Alex A

Hi Nick, is there any of the paperwork from Aoi art? Alex.

I suppose one could confuse an assailant if one was left handed :D Keith, your leading me to believe you live in one mean neighborhood! Joking Alex.

Now i understand the katana kake rules ... Im an hilt to the left guy myself, call me old fashioned Alex.

Hi Keith, i see that you say a tachi in koshirae on katana kake should be blade down, is there a reason for this? I know it may just be custom, but would it not be better to protect the sharp edge? Alex

Not something i would attempt, sageo is my limit . Ive just sent a tsuka off, geting it done at a reasonable price and the guy comes highly recommended. Alex.

Hi Mariusz, ive seen a sword recently with a shoddy blade, shoddy signature, shoddy fittings, no papers! and a price tag of $10000, this wasnt on ebay. Arther C Clarke couldnt work it out... :? Its just proof that for a sword to sell it just needs to be in a posh website and attract a clueless customer with money.. Alex

I think there should be a list of good reliable dealers available (on and off ebay). Allthough nothing to do with nihonto, i am part of a world wide group that deals and collects meteorites. This organisation came about due to the numerous fakes and scams, mainly on ebay. Each member guarentees that what he or she sells is authentic and as an accurate description. I found this a great help when i first started collecting, less worry, i just looked for the imca logo in the advert. I no it sounds idealistic, but it does work and is great for the beginner. Im surprised nothing like this as ever been set up for nihontoo collectors, it all seems a bit hit and miss, especially for the poor beginner. I think something needs to be done, too many fakes, too many bull descriptions, dealers selling blades with no papers for silly money, as well as possibly gimei!, personally, i cant get my head round it. Alex

I dont know how many times ive read on here that ebay is a trap, there as been 2 recent posts on here with folk buying blades with kizu that where not included in the write up. I understand why some experienced nihonto collectors want to try there luck, but i bet 8 times out of 10 they wish they hadnt bothered. If you just want a wall hanger, a genuine blade, with kizu etc, and you pay $500 for it then thats fine, as long as thats all you want from it, dont expect a bargain for that price. You may come across a treasure in the rough on ebay from time to time (as often as halleys comet ), but you can guarentee theres a lot more folk than you with there eyes on it. If you dont want any regrets, buy something you can live with or even better, something of reasonable quality. Alex.

Personally i wouldnt worry to much about it, it isnt going to rust away and probably will be fine if you just left it alone and give it a wipe with a dry cloth now and again. If it really bothers you i would use a fine toothbrush with alcohol to remove any loose rust particles (Not rubbing excessively), then wipe with a thin layer of gun oil (almost wiping it all off again),the iron will look darker and in my opinion slightly better than it is now, the patina will change no matter what you use on it, i do this with some iron meteorites with a similar patina , it simply stops the risk of further oxidation problems, allthough if stored in a dry room that shouldnt be a problem anyway!, the original patina will come back sooner or later .Im sure some folk will dissagree, but i wouldnt pay for something it doesnt need, it is old, i think sometimes people want there old items to look new, too much..... Alex.

Cheers Paul, good exercise, much appreciated. Alex.

Ninhonto, haha, sorry! :D Alex

Hi Paul, later schools copying early work is a worry for me, but here goes, dont laugh :D 1 SHINSHINTO 2 KAMAKURA 3 MID NANBOKUCHO 4 SHINTO Alex.

Hi John, a very interesting site indeed...thankyou. Alex.

Hi Jean, good idea, i certainly jogged down enough about soshu den Masahiro blades, thats for sure, maybe thats a good start. When i look at dealer sites i often try and guess which period a blade was made, dont do too bad really, not to good on schools (at all). As Franco stated, i need to get down to the meetings, fairs etc and see the blades, i do have the opertunity, just that work always gets in the way, i need to retire or get rich (is this the reason why collecting ninhonto attracts the mature guys? ). I am now aware that some dealers charge an awful lot for little, and there to be avoided, obviously i cannot name the dealer, nor intend to, but, as Jean says its quality that matters, and for that reason i will be more careful where i look in the future. As ive been told, stick to the reputable dealers and sellers who have a passion for ninhonto. On this occasion i asked someones advice and thank them for helping out Alex.

Cheers Jean, i was unaware of that particular link!..All 3 blades have clear visable grain (itame),so books are not always easy to comprehend? The katana i was looking at is signed Masahiro, descibed as itame grain by the seller(tight itame), muromachi, 25.5"length (similar size to the Tsunahiro on the link) and also looks to have pronounced sakizori. No papers. Boshi looks ko maru, soshu den blades i believe are midare komi (from a book, again :? ). The one in this site is ichimai, so again, theres more to it then whats in a book............. Due to the fact there where no papers i had to ask the assistance of someone more competent than me. I stated the signature was sloppy, he agreed..... The write up about the blade itself was vague, and the polish wasnt good, at all, a no no, so to speak. All in all, spent 4 hrs looking into this, conclusion, learned something and not wasted any money, going to cool it down in the search department......................... Thanks again for your help.. Alex.

The connoisseurs book of Japanese swords (p201). A few people know i am on the lookout for an older sword, during my quest i have been side tracked (it as been suggested this easily happens). Ive seen a blade and suspect its Sue-Soshu... No need reply, learned the blade is trash Alex.

Ive read that these blades have a pronounced sakizori and that the jigane is a densely grained itame hada and is not usually seen!. If this is the case and you cant see it, how do you tell it from muji hada? Alex.

Im no expert, but i would be concerned too... Alex

Great site, been a great help so far, in the few weeks ive been on here ive learned a lot, i will still talk crap on a regular basis , but thats a learning curve, appreciate the help. Alex.

Huge Kissaki, great looking katana, a similar shaped sword for sale at Aoi art, dated 1596.(10307) Alex.

Hi Brian, id be happy with a sword like that, maybe thats the way i should go. Plenty of time to think on it, thanks for all your advice Alex.

Cheers Keith, from a financial point of view that makes sense. Funnily enough i was talking to someone at christmas who has just got a rarther large tachi in, it was in old polish, not sure if he is actually selling it, may contact him for its details, just out of curiosity. Alex.

Ive seen blades for around 10k, one in particular caught my eye, tokobetsu hozen, attributed to Oomiya, maybe go for something like this, healthy blade, no kizu, nice large kissaki, looks a good blade. Alex.

Hi Chris, all of the blades i have owned have been shinto, im looking for a change, something older, any other suggestions within my budget? Alex.

Keith, ive gathered there not cheep, Jean $10k ish hopefully will find me something decent. Alex.