Alex A

In this day and age, is it too much to ask? Lets face it, sending a sword off to shinsa doesnt exactly cost pennies. Opinions anyone?

Hello Karl, thanks for uploading some of your findings, look forward to having good study later: Your Andy Warhol analogy was interesting, got me thinking, some might say speculating (or is it speculating?) Lets say I have a Tadayoshi, paid £10,000, with all the bells and whistles, and Hozen. Using the Andy Warhol analogy, one might ask two question. 1)Who made the sword?. Can anyone say for sure who made the sword?, Back to the pupil thing again, some Work by an apprentice will be indistinguishable. I can imagine Tadayoshi popping into the smithy now and again with a brew looking things over. Unless that is, you discover the Teacher/student code??, maybe that will clear up this problem. 2) Who signed the sword?. Lets face it, if we were not there to witness it, how do we know they signed it?. Must have become pretty tedious signing mei, whos to say that Tadayoshi didn't pay a guy to sign his mei?, How long would it take skilled chiseller to learn, a few afternoons on a few rejects maybe, code included. Hmm, but would there be a "passing the buck" code? So, chances are that someone has paid a lot of money for something with a few hidden truths, its fun buying stuff that's 300+ years old. Who gains from all this, I wonder?. Who knows, if you get to the bottom of all this with braking the codes, you too could make some money from appraisal.

Hard to say from the pics (and nightshift eyes) but looks like the hamon may run down the nakago, which may suggest suriage, which may suggest why the nakago does not look so old. I suppose the two mekugi ana may back up that idea......notice the use of "may".

" or least use the chisel-code... number of strokes... direction of your chisel etc that identifies you. If any inferior goods are returned to the Smithy... heads-will-roll... as your boss knows who made it. A bit like an identifying-modern-product-date-stamp. I'm so confident in the CODE.. please POST the character HIZEN... frorn ANY 'Tadayoshi School' blade ...and I will tell you who signed it. The hand that held the chisel." Hi Karl, if your code works?, and as in your last statement, it will tell you who signed it. So, not to confuse, but how do we know (for sure) from all this who made it? To clarify, an example. A Tadayoshi (none in particular) asks his student to make five swords, the student makes five swords. So impressed is Tadayoshi that he signs all five swords (using his particular code). A sword is returned by a customer with a problem six months later. Who takes the blame??, poor old Tadayoshi, that's who!. If he had been clever he would covered himself using an apprentice approval code maybe? lol When you say inferior goods returned, can you clarify?, would have thought there would be a pre- delivery inspection. I suppose an example could be a sword brakes in a duel and the customer demands a refund or a replacement maybe?. I suppose you would need a receipt, bill of sale. Where one would draw the line with this I don't know, anti-corrosion warranty maybe Ps, I'm not sure there will be any takers on your offer at the moment, you haven't offered any evidence, images or in-depth explanation to your theory. On a good note though, does get me a wondering/speculating.

This is worth a read Ken. http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/12646-advices-for-newbies-buyers-rules-of-thumb/

More confusion, you did say Katana, and no I'm not emailing them http://www.aoijapan.com/katana-kato-jyumyo http://www.aoijapan.com/katana-mumei-owari-seki-2 http://www.aoijapan.com/katana-bishu-ju-masayasu-kitae-no http://www.aoijapan.com/katana-mumei-shinshinto-5 Just to add. Carlos, know what you want, don't mess sellers/dealers around............. I get the impression you really shouldn't be buying and I can see you returning items. (you will lose money and have hassles in the process)

Hi Ken, you may be surprised to learn that they are not much of a conversation piece, at least in my experience, unless your talking to someone with an equal interest. In general though, you may get one or two that thinks they are cool and ask "err, is it sharp", but then really annoy you when they test with their finger (touching any of the blade with greasy fingers is a big NO NO). Of the one or two that think they are cool, you may end up getting bored of having to go over the Muramasa story every time you see them. Some folk may think you are a little strange and eccentric, some will raise an eyebrow when they learn of the expense involved in collecting. On occasions when friends and family visit, I prefer to keep the swords out of the way, to prevent injury and damage to the swords. One more thing, swords are not investments, but a luxury.

Hi Karl, all this talk of codes sounds a bit Bletchley Park.

, I can see why folk go down the armour route

Edit to add. Had a bit more time for messing and one is now on the way, look forward to it

I was just about to order with cdjapan. It gives prices for delivery, but no option to choose. But will let you pay for the book only with paypal. a bit weird, il try elsewhere.

Hi Karl, without numerous examples and evidence, its speculation (as mentioned) However, I admire your effort and find all this interesting:)

Hi Karl, we do need some pictures I know the diamond your talking about, but I'm getting lost. Can you please clarify what it has to do with the mei in question?

I see, cheers Ray.

As I was driving out then I was thinking there may be another reason, one would think a big name would pull a few strings:)

Hozen is enough for some folk, no need to go to higher papers, sword appraised, job done.

One more point that as always been on my mind, and I will state now that on certain occasions I asked for opinions on swords myself, so I'm on no side. Its all well and good passing on advice to newbies, but there is the other side of the coin and I think it was mentioned earlier. Someone passing on their advice may very well loose a genuine someone a sale, simple as that, a plus=minus:(

So in your eyes John, making a profit is a bad thing, god bless ya. Ps, don't worry about smearing me, not assed Those who know me, know me.

Hello John 1) none of my business. 2) why am I duping them?, I'm entitled to try and make a profit. How would you have liked it if I had interfered with your recent Katana advert? .I Iiked the sword, but thought it was overpriced. Reason.....no papers.

As for butting in on pricing, cant say id be too happy. If I payed £8000 for a sword five years ago and then place it on here tomorrow for £10,000, then who as the right to state I'm asking too much? As stated previously, swords eventually find their own price, without interference If someone is selling junk at £10,000, then obviously it wont sell unless the buyer is a complete idiot. I do wonder sometimes if this site as become the ministry for the protection of newbs, guilty myself. Genuine folk do need to sell swords and hopefully for jolly good prices.

Yes, ive read that some of the Osaka master works hada, Sukehiro, Tadatsuna etc is referred to as nashiji.

Excellent Paul, I remember thinking id get me an example one day, until then, Konuka hada will have to do:)

Hi Paul, is this the hada you once photographed?

It is a complete mystery to me why anyone would want to post a negative comment in the for sale section when an item/seller is obviously genuine. Selling swords is a pain in the ass to begin with, without someone posting unwanted, unfounded and unnecessary comments. Personally, i don't think there should be any comments at all, good or bad. Its up to potential buyers to influence themselves.

Hi John Your assumption may be right, my opinion was just that, an opinion. There may well be hundreds of happy customers out there whos opinion differs to mine. A case of doing your homework and then buying wisely.