Alex A

If you think your tanto is worth it, then do it. Even though you likely wont recoup costs involved, ive enjoyed bringing a tanto koshirae back to life. Though would not use the set above, the kashira has certainly seen better days. You could keep costs down by using one made from horn, though that wouldnt match your fuchi with the decoration, in my humble opinion. If it were a more simple plain iron fitting, then yes. You would need new fittings and saya plus ito. You can search around to keep costs down, keep things simple, look for fittings something that fits right. Saya should be original to a blade. Luckily in the UK, we have good guys that do good work that have reasonable prices when it comes to jobs on koshirae. Always something on the back burner that needs sorting out. Though only if you think its worth it, if its sentimental to you then that's as good a reason as any.

I was looking to get a hold of Bill, must be several months ago. Stephen managed to get a hold of him, will pm the details i have. Was a pity at the time, he had a real nice Sukenaga wak on his site that i was after, but took so long i ended up with another. Anyways, see pm

Been asked about Nakago-ana dimensions, so will add here. 28mm x 7mm at widest point. Obviously, looking at the tsuba, it appears to have been mounted on more than one sword. Open to reasonable offers.

Aye, famous swords do tend to come with more traceable history and provenance. Looks a good read that, thanks.

Have to ask. Regarding gold inlay "nick names". Any way to authenticate?

That's a nice sword. Eisho dated Sukesada nakago always have that look about them, you could have guessed it without seeing the mei and just seeing the nakago. No one likes to see "probably" in a write-up, well i dont. "Sukesada" is top of the mei charts for scribble and its what most will have to accept as owners.

For a quick listing im going to do a direct link to the sales thread when i bought it. Thomas i don't think will mind, his pictures were very good. This one has been through the hands of a few Koto tsuba collectors, every Koto collection should have one! Lately, i have been interested in tsuba with tree designs such as Bushu etc, so i have a different focus on what i collect. Hence the sale. £249, that includes shipping. (From memory, under what i have in it) Original listing here.

Glad you are giving it the time it deserves Lewis and happy its gone to a good home. Cheers

Now sold, thanks

On hold, thanks

Had an enquiry asking for different pics to Aoi. Usually would go out in the back yard in the light but since moving im now overlooked so dont want look like a nutter in the back yard. Mostly taken under the lights of my 90s style kitchen, hope these suffice a bit better, not really good at sword photography.

Sold, thanks

On hold pending payment. cheers

Short, a possibility it was made from a longer sword. crossed my mind. Maybe the picture but thats the vibe i am getting.

Some of us are into bikes here too, Mick, me included, there is a discussion in the members area below somewhere. As for the general antique dealers and the online gun sites that have them. Its rare i use the term junk, probably got sick of seeing swords with vastly altered weird nakago and Chinese wall hangers with prices like 2k on them. Who knows though, maybe a diamond in the rough on one of those sites one day, but i for one are less than willing to sift through it. On the whole, stupid prices aimed at people that have not done their homework.