Curgan

I want to bid on an item in yahoo.co.jp auction site. Has anyone used it and is willing to share experiences? I am particuraliry worried about security. It seems that the site requires a fee in order to bid and I am woreied about the fate of my credit card data. Thanks in advance

Yes, that's the pic and the size is very good! It was at the numbers of folds thread, but linked not posted (silly me). My many thanks to all!!!

Hello All! A week ago one fellow forumite (I was sure it was mr Tacchini) posted a picture showing the evolution of Japanese blades throught time. I am searching for it now with no result. If anyone remembers the thread please reply with the url. Thanks!

Although, I can't document this, I think there is an *urban legend* that Japanese steel is folded 100 times. However, I don't xonsider this plausible, because it would result in homogenising the steel and a consequent loss of the hada...

Maybe he is buying them from a Japanese junkyard? :D

Sorry for the late response (blame it on vacations). I had number 2 in mind actually (and trying not to think of number 3) :D

He has some other "interesting" items as well and a couple of wakizashi that are rusted 100% from the kissaki to the end of the nakago...

I have the option of buying this tsuba and the auction is ending in 16 hours. However, the asked price seems too low for it. Any opinions?

In my opinion, I find hard to trust a seller who does not reveal his actual name, has no disclaimer and no prices...

I wholeheartedly agree with you. Nihonto appreciation is a hobby for few. As for your offer mr Wilson I intent to top you extending it even to the swords that are not good enough! Moreover, I offer to pay the shipping cost myself!

Besides Greece, my favourites were Italy and France.... The only thing to hope for now is a final between Brasil and Argentina...

Despite the fact that I live 5000km away, I know what you mean.... Luckily, our tv network have reduced the sound from the stadiums otherwise we 'd go crazy!

That is most unfortunate.... maybe soon the whole project will be feasible ...at least you won't stop posting at the forum your usual "teaser" threads, will you?

I think what the other senior members said was that experimenting on the bayonet is OK. I myself liked it very much. But PLEASE never try anything on a nihonto. It takes a decade of devoted work (10 hours a day, 6 days a week) as an apprentice for someone to be a Japanese sword polisher. And the most experienced of them take up nihonto. The antique Japanese swords are objects of art and must be treated as such. You were treated a bit harshly, because a great number of swords were destroyed by amateurs trying to sharpen nuhinto with files, sandpaper or whatever you might think. Unfortunately, an amateur will never be goodenough for a nihonto. However, if you want to practice Japanese traditional polish then you should try it on a modern production blade. There are many in the market and it will come much cheaper also.

I just hope the blade he's leaning is decorative.

a nerd nevertheless...

Thanks!

With an obsession to gay samurai... Anyway, are there any photos of "real" samurai and not farmers and merchants posing as such?

I 'd like to find one that goes with the sho, even though it is unpractical. I am not expecting to find an identical tsuba. Even though this tsuba has been identified as of the Ishguro school, the artist had a style of his own. This design with panels on an undecorated surface is rare enough on the market. For me any shakudo nanako tsuba with botan and/or bird theme will do. In fact I am looking forward to some differences.

My thanks for the interesting picture and the excellent (and huge) collection. PS Don't the *samurai* at the picture look pityfull or is it my idea?

The mounter is one of the best and cooperation with him is excellent. That makes me believe the outcome will be satisfactory. I will definately post pictures of the finished project. The only thing that we are missing yet is the dai tsuba...

I am honoured by the kind compliment...

I have contacted AOI and I am posting his whole answer as I received it. The reason for this is that I appreciate his honesty in doing business and I want to publicly express my compliments. "I have been selling many uncountable swords to the sword collectors and dealers.I can say confidently that the most important business must be trustworthy between you and us.The signature is very similar with genuine signature but slightly questionable.I can say that feeling insist by 6 sense.I think many judges accept the signature as genuine like NBTHK or NTHK judges.If you submit the blade to NBTHK and get the Hozon paper. It will be very nice and say congratulation.But I might not accept as genuine signature.Of course we checked the signature very carefully by using many conference books and finallyI reached to my conclusion that the blade looks Gimei.I'm not sure that my answer is right or not but we have to keep good relationship between you and us.This is our philosophy." I wish every dealer were as honest as Kazushige Tsuruta from AOI....

Sho koshirae. As soon as the daisho is ready I will post pictures...

Sho blade and koshirae