Alex A

A good write-up A BRIEF STUDY OF BIZEN BLADES OF THE MUROMACHI ERA - NIHONTO As i said, if you see a low grade sword, you will know it. A few weeks ago we saw signed and dated Sue Bizen sword, turned out it was gimei with a date to match, though looked Bizen. I am of the impression there may be a significant number of mumei Bizen swords out there with fake mei (WITH DATE), some of which get papered as the swords are obviously Bizen. Blanket term "Kazu Uchi Mono", the bad ones that stood out to me when ive seen them don't even have a mei, have really rough hada with Masame and have no appeal whatsoever. If the smiths that produced them were doing stuff like saving on steel to make as many as they can then why the hell would they spend extra time chiselling a date out on junk for throw away utilitarian swords? The good ones you come across are signed and dated, have well formed Ko itame/mokume hada with Jinie, utsuri. A lot of the time with horimono such as bo-hi, Futasuji hi. many made in or around Eisho In between low grade and high grade a wealth of variety. Not all were bashed out in no time. The term "Kazu Uchi Mono" can be a little irritating when the better ones get thrown under the heading, but that's how it is.

Are you talking about the wakizashi?, they can be an hard sell. Just too many out there and many with papers, lots of competition. I would say that if it was paired with a katana and sold as a "daisho" then it would appeal to many. That's just how it is, real "daisho" or not.

Forgot how many times ive seen in an Aoi write-up that swords made in or close to Eisho, of the style above are not of the low quality mass made "Kazu uchi mono" that are refereed to in the likes of Connoisseurs. I guess its the { } blanket statement scenario Sword above looks decent, if you see a low grade mass produced sword, you will know it. Many have passed through here over the years to look at.

It was this line below, im just thinking moisture got under the seppa, for some reason, over time. "In your case you need to define if there is the possibility that at the interfaces between the two metals there could be water, maybe condensing humidity or rainy water." To me, it don't look like there is any coating on that tsuba, to me, its maybe plausible there has been some kind of reaction there, especially looking at the surface thats left. Though what do i know lol, its just a proposal for folks more knowledgeable to consider it plausible. I can vaguely remember Ford years ago talking about reactions to steel, though cant remember the details.

Thats it Jean. It was the 2nd picture down, appears to be flaking off in line with where the seppa sat. Maybe its plausible, dont know.

Interesting thread, when reading, for some reason i keep getting cravings for chocolate coated biscuits. Anyways, what i find interesting is where the issue is on the the Tsuba Dan presented at the beginning. Just a thought, could this be down to a reaction between steel and a copper seppa?. Reading online as dont really know what im talking about, folks are saying that when copper and steel are in close contact there can be issues with corrosion under the right circumstances. Though then i wonder why we don't see it more often. Just another thought. Ive pulled this up, perhaps it was sat on a sword in a damp area, dunno Reaction between copper and reinforcing steel - Corrosion engineering | Eng-Tips

Its a pity parts of that dont match, its been re-wrapped etc. For someone wanting a cheap daisho for display only, could be a starting point, though seen a lot better

Its all personal preference . No disrespect to OP, but if you need to ask, and especially on high price items. You should hang on until you know for yourself. Otherwise you might buy something you later regret buying.

Im assuming the cut was probably the last time it was used as a sword. I would certainly put it on the shelf.

Bought a nice big Saotome from Eric many years ago. Did me a very good deal. As mentioned, better contacting him away from ebay. Also worth mentioning that ebay reads your private mails, believe it or not. So a reply you get from a seller may not be the same reply you get through an email off ebay. Known people, me included on 2 occasions to get warnings about trying to do deals off ebay.

I like it Piers, be nice on a little tanto stand. Doubt you would have any trouble selling it. In fact, to me, its the kind of piece that is right for display. One day plan to get a daisho for display purpose only. Im not too bothered about the blades and what to spend as little as possible, but with decent fittings.

Just had time to look into the Kii Ishido and cant really find much about it in comparison to other schools, not even anything about about what the hada looks like in the index of Japanese swordsmiths. A mention of the hamon and midare Utsuri. Looked elsewhere and there is a mention of itame, mokume and masame. Then above from Fred's site, Ko-itame hada mixed with o-hada that is inclined to be masame-hada. Utsuri is seen at times. Its a mixed bag, so to speak. In that respect, its not an easy sword for these games. We are looking at a drawing, i never looked for a drawing to match. The mention of Ko-itame above don't really help when your coming across a mixture of various hada write-ups. If it comes down to looking at a drawing and seeing if i have a drawing to match, this particular type of kantei is not for me. As that was the only way i would have got it. Thanks anyways.

We are not bickering, we are talking. And ive yet to see that this is typical work though wont have time look into it now. Anyone can pull a random sword but hardly fair unless its the usual work of a known smith. Actually, not worth taking part.

I was talking about your kantei Yasuhiro. Not looked into it but got the impression it is not TYPICAL work or is it? Us guys here are not NBTHK and don't have their database In future, before i spend a time doing one of these kantei, the first question i ask will always be "IS THIS KANTEI TYPICAL WORK FOR THE SMITH?" If not, not interested. We all know the smiths we are interested in and that makes it easier. Unknown smiths with non typical work and it becomes a non worth it. Though we all like different stuff, so il leave it there.

Didnt read 238 under 10 minute (within fun and not pain rule) Though according to Freds website above that usually follows the written notes, im not thinking its typical for the school Though late now and just a thought. I am always under the impression that any photographic or like kantei HAS to be the usual type of work for any smith, otherwise its just grey area.

To me, its more Sukehiro than Yasuhiro, so come to the conclusion its gimei

Actually Reading what was written above "Ko-itame hada mixed with o-hada that is inclined to be masame-hada. Utsuri is seen at times." Have you picked a TYPICAL sword Jacques? Sword MUST be Typical, otherwise its just a nonsense exercise and ive wasted 10 minutes plus a bit more

Actually quite interesting. Its only that way when you spend as little time as possible on it, you can look at this stuff for hours on end., I will tell you how i came to the Sukehiro. Knew it was Edo and the mention of "midare" Utsuri stood out. I couldn't remember who exactly was the Edo Utsuri swordsmiths so grabbed Connoisseurs to have a look. Under the heading Midare Utsuri Shinto, Sukehiro was mentioned and thought would take a further look and a lot fit.. Like i said, wasn't spending all day on this and just for fun. Never studied this smith. Blade appears really healthy. Well done to those above in the right department. Oh, and no Jacques, in all the time on here i dont remember you ever talking Ishido, mostly Hizen

Dunno now you add that link Ko-itame hada mixed with o-hada that is inclined to be masame-hada. Utsuri is seen at times.

Im confident that Jussi with his database has the answer, and ive not even looked to check

No experts here, we all guessing. Like i said, just throwing some in without spending all afternoon on it, gave myself 10 mins, now looking again. Check out the slanted yakidashi here, similar to Jacques above but i guess looking closer, not as slanted. Then i just think one of those things, all hand made. Q682. Long Katana by Tsuda Sukehiro, Tokubetsu Hozon - Japanese sword books and tsuba

Maybe Thomas, just looked online and did see oshigata with long Kaeri with hakikake

Giordy, knowing Jacques it wont be Ishido It looks Edo, so taking into account It has Utsuri. Without spending all day and just for fun, something like Munetsugu or Sukehiro.

Anyone seen a tsuba on a tsuba on a tsuba?

Remember Uwe, and from memory someone got it right.