Alex A

Don't forget, that's just my opinion above. We see Sukesada mei from various Sue Bizen Sukesada that look shoddy but have papers. That one looks a step too far. Nothings real clear from those images. I cant say any more than with what's available i would have passed. Others may have differing opinions.

The only folks people take seriously when it comes to authenticating blades are those like the NBTHK and NTHK. Opinions, but expert opinions. Auctions and even some dealers here talk utter nonsense to sell stuff. You can try talking to them but they might just say something like "our expert verified it and it was open for people to come and inspect before the sale"

Hi Marcus, auctions talk nonsense at the best of times. The blade actually looks ok, so as long as you paid the right price for a gimei blade with a dodgy nakago then all is well. As someone new to the hobby i would do a lot of reading up and stay away from auctions. You can buy swords with NBTHK papers etc that authenticate the blade.

Not great pics, but dont like the look of that mei or the state of the nakago. Saying that though, the blade could be Sue Bizen

Excuse my ignorance, was unaware. Appears one can buy stuff like above in the UK. Buy Samurai Swords katanas on Katanamart.co.uk | The best Handmade Samurai Sword Katana for Sale | - Katana Mart Japanese Katana Swords | Buy Japanese Samurai Replicas Swords from our UK Shop I guess there's a lot of martial arts practioners and reenactors about.

Been thinking about this. With knives and UPS, don't think there would be such a big deal about stating the word "knife" on the description because as stated, they ship knives. Mentioned a while ago i sent a WW2 commando dagger to the US with UPS and avoided the word knife. I stated "WW2 Souvenir collectable" but obviously they knew it was a knife as they contacted me about it. Answered a question regarding legality for ownership and they continued to ship it without an issue. I did not state knife originally but now wonder if it would have been a big deal. Will find out in the not too distant future when i ship another. Cant see any issue with describing a knife such as maybe "camping equipment utility knife for outdoor camping use, steel) or "Tradesman Utility knife for tradesman use, steel) etc. I guess one could still leave out the word knife if they wish and just state equipment, but they will find out its a knife anyways. Antique Japanese sword something like "Genuine Antique Japanese artwork katana/wakizashi/tanto collectable for collector/study, over 100 years old, traditionally forged steel) As said, UPS website mentions knives on their restrictions page, for UK it comes with an over 18 rule. Honesty is now the best policy. We are not trying to ship anything illegal. Anyone using stuff like "wall hanger" is asking for trouble and at the same time causing potential further problems down the line for future exporters. As in customs becoming even more pissed off with dealing with such issues and just throwing a blanket ban on everything. Now at the point where i don't want to see any non traditionally forged or historic ww2 blades entering the country as they are muddying the water for customs that are not experts on the subject. In this day and age descriptions must mean what it says on the tin, so to speak. Just sick of seeing stuff on the news where we all get thrown in the same basket as criminals and your youngsters buying Chinese reproductions. Sad, as i used to be one of those kids, not a criminal lol. Stuff like this, cant believe they still will ship to the UK. HANDMADE Japanese SAMURAI KATANA SWORD DAMASCUS FOLDED STEEL SHARP FULL TANG | eBay There may come a day where UPS and others decides to go full on "parcelfarce". Hope not, we would be well and truly knackered and have to resort to other means that will kill the hobby for many.

I wouldn't store a sword in its original old antique koshirae, not if its a valuable blade in good polish. Would be concerned of crud and old oil, oil that promotes rust (as been said a dozen times)

Id say you will be ok Brian, they ship knives. They are not at a "parcelforce" level yet, by a long ways.

Just in case anyone uses UPS to US and is vague when it comes to descriptions. Actually, having read it again then im not too sure whether relevant to us. I have a non business account with UPS and i got the mail. I guess its best not to be vague though Had this email..................................................... Significant new regulations will come into effect in the coming months: Shipments to the US - Enforcement on vague commodities descriptions starting 12 November 2024 On 4 September 2024, U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) announced that vague descriptions of goods in Air Cargo Advanced Screening (ACAS) will be rejected. A precise and specific description of the merchandise is now mandatory for shipments to the U.S. or transiting via the U.S. Starting on 12 November 2024, stricter enforcement will take effect. As a direct result, shipments with vague descriptions may be delayed at the point of origin. Item descriptions must be specific and precise to be considered acceptable. The best descriptions use the 3 W’s, supported by additional details: What is it? What is it made from? What is it used for? Additional things relevant to the commodity. For example: gender for clothing, size for water bottle, etc. For further guidance you can refer to the guide of acceptable and unacceptable descriptions on the CBPD website. Shipments to Germany – New German Postal Law effective 1 January 2025 Effective 1 January 2025, a new German postal law will impact the design of the UPS shipping labels. To comply to this new law, parcels weighing between 10 and 20 kilograms and those over 20 kilograms will have new labels that display a small ‘package’ icon indicating the weight class. Labels generated from UPS systems, such as UPS.com, CampusShip, WorldShip and Ship API, will automatically display this new requirement. UPS WorldShip® users should ensure that they are using the latest version, as only the most recent version will generate compliant labels. Customers who generate their own labels (e.g. Host to Host) will receive labelling requirements from UPS (UPS Guide to Labelling) to comply with these new requirements. It will be essential to input accurate weight data to ensure compliant labelling for any shipment to Germany.

Think I'm a bohi short of a kissaki having got involved in this one,

Anyways, we are not talking about sounds, this is BS Preservation first, sorry

Arnt the real expensive old violins said to be a better sound?, for listening to?. Same reason why folks buy old expensive guitars. Don't see the comparison with a sword, sorry What you can do with an old sword you can do just as well with a new sword. Ps, drop the sword and break the point off, game over.

No worries, touchy subject lol

Its well known that a saya can scuff a blade, seen it myself. This is silly thread, borderline troll. I'm not saying you are, just alarm bells beginning to ring. Anyways, its your sword, do as you will.

Nope. Why, when you don't have to?

Japan? Id assume its failed shinsa and someone is looking for a sucker. Best way to think, then you wont get burnt. Nothing interesting about it anyways.

No, but did bump into a vid on youtube regarding the school.

Id be leary too if those are the only pictures you have.

Good on him

That's good to hear, Piers. Kind of unusual to hear for me, as in comparison to European guns where a name on a piece seems to be the first thing folks look for. Thinking about it, European guns without a signature seem to pale into insignificance, don't even remember seeing that many without a name unless mediocre. See plenty of cannon without a manufacturer, but heard the reason for a missing manufacturer name was to avoid any repercussions should it fail.

As per title, asking because i don't know. I'm assuming guns off the castle rack, probably not.

You always see the odd non Japanese seller with a Japanese ww2 sword, tanto or whatever. On rare occasion something really interesting but usually out of polish. The ones i can remember were a Yokoyama wak in WW2 mounts, the guy wanted £600 or best offer and a very old Koto sword in WW2 mounts for £1100, something like Uda. Seen plenty of Edo swords with decent antique koshirae, usually something needs doing though, whether a polish or re-wrap the tsuka. You never know what you may come across, i guess that's why i like to go.

Looks fantastic, looks a good turn out. Never been there but been to other smaller fairs in UK. As for Japanese swords at such fairs, without papers, they have to be priced to sell or dealers are taking them home.

Really like how the pines are done on the Akasaka. Grev.

A lot of desireable goodies in this line up!