Alex A

I didn't mean necessarily in the case with the sword above. What i meant is, if someone was to discover an hagire after a polish, making it unsaleable. Then rather the crack, an unscrupulous seller could relace the crack with what appears to be a cut. Using an hardened chisel or what ever means someone in the know could come up with. To appeal to those that find "battle scars" so appealing. As noticed there does seem to be a following and such blades usually sell, a lot faster than those with Hagire. I have a suspicious mind, that comes with what ive learned about buying antiques over the years. Folks find ways to fool folks. Ps, Hagire in that area of the blade are quite common, hence why you see so many waks made from Katana.

Popular for Bonsai.

I know Jean

Maybe, Jacques.

Cheers Brian, didn't realise Darcy covered Shinsakuto in that write-up Brilliant, thanks

Been reading over the gov website and nothing stands out as an obvious choice Works of art, collectors' pieces and antiques - UK Integrated Online Tariff - GOV.UK (trade-tariff.service.gov.uk) Going along with the description of Japanese ARTWORK BY ETC As you will see, no obvious choices. There's a few ways this could be played, honest way best. Thinking 9701000000 Off the internet, title the only fit but....... UK Hs Code - 9701 : WORKS OF ART, COLLECTORS' PIECES AND ANTIQUES 9701000000Paintings, drawings and pastels, executed entirely by hand, other than drawings of heading 4906 and other than hand-painted or hand-decorated manufactured articles; collages and similar decorative plaques 9701100000Paintings, drawings and pastels 9701900000Other 9702000000Original engravings, prints and lithographs 9703000000Original sculptures and statuary, in any material 9704000000Postage or revenue stamps, stamp-postmarks, first-day covers, postal stationery (stamped paper), and the like, used or unused, other than those of heading 4907

Stumble across this "daisho" (lets not go down that road again) Anyways, bit of a story from the seller and thought if there was some provenance along with the blades, i could accept the condition and be an happy owner. For someone that wants a cheap display set and is not concerned about faults etc, at this price it could be perfect, doubt you will find anything cheaper. https://www.nipponto...swords9/KT338101.htm

Thanks Peter, seems the antique dealer i was speaking to had it right. Wow, what a number.

I have asked John. Im just curious about the number of swords that was mentioned Personally, not interested in buying swords at the moment and dont want to appear like some kind of vulture. Just curious about who this collector was and the numbers mentioned. Will get back.

Hi John, Goes hand in hand with collecting old historic swords of that time that have seen many polishes. Your looking at a sword that is not now as it once was. Hence why some look to swords that are later, Shinshinto and even modern. Horses for courses.

According to a contact i recently met. According to him, a collector has passed away that owned a huge collection. Anyone heard about this ?

Nice one Jussi, explains it.

Cant see, Mino Kanenori? Hamon looks Mino.

Chunky at 3.30cm and 0.8 thickness. In that respect find it a little unusual that the Hamachi appears worn. Again, maybe intentional along with the lack of mei and two ana, as in reproducing the shape of an old works. Think the main reason for cheap price was simply folks like signed swords, especially Shinshinto. Seen Naokatsu katana which are unsigned going relatively cheap. It has Hozen, for some folks that's all a blade needs.

Tobiyaki Though does appear unusual. In that some appears to be joined and some isn't. I quite like it, different. https://markussesko....tei-3-hamon-boshi-1/ Ps, it is close to the edge, usually the result of seeing quite a few polishes. Tell us more about what you know about the blade, might make it easier.

It was good value for money, you cant get too picky when you want a Naotane for that price, They mention slight rust on the edge, looks like nothing to worry about. That's what i see in one of their images. (stain)

Peter, i forget, sometimes go around in circles with this hobby. Reading the article made me remember about the school copying older works. I should know as studied Naokatsu etc. Maybe intentional. Cheers

An owner will always be left wondering why it was unsigned. Some can live with that, some cant.

As a neutral on the topic of armour that knows nothing really. I find the level of some fakes so impressive that i wonder how you guys can ever tell the difference, I'm not talking obvious fakes. Then on top of that there are antique that are restored to the point where its seems hard to tell the difference To such an extent my enthusiasm for the subject as gone from 100% to zero and now have little interest in purchasing anything armour related. Seems a lot of disagreements over certain aspects. Anyways, just thoughts from an interested reader.

Its weird that consistency never gets a mention. in all the time I've personally been interested in Japanese swords I've seldomly seen it mentioned. Folks go on about top level smiths and their swords without ever talking about consistency. The penny only dropped for me in this last year regarding consistency, that's because i looked at one particular smiths blades over and over again. You see so many that you pick up on what were good, bad and average blades for a smith over his career. Who knows, perhaps even an apprentice was responsible for the bad ones. This leads me on to the Japanese value system http://www.sho-shin.com/value.htm Sometimes you see a smith marked as average (chu-jo). You see blades marked as excellent blades by sellers and such blades are in high demand and sell fast. You ask yourself, why Chu-jo ? The reason.................................................CONSISTENCY. They made too many that did not make the grade and no doubt there are reasons for such blades, Those that created the rankings have been in the position to study more blades This is so important to get your head around, it never ever gets mentioned. Cheers Paul. The lack of comments already......... confirms.

First thoughts for me were what a great way to hide Hagire.

Aye, very consistent. In style too. Raised an eyebrow a while ago when i saw this sword in Midare. https://www.aoijapan...kubetsu-hozon-token/ First thoughts with that school are Suguha and Konuka, not forgetting the likes of Tadakuni etc. Good quality control in that camp. Never see a bad one, just overly polished or suriage bringing the price down.

Not so much as a thanks, to anyone. You did not listen. My last piece of advice to you is ask the seller to provide proof from the NBTHK.

4th generation here, no doubt you seen it. A MASAHIRO WAKIZASHI « Unique Japan Would see about getting the papers confirmed with NBTHK. Read a few times that this is not a straight forward task though. Need a real clear shot of the mei, come to think about it and sword. Some info Masahiro - MAS176 | Nihonto Club This is all best done BEFORE a purchase. Just to add, comparing the mei. From what i see, im not liking the comparison.

Hi Nathan, its always a concern when you think something don't quite fit. You say "most" have Hizen, did you see mei without ?. Don't have time now but I'm sure others will check the books. You need to check that the work matches that of the smith at that time, shape, nakago, hada, hamon etc etc etc. Anything a miss could be an indicator of gimei. The price seems cheap, that's my concern at the moment. As this come from Japan ?