Mike

Thanks guys, couldn't agree more, though I will be sure only when it arrives. I didn't realise the photo will turn up so small, sorry about that. I will post better photo within few days. Pete, your comment about Yagyu is interesting I had that filling too, though I don't really think it is Yagyu. Mike

The 2 colors on finesword tsuba represent day and night, the mei is Tadaaki (not sure). As for the rate it is roughly 1$=120.5 JPY. Nice tsuba. Mike

I forgot to say that the measurements are 8.4 X 8.4 X 0.45 cm. Mike

Hello, this is late edo tsuba I have purchased lately. I would like to have members thought of the maker's school. I hope that the quality of the photo is enough. Thanks, Mike

Why buy fake sword from China? Mike

What an amazing tsuba, just breath taking. Mike

Hi, looks to me like cast tsuba. I bought my first tsuba in at a flee market near shrine in Tokyo, and it was cast one, it is not unlikely that your mother got from Japan. Mike

As a beginner I took this challenge with hesitation, but I guess one has to start sometimes doing kantei in order to make progress. So, sugata looks to me late Kamakura or early Nambokucho. As the sword is shortened (as far as I can see) it should have been koshi zori and around 80-90 cm which fit the characteristic of this period, also somewhat chu kissaki is fit as well. As for school, ichimai boshi (as looks to me) indicates Soshu den as other wrote, but Nagayama in his book says that this kind of boshi usually appears in late Muromachi, but nonetheless I stick to late Kamakura. The hamon which looks to me based on o-notare also indicates Soshu den. As for smith I admitt that I took a long shot, and basically it is more of guess to Go Yoshihiro. I hope that I found out at list some of the characteristics , Mike

Talking about modern tsuba, this guy is doing great job. Some tsuba are very hard to recognize as new from the photos. Mike http://home.a01.itscom.net/ryuken/main.html

Hi, I agree with Pete and John, looks like nginata due to the sugata. Mike

Hi, see this thread http://militaria.co.za/nihontomessagebo ... php?t=1091, the few last posts dealing with masame hada on the mimi. Mike

Thanks Henry and Ichi. I will surely consider double my insurance package Mike

WOW, that is something. I envy you for that. With your permission I copied your post for future use . BTW how is driving in Japan for complete gaijin? Mike

Wait patiently 100 years, or give it to a pro restorer. Best is to leave it as it is. Just my 2 cwt. Mike

Mybe the polisher had used some acid as part of the finish part of the process. Mike

Hi, haven't ordered myself, but from others experience, it would be difficult to deal with the sword smith yourself, especially if you are not located in Japan and not talking the language. Try here they are reputable and honest: http://www.ksky.ne.jp./~sumie99/order.h ... ew%20Sword Mike

It is an old way to post low estimate and attract possible buyers and make the bids higher. Mike

Hi, I think the design is boar eyes. also about the school, can it be Heianjo? Mike

Hi Stephen, Your sword, having been bought 20 years ago, is not likely to be Chinese fake. It looks like a simple Burmese dah, the saya is also typical to this kind of sword. So the guy who sold you the sword was probably right. Mike

Now all you have to do is post a photo of the mei :lol: , or am I missing something Mike

Hi, here is similar one, can't read the text as i don't have any book in hand. I think it is kyo, but I am still learning. http://www.db.fks.ed.jp/txt/20011.002/html/00018.html Mike

You might consult with Bob Mccoy who is yanone collector and can be very helpful. He is the editor of To-Ron the monthly newsletter of NCJSC. His email as published on the newsletter is mccoy@mccoyweb.org. Mike

No one will satisfy Gordon Ramsey Mike

I have registered few days ago, it is great site and lot of info. Mike

Hi, I had the same problem, 2 years ago I sent them couple of email as I wanted to by some fittings. I have'nt got an answer up till now Mike