peterqu

Mumei

Thank you all for your sound advice.Let's see how it pans out.Perhaps later I will set the scene of the examination and give reasons so that we can all learn from this experience.Peter

Thank you for that Ormorik.I agree with much of what you have stated.He obviously regards himself as a dealer of good repute and I am optimistic that he will do the right thing.I have made him a settlement proposal and will revert to the Forum in due course.As far as leverage is concerned he will be advised at an appropriate time that there are so far 150 members from all around the world who have followed this discussion , are anxious to know his name and to hear of the outcome.Regards,Peter

Hi Steve ,I am sorry but I cannot answer your question.The polisher only speaks Japanese and I believe that the description he gave to my Western friend who does, was simply that it was Yakinaoshi (retempered) Regards,Peter

Hi Jacques, I take your point but I would suggest that the test is that of " a reasonable man" and not an expert in sword matters.In other words if a reasonable man cannot detect the flaw or defect then I believe .rightly or wrongly, that there is an obligation to disclose ,much the same as with latent defects which the seller may be aware of and which are not apparent on close examination.I respond not to prove a point but simply to alert members that there is another viewpoint which provides them with a right of recourse.Peter

Hi Jacques,Yes it is good polish say 90%.Peter

Hi Brian, The dealer in question has never disputed my claim based upon the polisher's experience that the blade is saiha so I think it reasonable to assume that he knew.He has simply replied that it is my problem.The fact of the matter is that in his profile and writings about himself he claims to be an expert in Swords and Armour.Peter

Hi Steve,The Nihontocraft article makes interesting reading.Whilst I respect your opinion I must reply that it seems that you had the benefit of knowing that the Mura masa had been retempered and chose not to purchase.Personally I see no point in paying for a blade that has no market value and may not even be described as utilitarian unless one wants an expensive metal tsunagi.I struggle with the notion that ever dealer should be distrusted but also cannot accept that ones lack of experience should make one fair game and that conduct that is generally unacceptable in the real world is acceptable in the Nihonto culture.I need some more responses to guide me as to how I should respond to this dealer.Please don't hold back.Peter

On a recent visit to Japan I purchased a katana from a well known dealer only to be advised by my Japanese polisher that the blade had been retempered. I attempted to cancel the deal and obtain a refund which was declined on the basis that I had handled and examined the blade and consequently must accept responsibility for for the condition.For the sake of this discussion let us assume that the dealer is an expert and that he knew or should have know that the blade had been retempered.I know that some big name blades have been retempered and are valued but this not one of those and is a mumei Koto blade.I am really looking for a general response on the ethics (do they exist?) involved in the transaction.Firstly , does retempering constitute a material defect affecting the value of the blade and secondly is there a duty on the dealer to disclose that the blade has been retempered.I would mention that I was with two other collectors and that none of us detected the blade condition .Peter

A small party from South Africa will be there for the week including David Volkwyn, Ford Hallam and myself.We are hoping Brian can join us. As the proud owner of the "Ebay Daisho" I would be happy to discuss some of the offers that have been thrown around.Peter Quin