one they signed with, and became known as. Later generations would use the same name, or maybe take a character from that name and add one of their own. So basically your swordsmith is Tsunahiro...history doesn't usually record what their real names were. Brian

I agree with Jacques, it is a close match, and looks shoshin (genuine signature) to me. Brian

Bob, By all means, drop him an email and ask his recommendation. I would think they would be happy to have you bring it in to one of the meetings. He is a decent and well known guy. He might even know someone closer to you. Regards, Brian

William, No worries about sharing them, if we don't get opinions, then how are we going to learn? The f/k are, I think, very late Hizen school, but not much detail and the carving isn't too well done, so genuine, but not very good work I would guess. The kozuka (you say it is double sided?) would then point to those meiji stamped table-knife style kozuka that are often pressed back into use as kozuka. Made when the fittings market died, for export. Stamped and of low quality. Real kozuka don't have the same design on both sides. The tsuba has a late edo cast look to it? The iron looks a bit rough, which then had some decoration applied. All the fittings look genuine enough, just late work made for a simple mounting. I would say this is also a composite patchwork of different styles put together for this sword. Browse some of the links in the NMB linls section and check some of the dealer stock there for some great examples of high class work. But of course then they have a price to match You get what you pay for as always. Brian

Hi William, I know you headed this post "high quality fittings" but I hope you know they aren't really? The kozuka and menuki look like very late edo mass produced punched work, with not a lot of detail. The tsuba looks fair, but fairly standard. Not sure of the fuchi/kashira school, but it will come to me in a bit. All in all a fairly standard and mediocre mounted set. Hope you don't take offense, but the truth is always better than no reply at all I think. (Hopefully) Regards, Brian

Hi Bob, We all wish No..the yen ranking system is just a rating system used in the books. Basically it gives an indication comparatively vs other smiths. It isn't a literal value. I also don't think this is your smith. Yours might be gimei (a false signature often used to make a sword seem more desirable) but it could be from one of the other Tsunahiro smiths. All in all, I think the mentioned value of around $2K is a fair one, unless there is a problem that reduces it. Regards, Brian

Barry, Ouch..that would certainly leave a bad taste. I don't get why these auction houses can't offer a decent post-sales service. I know that I wanted to place a few bids on the auction, and now I am glad I didn't. Can you imagine what they are going to try and charge for shipping some of the larger lots? Insane. Brian

Gabriel, That was a very informative and good post though! I think you were hinting that early Shinto is usually (yes..of course there are exceptions) better than late Koto in general Good advice on the care and restoration. Brian

Jesper, I stayed in the Hotel Parkside in Ueno, and found it fantastic. Jut across the road from Ueno park. Much better than I expected. You can find cheaper Ryokans instead of a hotel, but this one is in a great spot, the rooms aren't tiny, and I think it is around 10-15K yen per night for up to 2 people. You can choose Western or Japanese style rooms. They have a website, and cheaper online rates. I recommend it highly. http://www.parkside.co.jp/en/index.html Brian

Peter, Since when do we not have a chance of it being gimei? :lol: :D I would say try it. Looks like a nice blade, and if it comes back as gimei, then I can buy it at a good price :D Some other Tsuguhira (Tsugihiro?) here: http://www.nihonto.us/OMI%20NO%20KAMI%2 ... KATANA.htm http://www.satcho.com/Nihonto/Nihonto.htm Brian

Yep..I expect the blowtorch (if it is ever used, and I doubt that too) would only be used on a very fast pass or 2 just to get a minimum of heat like the boiling water. There is also the copper blocks method that withdraws the heat. But the true way is the wooden blocks that Guido mentioned, and a very keen eye. However it is all a moot point anyways...as we are not going to try it ourselves, and will leave it to the experts. This is like most of that Jackass movie stuff....don't try this at home folks. Perhaps Andrew our apprentice togishi will comment if he sees the thread (or Mr Pedersen?) Brian

He coulda made a fortune selling it on eBay. . . . . Brian

Well..the Keith Nobuhira Austin tanto found by a member recently was one. Not Juyo of course, but a really good find. I think there was a write-up on a sword in a recent JSSUS newsletter that also came from eBay, and I think there are more. But this isn't of course justification for eBay speculating, as for every one good deal there are hundreds of bad deals. But there are some out there. Barry, thank you very much for proving my point exactly. The reason there isn't (and will never be) a list of recommended sellers, is that few are totally consistent. What is a good seller for some, can be a bad experience for others. I have had a few bad comments about just about every dealer and seller. Yes, there are sellers that are more trusted than others, but who writes the guidelines as to what makes a good seller or a bad one? I have bought swords from some of the more popular sellers and wondered why certain flaws such as fukure etc slipped out of the photos shown. Sometimes shipping has been a bit high compared to what they paid. Doesn't make them a bad seller, but who is the judge? Some of the sellers with bad comments, I have had fair and honest service from. Basically this is a call that I can't make, and hence ask about a seller if you like, but you will have to make up your own mind whether to deal with them or not. If we post a list, then ultimately we become responsible for the actions of that dealer and what he does. Brian

Jeremy, I don't think the samurai would use swords for "cutting" as such. Remember they were weapons, and used for battle and to protect themselves. I guess during a campaign they would use the sword in whatever condition it was, but I expect they would have had it repaired as soon as feasible. A bend in a sword will restrict it's ability to cut as the geometry is off, and it would likely bend further. Btw..I expect any of the polishers on the links page (Moses, Bob Benson etc) would all be able to sort out a bend. Brian

Hi Jeremy, At least 4 of my out of polish blades have a slight bend or kink in them. I don't let it get to me too much, as oneday when I can afford to send them for polish, I am sure they will be straightened. I wouldn't dare try it myself, as I am scared of hagire. I don't think there is anyone in Oz that I would recommened. Straightening is a job for a serious professional as the pitfalls are fatal (for the blade) Brian

Tell Carmen that if he can positively identify fraud like this, then the best thing to do is go bid $1,000,000 on the item himself so that no-one else buys it. The seller can't give neg feedback, as he is a criminal anyways. Hope the buyer (katanluv?) isn't going to pay him for this. Brian

Oh man! I just have to post the pic for those who didn't go there and see this one. Some South East Asian fishing spear head maybe? Brian

Hi Casper, Nice to have another SA'frican on board with an interest. Please don't mistake the replies for trying to discourage you. It is just that, as a forum dedicated to the subject, we have a responsibility to give advice that is correct and suitable for everyone else reading it, and emphasizes the correct route to follow. I do understand that many buying their first sword will look for a cheaper piece, but it is only logical that the standard advice is to save up, buy books, look at good swords, and then buy something better. It is just the logical and proper advice to give. If you know that, have thought about it, maybe done some of that, and then decided you still want to purchase a cheap item at first, at least we did the responsible thing and we can proceed from there. So please don't see it as negative advice What I would advise is to get hold of me via email, and I will send you details of the new Jhb based South African Japanese Sword Society that a small group of us have just started. There you will be able to see some swords and get some hands-on experience. We can also see what is available here or elsewhere that you can pick up for a good deal. Regards, Brian

Not 100% sure of this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/Japanese-sword-26-k ... 0244684379 I see it is the exact description used here: http://www.swordsmanandarcher.com/Japan ... #131093978 Different pics though. Have email the owner, but auction only has a few hours left. Be careful if you are watching this one. Brian

Guys..play nice..don't make me delete more posts C'mon now..we are getting there, let's make disagreements polite and light hearted? I know you can do it. Back to the topic, which I am sure Darcy won't mind if it diverts off to colour calibration and such... Those of you who have photoshop installed might (should?) have something in your pc control panel called Adobe gamma. As Darcy mentioned, it is not as good, but helps a lot. Check..maybe you have it. Might even be available for download? Makes a huge difference. As for me..I'm colour blind anyways...so I am pretty lost :D :lol: Brian

The forum's official position is to discourage newcommers from hitting eBay, and will always be the position. You must be prepared to lose a lot and will be conned a few times. That is not to say that most of us don't use eBay (some buy and sell...some just sell) but it is really a case of "do as I say, not as I do" Stories of finding a hidden treasure or the proverbial "sleeper" don't mention the countless bad deals and money losses. If you do eBay...don't cry when you get junk sometimes. Not much to discuss really..it is all pretty logical and well known. Brian

Hate to hijack threads, but since it's Milt's...I think it's fair :lol: http://www.justsnipe.com 5 free per week. Only way to win I have proven many times that sniping saves you money and wins auctions. I know we hate snipers, but if you are serious about winning, you have to do it. Brian

Me too Wow! Is there a colour photo anywhere? Brian