hxv

Stephen, The nakago does look ubu to me as well. The blade has what looks like a nasty lamination opening, so no love lost there. But, for that price, given the nice tsuba, I wouldn't think twice. Personally, what I would do is pawn off the blade on ebay and keep the tsuba. But, that's just me. Regards, Hoanh

Todd, You are more than safe. I would say the tsuba alone is already almost twice what you are paying for the entire package. Go for it... Hoanh

The tsuba (sword guard) looks very nice. It might be old enough to be ko katchushi. Regards, Hoanh

Ian, I would guess the seller has no idea what "treasure" he holds and does not want to let it get away cheap - basically a fishing expedition. Regards, Hoanh

Brian, The arm of the law is shorter than we would like to believe. For out-of-country victims, they are simply out of luck. For US victims, unless they happen to live in the same county as the perpetrator, they are also out of luck. For non-violent crimes involving relatively low dollar amounts and few people, we are simply below the radar screen. Law enforcement has bigger fish to fry. It's not right at all, but it's reality. Hoanh

Who is good at Morse code here? All kidding aside, it looks somewhat charming. Hoanh

The sad thing is that he was able to deceive many a person with his nonsense. I feel sad for people whose swords he has kept illegally. Hoanh

James, Your mind is not playing tricks with you. This sword was listed on ebay a few months ago by someone based in Australia, who claimed to have inherited a sword collection from his late father. The seller allegedly was selling this collection to fund his kids' future college expense. The sword went for about $6k. I think the current seller (based in Canada) bought the sword and is now trying to unload it. To break even, he would have to sell it for around $7k to cover ebay&paypal fees. I think he gambled and realize the sword is not what he thought it was. I am 100% it's the same sword, even down to the description. Regards, Hoanh

Donny, It sure looks like Bishu Osafune Kuni Ju Sukesada. I don't see Tomoyuki at all. Hoanh

Dear Piers and Jean, Thank you! I will look at the option of asking Afu Watson for a translation. As for my interest in this document, I recently acquired an Oya Kunisada daito from Sven Hauck, and he in turn acquired it from Sanmei. The oshigata came with the sword, and Sven did not recall from which publication the oshigata originated. From what Piers had given me, it sounds exactly like the description of the sword and the background on Oya Kunisada given by Sanmei (http://sanmei.com/contents/en-us/p1684.html). I am very curious to know the name of the publication from which this oshigata originated. I have already sent an email to Sanmei to inquire, but am not sure I'll get a reply. Regards, Hoanh EDIT: I just received the following reply from Sanmei. Does anyone know of a Dr. Yoshiyuki Sugiura? I am guessing the oshigata was done in-house.

Yes and yes. You are definitely weird, but you are in good company. Hoanh

Bump... Hoanh

Dear All, I have an oshigata of a daito by Oya Kunisada. I can read a little, e.g., nagasa, sori, etc., but cannot read the rest. I am in way over my head here. I would be grateful for help with the following: 1. Translation of the document. 2. The name of the publication from which the document came, if anyone recognizes it. I realize that I am asking a lot and am truly grateful for any help. Regards, Hoanh

Terry, The tsuba seems to have been damaged by fire/high heat. I would say the workmanship is below average. Nonetheless, enjoy it for what it is - an honest antique tsuba. EDIT: Yikes, on a second look, I'm contradicting myself. It looks cast to me. Regards, Hoanh

Dear Chris, Yes, a donation directly to the board, please. Also, looking at the hamon, I would venture a guess that it's a Mino sword. Regards, Hoanh

Hi Chris, Thank you for your generosity. Please donate directly to the NMB using the uppermost right button 'PAYPAL DONATION.' Regards, Hoanh

Terry, Electrolysis is not recommended because it will remove rust AND patina (which is what we want to keep), and because it cannot be precisely controlled. Hoanh

Mariusz, What the heck, I'll take a plunge and get a whack on the head Gimei or not, it looks like a well-made sword. The hamachi suggests that the sword is not suriage. The hamon doesn't run all the way down to the nakago as one would expect of suriage swords. I would guess the gimei is of a famous Bizen smith in the Nambokucho jidai. I am also guessing this sword is a shinto piece, probably Bizento. Smith? No idea. Regards, Hoanh

Grey, Perhaps it's a bait-and-switch con. He'll ship you rocks and pebbles to give the package the proper weigh and perhaps will even insure it. Then he can get his money by either filing an insurance claim, or claiming you received the tanto when you tell Skrill you received rocks. It would be your words against his. Would that work? Hoanh

The plot thickens...I would be thrilled to find out what his ultimate con will be. He is making a big promise: inspect the sword before having to pay. How???? Hoanh

Rich, It looks like Hoanh

Bob, Just for the fun of it, I just sent a message asking the guy for pictures of the bare tang and tip. Let's see how he will wiggle out of this request. May be he'll say: 1. doesn't know how to remove the handle, and 2. camera is broken... Hoanh

Scott, Slap a Lexus logo onto a Yugo and voila... Hoanh

I am guessing it's because Kaifu Awa Yasuyoshi does not belong to one of the five traditions (Yamashiro, Yamato, Bizen, Soshu, Mino) and is therefore seen as outside of the mainstream. Of course, it's our tendency to pigeon hole everything into categories... Hoanh

Yes, agreed! Hoanh