Alex A

Here we go again, Ok, having had a look at the mei and comparing it to other examples, I think its fair to say there is more wrong with it than you can shake a stick at. I enjoy to speculate too sometimes, but that doesn't get you an Hozen I'm afraid, unless maybe there is a special Hozen award for speculating . I respect Karls efforts, but unless he gets on a plane to Tokyo and convinces and educates the NBTHK/NTHK of his theories/findings or even gets on to a shinsa panel then in my humble opinion this sword will receive no Hozen for Tadahiro. Ps John, all the folk above (including me) took time to help you and you have kind of come across slightly insulting and ungrateful in your last statement. Oh well, I suppose we can only try to help. You will need to remember that giving advice, checking mei etc can be time consuming and a bit of a pain, its not something that I or anyone else take on likely, it can also make one look a complete plonker should one get it wrong, so think on.

For once, we have someone who knows what they want................hallelujah.

Hi John, always remember when you buy a sword you must consider whether it will be an easy or hard sell in the future. Assume it is gimei, as you are aware. Are you also aware that if it is gimei and you wish to receive an Hozen in the future, the mei must be removed, that is an added hassle. Gimei big name Katana go for anything between £800 and £1600 on fleebay, price being pushed up a by the deluded. Average, papered, mumei, Shinto katana, these can be an hard sell. I'm guessing if it were a genuine Tadahiro katana, it would already be papered and have a fairly big price tag. I guess you know all this but are looking for positives to back up your way of thinking. We all get impulsive from time to time and look for someone to give a no bull piece of advice (even when we already know the answer), done it myself recently, looking back, I'm glad I asked, sometimes we just need a no-nonsense reminder and wake up call. Having said all that, if you really do like the sword, then I hope your very happy with it

Your decision John, all I will say is know what you buy and buy with your your brains and not your heart.

Hi John, is this the sword?, whats his take on the sword?, he has it in hand,so a lot easier. He lists it as an Hizen Tadahiro katana, not a katana signed Hizen Tadahiro. http://www.nihonto.com.au/html/hizen_tadahiro_katana.html

Dotanuki wakizashi with long kissaki on Aoi http://www.aoijapan.com/wakizashi-kyusyu-higo-dotanuki-uemon

I didn't know, I was always under the impression that a negative couldn't be removed. Anyway, thanks for the heads up.

As long as you like the sword, and you don't pay a Tadahiro price, all is good.

Yes, nice hada, Osaka Master. Il top window shopping for now, but carry on with the lottery.

Joel, did you list the problem when you left a negative feedback for other folk to see? High5 is definitely the wrong name

Quality Horimono http://www.aoijapan.com/katana-awataguchi-ikkanshi-tadatsuna-hori-dosaku Not my consignment by the way

Yes, don't get too attached and keep doing the lottery.

I like them, but that's where it ends. I was looking at a collection in the latest Bonhams London catalogue, the "Solomon Fuld" collection, interesting.

Cheers Barry, just ordered me one

Personally, I would never part with any cash on the promise of a Shinsa guarantee, unless it was by someone I have known for a long time and trust. Ken S, don't buy a sword with a ?, simple as that.

Cheers Paul, appreciated. Kanbun was a popular word in this exercise, once owned a Kanbun shape Katana, very little sori, only 6mm

Doh!, thought no2 could have been Late Muromachi, seem to have lead my self astray wondering about the nakago.

If I'm wrong its because I rushed to get the results in on time 1) Shinto. 2) Mid Nanbokucho 3)Late Kamakura 4)Early Kamakura.

Ford, you must have the patience of a saint, I used to get worked up doing spot the ball, 260 Xs on a sheet, in the end I bought a stamp with 260 Xs lol

Haha, well done Ken.

Hi Ken, all I will say is do your homework, its a lot of money, check the sword and mei against other examples. Over and out.

Hello If i were you, i would do some reading. I mean well

Ye, I know a lot of head scratching goes on in there too, all fun

Im joining you and Jean in the Koto missing mei department

Perhaps I could sum up my thoughts in a different way. A fictitious example Lowry the painter works with a few sons, possibly two or three students, their work is indistinguishable, he has taught them well. He signs his name, they sign his name, all a bit confusing. Buyers want his name, Lowry likes that, he charges more! Now, back up to date, Mervin, the buyer in the future buys a Lowry with an authentication paper, stating its by Shodai Lowry (1st), he pays big bucks. BUT, and its a BIG BUT we don't know its a Lowry 1st lol, the Tardis had broke. So maybe the papers should state.........." Lowry school, possibly by Head Lowry 1st, we don't know for sure". so, how can authentication papers state that it is by Shodai Lowry 1st?