Brian

I don't have a pic of the punch, but as I understand it, it is just a thin punch with a cup shaped depression underneath, and yes..they are done one at a time. I believe that skilled workers can do this at an amazing speed with precision. Btw..slightly off topic, but just found this here: http://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/c/choukin.htm and thought it interesting: Brian

Jean, You get that look to the samè when people buy a nice big piece from Namikawa etc, and try and get as many jobs out of it that they can..without using the desired cut with the larger nodes. Getting the samè to look a bit aged is also the trick I think. It had some very nice fittings from what I can see...menuki/fuchi etc, but I wasn't in love with the blade. Fairish price I guess from the quick look I had. Brian

Steve, I assume this was 2 questions? One about http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0193468088 that you were watching and interested in...and the other about the sword in the pic that you already have? Hard to say if anything is worthy of restoration based just on the signature. As you will see on any forum, easy to guess at gimei, but no-one will easily commit to a shoshin for obvious reasons. I have learned that when looking at signatures, it is much easier to find differences than find similarities with papered ones Brian

Morita san, Wow..that is some impressive work! Well done. Yep Reinhard..I do think it is a little early to be making that call (one which I think we should never make anyways..even gimei isn't a write-off?) Brian

Dr L, Although I can't add anything of value to the discussion of this one, I can tell you I think it is wonderful. Truly a great tsuba. Even the asymmetrical shape adds a rustic feeling that ties in with the theme. A piece to be proud of Brian Edit to add: You know you are a Nihonto nut, when that Xmas wreath on the card in the pics starts to look like a tsuba too :D

All, Thanks to the generocity of Ludolf Lichter, I have been able to add 3 more prizes to the raffle. The new prizes are 3 interesting tsuba, which I have allocated into one lot of 1, and a lot of 2, bringing the total number of prizes to an amazing 18. Please check the raffle page for pics and descriptions of these new prizes. With only a few weeks to go, those who still wish to purchase tickets are more than welcome to enter. The support has been amazing, and a thanks again to all the sponsors and ticket purchasers. Regards, Brian

Moriyama san, You always find the most interesting archived documents I wish there was an explanation for many of those drawings. Of course you can always buy the original book: http://used.addall.com/SuperRare/submit ... store=ZVAB Bargain at only $3000 Brian

Jeremy, I assume your friend's main concern is the worn hamachi, and whether this would prevent the fitting of koshirae? If so, I don't think there is a worry there. There appears enough left to locate the habaki snugly, and a new one would likely be made to fit well anyways. I wouldn't trust it to withstand the rigours of tameshigiri, but as you said, he only wants it for kata etc. Of course, the best bet is to ask Aoi for their opinion, as they have it in hand and are able to make a better judgement. I don't think the thin edge of the hamachi is nearly as important to habaki fitting as a decent munemachi though, and there is plenty of that left. Just have to make sure to get a good habaki maker if it needs to be replaced. Just my opinion of course. Brian

Grey, This is one I can't really decide on. I would hate to make a confident decision on it. The fittings are not standard army, but do have some Meiji-style features, mixed with some Shin-gunto patterns. The kani are not done perfectly, but do appear Japanese and correct. The nakago is not too bad, but as a whole it does appear a bit odd. Really not sure. My guess would be a late war Showato in mixed mounts but I could be off and it could be a fake. What do the kanji translate to? Brian

What about the 4th generation Kunisuke Kun1202? Shinto era, I haven't looked up his mei yet. Either way, it is a nice looking tanto with decent hataraki, nice unusual hamon and looks very healthy. You shouldn't be trying to find a value on it, because a value guide just does not exist. If you like it, and enjoy the blade, then it is worth it. Something is only worth what someone else will pay for it. I think $2K is a reasonable price for a sword like this. Someone else may think it is expensive..and someone else might think it is a bargain. Even if it was mumei, I frequently see nice tanto like this selling for over that figure, so you did ok IMO. But enjoy it yourself for what it is. Brian

It's no trouble, and I don't mind the forum getting involved. However if a case is pending then it is best for everyone and especially the claimant that he keep his info to himself until the case is concluded. You don't make claims and show evidence until the matter is settled legally, as you prejudice your own case. The matter concerns a consigned sword that allegedly was sold and the monies neither passed on, nor the sword returned. There is obviously more to it than that, and without the full story, I am not touching this one. Just a reminder that if you consign any items, get a watertight agreement. Brian

I agree with you Remy, but this case is simply too complex and at an advanced stage to get involved now. There are friends and acquaintances here of both sides, and this is one I just don't want to go near. I am sure someone will pm you the names if they want to. Consider this one closed for now unless the situation changes. Brian

I've seen both...solid shakudo habaki and also foiled ones. Looking at the base of the habaki and inside will show you if there is a foil wrapped and tucked under there, otherwise it may be solid. Either way, not too serious as the habaki is probably one of the least important part of the koshirae artistically speaking (but still very important to the use and integrity of the mounting) It would probably be replaced with a new one if the sword was professionally restored oneday. Brian

Jimmy, Shakudo is the name of the alloy itself. When treated with special patina formulas, it takes on a deep rich black or blackish purple sheen, and is often used for fittings. You are correct about the composition. It is likely that the habaki is a thin foil covering the underlying material. Brian

Gabriel's advice is solid, that's what I would recommend too. If you put it through one of the USA shinsas, would they require a gimei removal before giving an attribution though, or might you at least get some info such as age on it first? Either way Jimmy, you have a nice sword there with decent fittings and a couple of hundred years on it. You did well, and as most collectors will tell you, gimei is not a train smash. Brian

Ok, I deleted the attachment, much as I'd like to keep the info here. This is the ongoing and severe dispute between Lou and Kurt that has been going on for a while now, and I honestly feel that the state it is in now, it is going to have to go to legal action, and the info is probably best left out of the public eye. This is a particularly nastly one, and death threats do not help the situation at all. Let's let this one take its natural course and hopefully it does have some resolution eventually. Brian

Nigel....don't forget that we also have a translation by Gordon Robson earlier in the thread too, and an opinion that it doesn't look good. In the sword world, that opinon ranks pretty darn high :D (FYI - http://www.ny-tokenkai.org/shinsa-in.htm ) Not sure which Akimitsu this would be though, maybe in other references? The close-ups of the mei do seem to show that there may have been kani cross-strokes that have worn off, but I 'm not qualified to judge properly. Would likely only become clear if the sword is seen in person. Why don't we get the easy ones anymore? :D Brian

Ah Guido...now if anyone accuses you of having a forked tongue...we know why :lol: Ichi..was this the same company you took me to the word show of? If so..I can highly vouch for what Errol says..they had the highest class of swords I could ever imagine. They kept thrusting priceless masterpieces in my hands until my legs felt like jelly :D Not one Kiyomaru..but 3. Not one Inoue Shinkai...3. Plus many Rai and other blades. Best you can see in one place IMHO. Brian

I'm open to offers :D :lol: Brian

Milt, Yes, I quite enjoyed the proof that the Rowling books can be almost priceless too..good answer. But in the interests of keeping this on track and not going off on a tangent I "yanked" it Pm it to Guido..I'm sure he will get a kick out of it. Hope everyone notes the light hearted references to so many swords going "Bungo" and it is just an in-joke with Milt's swords..and not a serious criticism of the shinsa process..which is frowned upon here. Don't take it too literally folks There is no-one we respect more here than those people who have dedicated their lives to Nihonto. Brian

I do understand what Franco is getting at. To judge sugata/sori you can't just draw a straight line through the nakago and tell immediately if it is koshi/tori/saki sori. You need a baseline in your mind along the mune to get more of an idea. It is not just as simple as a short line, and as Carlo said, taper can definitely mislead. Judging sori is one of the basics you need to learn, and one I am still struggling with Brian

Hi Jim, welcome to the forum. That is a nice looking tanto there, I especially like the hi (groove) running through the tang. Wish it was in better polish so that we could see the hamon (temperline) but looks in good condition and quite healthy from what we can see. Btw..the image is just a size thing. If pics are over 800 wide, then to prevent the screen scrolling, it makes it a download link instead of showing directly. Regards, Brian

Hi Bob, and welcome to the forum. Feel free to ask any questions, share any pics or just stick around and you will soon find this a very addictive hobby. I just had to find 2 British Fairbairn Sykes daggers to trade with a guy for his wakizashi. Last one is on the way now finally, so hopefully the waki will be mine soon Brian

Hi, If we can keep this discussion unemotional, then I think it could be an informative and interesting one. Judging sori is one of the most important and also most difficult things to do in kantei. I know I battle with it, as it isn't something that can be measured exactly, and sometimes is just an overall impression you get. This is before we even get to o-suriage etc! Here are the pics, with a line added to assist a bit. I would be interested in comments too. Brian

You sure it isn't because they were so fragile that the Samurai were afraid they would break, and left them at home, rather taking their Rai/Hasebe etc sword into battle? :D :lol: :D Kidding! Brian