Alex A

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.

Hi Keith, from what i have seen every blade in my price range is o suriage. I may need to adjust my sights and thinking :?. Alex.

Some serious reading there. Alex

Cheers again Paul, Franco, im in no rush so i will just see what crops up. As you say Paul, it is easy to get side tracked. Il check out the sites that have been mentioned. Alex

I have started to look at information regarding these blades, wide tachi with large o-kissaki (odanbira). From what i can gather most are unsigned and some are signed by appraisers due to orignal mei being cut off. I have already bought one shinto mumei blade and said to myself i would only stick to signed blades in the future, Now i am on the lookout for an old tachi as stated above. Are o suriage tachi of the era above more acceptable in terms of lost mei? and to find one signed, from a reasonably good smith (with papers), how much are we talking?.. Alex

Cheers John, il bare that in mind. Alex

Hi John, have you ever used this method to detect ha giri? Alex

Might be worh geting an expensive sword magnafluxed(sounds like someting from back to the future )on arrival..If anything shows up, return it to the seller. Alex

Is there anything the polisher could do to detect hagiri at the start of the process? If it where the polishers blade, would he do things differently?. Could he perhaps start with the hamon/boshi, or is the process written in stone so to speak, just a thought. Alex

Where theres money to be made,theres shenanigans..... Alex.

I suppose in battle, if a sword takes an hard knock, the bend and stress will cause cracks. Alex

Cheers Chris, out of curiosity, how are they caused,breifly, are they battle scars? or are they a fault in the forging/quenching... Alex.

Cheers Paul, i suppose a no quibble return policy is adamant. Alex

Cheers Mariusz, now i get it. The joys of buying on line :?. That would seriously ruin my day. Alex.