Alex A

Having a bit more time, finding it hard to pick one, as none really seem to have the sori and taper that i like to see in a wak. For that reason, id go with 3rd down, just because i find it the most interesting. Taper seems to be the issue here. Used to own the perfect shape Wak, deep Sori, nice taper with longer kissaki. This thread brings it to mind. Flicking through sales pages, generally fly past waks where width at the kissaki is close to width at the hamachi. Those above, just not enough difference and sori, for me.

Chill out Dan Folks make points Horses for courses

Ok Dan, no worries

Just helping from a financial point of view. As said before. Don't see point in buying 5 or so crappy tsuba that add up to $400 (with shipping) when that could get you 2 decent tsuba that you can actually re-sell If you like to throw your money away slowly but surely, that's your business. Let the OP make his own mind up, as you point out.

Paul, Wakizashi shape to me has been one of the most under talked subjects in Nihonto. Cheers for bringing it up.

They don't need to be expensive either.

Fair enough Dan. Maybe you could explain why you enjoy these tsuba and spending money on them. Might sway some of us.

Just to add to the OP. No expert but its Edo. Value, maybe $20 to $30, on a good day. Its heavily corroded, as mentioned. I'm surprised the cutlines go all the way through. To me it looks like someone attempted to cut a design but never finished it. It appears it last sat on a Wakizashi, due to small nakago-ana. I'm sure your next tsuba will be better, we all start somewhere. Folks can be picky about tsuba as they are numerous and decent tsuba can be picked up relatively cheap. Id be interested to hear about the shipwreck too, as that would add some appeal, if genuine and not a sales pitch. Disagree with Dan. Dont put all your money into buying tsuba like this, nothing much to learn and no enjoyment to ownership. It doesn't have a story to tell, as its a piece of iron without provenance and known history. I do get why folks will put up with some rusty relics. An example could be a cannon ball from the Mary Rose, bought directly from the salvage team. If you know what I'm saying. Being honest, welcome to the club

Ship wreck tsuba story here Colin ship – Tsuba Kansho

I think antiques are ok, its just that the lady I'm talking to is not up on the situation, so to speak. Was kind of tempted throw "modern traditionally made swords" in the spin but not great timing. lol On a plus note, at least more communication than last time i tried. Ps, No insurance anyways with these guys so i wouldn't use them internally anyways now. Its just for dealers sending from Japan, that's my concern. Though there is still UPS for that. Just thinking, the more options the better.,

Next response below. It says it in black and white about antiques above in the mail. Again, said i cant find that info on a Parcelforce website and asked to speak to a manager. Mentioned they cant be blunted as valuable and need to be preserved, as is. I think Antiques are ok, once we see this on a Parcelforce website Dear Alex , I am not expert ,I think they will as long as it's blade is blunted . I have forward your email onto my manager but I think they will just say what I have already sent on to you and say you will need to look and read the prohibited goods on our website . Do you have an account with Parcelforce ? Kind regards Executive Customer Service Team Parcelforce Worldwide CEO Office

Looking above, they have not updated or we are looking at the wrong site. Just sent her a link and asked, all a bit confusing. Retail Prohibitions and Restrictions | Parcelforce Worldwide

Reply below. Dear Alex , Thank you for your email . Bladed items are still not allowed to be sent but do you normally send the same sort of antique swords and are you sending them inland and internationally . My manager has said if you can send in photograph of the item, full description we can ask someone to double check for you This information should be on our website Prohibited Bladed Items Hunting/combat/survival type knives, daggers, movie knives that promote violence (such as Rambo or Crocodile Dundee style knives), replica fighting knives, throwing knives, machetes, swords, fantasy knives, knives with images or words that suggest use for violence, stiletto knives, battle axes, open razors/folding razors and any similar items are prohibited and cannot be sent. Also see Arms, Ammunition and Weapons. The following are not prohibited and will instead be treated as Restricted Bladed Items, provided the only intended use is one of the permitted uses listed below: Bladed items that are: commonly used for sporting activities; commonly used for religious ceremonial purposes (must be blunted); sgian dubhs (must be blunted and for ornamental purposes); being sent to a recognised museum; commonly used in historical re-enactment (must be blunted); commonly used in theatrical productions (must be blunted); and antiques. Note: in order to avoid your item being treated as prohibited, in the event of any checks it would be helpful to include supporting documentation to enable us to verify the relevant permitted use listed above. Important: Items intended by the person sending or receiving it to cause injury to a person are always prohibited and will be treated/handled as such regardless of whether or not they fall into one of the permitted uses above. In addition, see Arms, Ammunition and Weapons which are also prohibited regardless of whether or not they fall into one of the permitted uses above. For guidance on sending these types of items internationally please see bladed section under restricted Bladed items – “Knives” or “Blades” defined by s141A Criminal Justice Act 1988 or ‘Bladed Products’ as defined by s41 of Offensive Weapons Act 2019. Such items include, but are not limited to, any knife or knife blade, including cutlery knives, bread knives, knives that can be used for hobbies and trades (for instance, utility knives and snap-off cutters, gardening, camping, bushcraft and farming tools with a blade or any other trade tool that could commonly be described as a knife), butcher knives (including meat cleavers), felling axes, razor blades. Sharp or pointed items – (excludes: (i) knives prohibited under UK law - see Arms, Ammunition and Weapons - and (ii) Bladed items.) Includes, but not limited to scissors, mini chopper blades, food processor blades, sewing kits, knitting needles, syringes, chisels, piercing awls, saws, nails, pins, fishing hooks. These items can be sent with packaging guidelines below: • Package appropriately so items present no risk to employees, other postal items or recipients. • Wrap heavy cardboard around sharp edges and points, strong enough to ensure that the contents do not pierce the outer packaging. • Wrap each item with cushioning material and place in a suitable outer container such as a padded envelope. • The sender's name and return address must be clearly visible on the outer packaging. Please Note; Broken glass / broken ceramic items are prohibited from being posted. Kind regards Executive Customer Service Team Parcelforce Worldwide CEO Office

Perhaps for old Tosho tsuba, something like "XXL large old industrial washer"

Out of curiosity. Made it easy for myself and just replied to Parcelforces last email regarding the sword ban. Linked the Royal Mail update. Told them this is great news for antique collectors, and asked if they are following with the update?. Will see what comes back.

Got a replica when i was around 12 or 13, when Shogun was on tv. Long wait after that, and it was only thanks to a girlfriend at the time that had a pc, i was miles behind. Discovered the online Lanes Armoury in my 30s and it was like WOW. Bought a Koto blade signed Kanekado, didnt know enough to appreciate it and wish i could look at it again now. Real long nakago/tsuka. Nice old koshirae and from memory the tsuba was a real good one, Yoshiro Mon type. Had a strange nightmare that night. Returned that and got a papered sword, only one in the shop, Edo Kiyomitsu sword. Kanbun shape. Thinking back, shouldn't really buy swords until clued up a bit.

Think id go with something similar. Japanese iron artwork metal craft, Japanese copper artwork metal craft. Ps, From recent experience i heard about with a Japanese dealer. You really need to make every effort to get things done the way you want, otherwise they go autopilot and do everything the same way they have always done.

Wow, cant believe we are now discussing how to get tsuba passed customs. Strange times.

Aye, see where it came from now. Prohibited goods - items you can't send through the post (royalmail.com) Perhaps antiques just for internal UK shipping, needs clarification.

Sadly, your never going to know how it got there.

Yes Michael, definitely. I cant find on their website the info you provide above Michael, can you remember where you found it? At least UPS still accept modern swords.

Leave it for 3 days and see if its any better then. Maybe swollen with the water.

Its a pity Parcelforce have not given leeway for traditionally forged blades such as Shinsakuto.

Behind on this, that's great to hear. Think this doom and gloom thread had put me off reading further. Anyways., will add this. For Shinsakuto coming from Japan via EMS, EMS just returned a tanto to a dealer. It was all filled in correctly with the correct customs tariff. The dealer has now shipped via UPS. I will forward the info above to the dealer regarding antiques.

Id say it was common. Had one on a saya of mine when i was a kid. Don't know how it got there, it just did. Probably my cousins or something sword fighting with it, when i wasn't around.