Curgan

This deep round carving is a feature most of the times found in kinko work, but I don't think it's that common. As for the rest I can only agree on the color, as for the rest I am too noob yet to have a solid opinion, but owari was my sense as well...

Hi all, I 've been wondering about how are called such panels as in the pictured tsuba and if they were a characteristic of any of the major tsuba schools. Not a feature often seen in my opinion and thus might be useful for attribution, provided a specific school used them. Intriguing as a rarity nevertheless...

Poland has entered nihonto world for good. Congrats...

I believe that these tsuba covers would be a necessity when traveling in the dusty Japanese roads... At least for the silk ito of the samurai, the ashigaru were not a factor to consider anyway...

In the meantime studying a couple of books (or more) on the subject will definately help you improve and develop your own taste and appreciate what a Japanese sword really is.

Like I promised some pictures...

Hi Michael, welcome to the forum and the world of nihonto. As for the sword... Ignoring the pictures, my guess would still be a chinese fake. The holes on the tang (mekugi ana) are very small and too close to the habaki. I don't see how a mekugi (bamboo peg) could pass diagonaly through. This way there is no room for a guard and the kashira, if the sword is going to be mounted, but still can be outfitted to a shirasaya. No Japanese smith or mounter would do such a mistake. I still might be wrong, but I wouldn't bet on it...

I believe for the chrome plating...

Thanks Morita san! Alan, I have found it on the internet somewhere and croped the signature. I 'll check it out and try to find the whole pic and post it here.

I 've been trying to translate a tsuba mei and a single kanji taken from an internet picture. I have gone quite far (for my capabilities) with the mei, but a kanji from it and the single kanji elude me. I hope some more educated members will find the missing puzzle pieces for me. For those who want to practice, I have hidden my translation to the spoiler.

Nihonto means Japanese sword. Shinsakuto is a newly made sword. While all shinsakuto are nihonto, all nihonto are not shinsakuto as they include and older blades. A shinsakuto is used and admired, while antique blades are admired only. They can be used as well, but -as usage might bring wear to them and thus the humanity loose important cultural artifacts- using of antique blades is not encouraged. EDIT: For commisioning a shinsakuto, I 'd go with a reputable agent, like Chris. Occuring issues and communication might be hard to deal with whithout knowing the language.

In the States there are Antony DiCristofano, Rick Barrett and possibly others that work tamahagane (or oroshigane maybe). Not traditionals are Howard Clark, Walter Sorrels and others. In Canada are the MAS/Butouken swords, that are considered semi-customs (made in Korea by Park).

Are you searching for traditionaly forged Japanese blades or any custom made blade?

I still can't see why the particular blade is considered a nagamaki naoshi and not an originaly made shobu zukuri katana. I am sure more educated and eye-sharp forumites will be able to shed some light on this. My own -and not fool proof- rough guide (I know some will jump on me for this) is examining the sori, as usually nagamaki naoshi have a more exagerated one. This one seems gentle enough for a normal shobu. The blade geometry in my eyes seems like it was an originaly made shobu blade (shortened however). Better pictures would be much more helpful, for me at least, to see what I might be missing. P.S. This is evolving to a most interesting and educational thread...

BTW why is it a nagamaki naoshi and not a shobu zukuri? I know that both Chris and Jean have a by far better I than me, but I can't see why its the one and not the other...

I don't know if this comforts you a bit, Mariusz, but I like your kinko stuff... :D

My avatar tsuba is my favourite, in fact because of it I entered the nihonto world.

Sorry for the dump question (no sword show has ever been held in my country), but will it be possible for someone to help me an item I 'm searching for?

you 're right, silly me

Will there be any items for sale there?

Since there has been a lot of controversy lately regarding bad selling practices, I thought it would be good for people to know more about buyers expreriences. Mine is apositive one and involves Ryujin swords and our fellow forumite Kevin Jones. I got this sword http://ryujinswords.com/kanemitsu.htm Kevin kindly arranged a touch up polish with Les Stuart. He also glued the saya, got a leather cover for it, treated it and fitted it. I will post pics soon. The overall cost was very reasonable and the sword was as promised. In fact it was better than expected. The only unfortunate incident is that the postal service didn't take much care of the sword which -despite the excellent packaging- resulted in a cracked tsuka and mekugi, but that is definately not Kevin's fault. What I want to underline, and thank Kevin in public, was our excellent communication. Not only the sword was described extensively and very accurately, but we engaged in a series of other irrelevant discussion topics that made the whole experience a pleasure (even more than it is by itself). Surely a guy to do business and (afterwards) drink beers with.

Isn't Japanese art full of compromises and stylized depictions anyway?

I think I 've seen it before somewhere. Was it on eBay?

Happy birthday!!!

Hi Frank, the poor pictures make it hard to tell, but the poorly done tsukamaki and the mismatched colours make it very hard for the blade to be authentic...