Brian

Just as an off topic...I have 9 nice Kerises in my collection Brian

Hi Ian, welcome to the forum and don't forget to sign all posts with a real name and initial at least. The sooner you get them identified and start the process of conservation, the better I think. Go ahead and post the pics, and we will assist to the best of our abilities. Check out the How-to forum for instructions on uploading pics, and making sure they are not too big. Othwise use one of the image uplodd sites. Look forward to seeing them. Brian Edit to add: I think we have a few Swedish members here if they are around. I know there was a Danish website (suspended currently) at http://www.tsunami.dk/ and a Finnish Nihonto forum that has been hacked http://www.nihonto.fi/index.html but I don't know of any Swedish sites.

Hi, I think I'll lock this topic now, as it is the same sword that has extensive discussion continued here: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2932 Brian

Hi all, If there are any tsuba guys here, I am looking for a bit of info on this one. Just received it on a katana I purchased locally (that needs work..keep dremels away from swords!) and was wondering if anyone could give any info. Dimensions are 85mm wide x 92mm high, and 6mm thick at the mimi. Patina is a nice glossy black mostly. I hesitate to mention it, but there are shiny areas that seem to be remains of laquer, but I am not sure if that is pertinent or valid. Pics are sooo difficult to do properly. Much appreciated. Brian

Harvey, See if that blade can be dismounted from the fittings easily? I think there is a chance that this houses an earlier wakizashi blade, and might be forged. You see this occasionally. Can you see a hamon anywhere? Brian

Lee, that is a bit of a silly attitude. If you think firstly that a gimei sword is worthless, then you should look at some of the top collections, or send it to me where I will give it a good home. Secondly, everyone here had their doubts about genuine or not. That is already better than most get..where they are usually sure that it is gimei. This alone is enough for you to send it to shinsa. Do you expect to get a firm answer that it is genuine? Even in the best cases, with a name like this no-one is going to be 100% sure. You got a good reaction, and good advice to send it to Bob. You are not going to get anyone saying 100% it is right. If you get a few good comments from a few members that have knowledge, then that is a hint to now get it to someone who can examine it in hand. Bearing in mind that most of the work can only be seen in hand, and not in pics. A lot of guys went to a lot of trouble to do comparisons and show various points, and I think for an online forum you have great advice here. Now with what has been said here, assume gimei like we all do with big names, and get it to Bob or someone else or shinsa and hope for the best. I can assure you we would all love to be proven wrong in this case, and it turns out to be shoshin. Good luck with it, you still have a decent chance. Brian

David, If you check out the NMB links lage above, and read the description popups, I have tried to at least give the country where the dealer is, and maybe his name and other info that I was able to find. Obviously this can be expanded on, but it is a step closer. Of course this isn't a recommendation of any dealers, but info on most of them can be found by searching the forum. Regards, Brian

If there is one, I am pretty sure it will be updated immediately on the Nihonto Calendar website available from the links page. Then again, maybe you hear about it here first Brian

Lee, If there ever was a reason to send something to shinsa, this is it. None of us here can be 100% sure. You will never get a definite answer on a forum, just guidelines. However if the workmanship is as nice as you say, then it is worth polishing and submitting. It is close, but with every Kiyomaro I would assume gimei until proven otherwise. Send it to Bob Benson...he will tell you if it is worth going further. Unless the entire shinsa panel registers here and gives you a firm answer, get it looked at in hand by someone. Brian

WTF? Are you saying eBay has blocked you from viewing auctions based on your country of residence? If so..that is taking censorship just a little bit too far! Please elaborate on this a bit more, as this could be a huge issue. What if you are just browsing for info and research? I suggest logging out of eBay, and using an anonymiser proxy to browse. Brian

George, The serial numbers have no bearing on which arsenal manufactured it. There are tiny stamps usually next to the serial number and on the fuchi that indicate arsenal. Obviously totally machine made, and not Nihonto. But if it is indeed the wooden handle one with the cross hatching, those do fetch a premium, and can go up to $800 or more sometimes to militaria dealers. If you post a pic we can verify it for you, but info beyond that is unfortunately beyond the scope of our subject here. Brian

Well done Carlo! Who says sake cups don't help with swords. Brian

As Carlo so well expressed, this is indeed a touchy subject, and I am allowing it to continue thanks to the fact that you have all kept it civil and emotions aren't running wild. Let's keep it that way if we can, so that I don't have to lock it...just a pre-emptive note Thanks, Brian

Simon, I've dealt with him before, and am pretty sure it is a Gendaito. I also don't usually associate "kitau kore" with machine made blades, indicating something at least a step up from that. With the activity he mentions and what I can see, I am pretty sure it is at least handmade. You don't see much choji in oil tempered blades either. Not saying it doesn't occur, but it isn't typical. I am more used to seeing suguha or a regular sanbon-sugi. Brian

Walter, With current auctions, I would prefer we concentrate on discussing the swords and the work, rather than the value. I don't want to influence current auction prices unless there is something dramatically wrong with it. Since there is no price guide, and it is worth whatever someone pays for it, the best is to use dealer's listings and experience to get an idea. To me is seems fair, but to someone else it might be expensive or a bargain. I have dealt with the seller before, and he is decent. I would ask a few questions and make sure there are no flaws before contemplating any purchase from anyone. Brian

Lee, I think it is natural that everyone errs on the side of caution when talking about a big name like this. No real way to come to a full conclusion without a shinsa, and I assume that this one will definitely be heading for a full polish and then to shinsa. Please keep us informed on the progress, and the result. I am sure we are all holding thumbs for you. Brian

Resized and uploaded the pics. No need for half a page of blanket Brian Ps - There's that square mekugi ana again! No-one seems to be able to give an explanation for those except for mis-shapen round holes. However that one is obviously very deliberate. Just a style or idiosyncrasy of certain smiths, or something else?

My condolences go out to his family and friends. Very sad to hear of the passing of yet another serious Nihonto enthusiast. Brian

Michael, Try (for those that still want to have a try at it) I think that is the same guy. Brian

Just thought I would have some fun and ask what good deals you have picked up in the past that are not swords..but related? Some days a bargain appears that we can't say no to. In my recent case (bragging very slightly) I noticed I was missing the book "Swords of the Samurai" by Victor Harris from my library. Not an essential book, but I try and get all the English ones that are out there. A web search found me a few copies..all over $90 and up used. Last week a copy appeared in my used book search from Amazon.ca, and I thought it must be a mistake. The price was $7 So I thought may as well have a go..registered and ordered it. Well...I expected an email saying they made a mistake and the seller wanted $70 or $170, but today my book arrived, in mint condition. Paid $7 plus shipping. I guess I scored for a change. So what good deals on fittings, books, art etc have you come across to restore your faith in this whole buying thing? Brian

Looked like hieroglyphics to me :D Well done guys Brian

Michael, You judge them mainly by the quality of the world. Good Soten work will be immediately apparent. Take a look at these examples, and compare: http://www.truefork.org/Photography/Tsuba_4.php There are also posts here about Soten work: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2342 and compare yours to the one mentioned here: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2768&p=19593 Brian

Thanks Reinhard, that is very helpful. As Reinhard demonstrated, and looking at the overall work, the sukashi work and the kogai ana...doesn't this seem to be a poor quality later copy of an earlier work? Bear in mind this is not coming from a tsuba expert (or even an educated tsuba novice really) but that is the impression I get from it? Brian

That's for both Reinhard and Darcy, for getting us thinking. Excellent points, and a great article to consider. We all try and fit swords into these nice little boxes where everything matches, but in reality the swordsmiths weren't working according to a textbook. Good to get some discussion going on swords like these. Thanks, Brian

Well..I guess it's past being educational now, but might be useful if someone decides to write a book on the pattern oneday, and needs examples :lol: Brian