Alex A

Its Ok learning about the quality of your sword and i understand your curiosity When i think about similar swords, side by side, by the same smith, made at the same time that look like one another, i cant help feeling like wtf does it matter. Pick the best one , side by side you will know it when you see it. You don't need big long eyebrows or whatever like the wiseman on the mountain. Cant remember the number of pages in Connoisseur's or whatever that describes blade features, not that many and you don't find that many features in one blade. Its not rocket science, though some folks think its quantum physics or sumert. Sometimes i think some folks think Japanese blades are somewhat magical from the BS that is spurted out, like some kind of mystical Excalibur or something, heading into phenomenon territory Usually from some kind of over enthusiastic Elitist that likes to over complicate things. (because it suits) Its only around a 3cm piece of steel for gods sake, we are not mapping the Amazon. If you hang around here long enough you will find that those that spurt such stories are usually the ones that are terrible at kantei and don't know their ass from their elbow (so to speak), stating Edo when obviously Koto and so on. Never mind stop oil, stop the Nihonto bullshit. OP, not aimed at you, but a useful tip

Think they call it a "commercial" polish. Shame, as some of the blades/koshirae combos in there over the years could have been amazing.

Must be many a wealthy person in the UK just looking for a Samurai sword, folks like "Tim nice but dim" Then that's where the story ends. In fairness, bought my first sword from there and it was ok, Koto. Did a bit of reading up then realised how much more there is to them. Then promptly exchanged it for i believe the one and only papered sword they have ever had in there, well, that ive seen.

Its scary to think some folks will get pulled in by those descriptions but as the old saying goes about a fool and their money,. I don't think they would do unless it worked for them. Plenty on there, mentions of Napoleonic battles etc etc, Fun reading though

Here's a blade with a story that I've just noticed, wow, what a story. https://www.thelanes.../shop.php?code=24540

Hi Nicholas, briefly. Its not a one size fits all. The smith i mention was capable of excellent work but at the same time some of his work could be described as average in comparison. There was a lack of consistency in his work. In that respect, quality is much easier to differentiate in images, and I'm talking excellent images only. Lesser quality work stands out like a sore thumb. You have to consider the state of polish, health of the blade. No good comparing an healthy thick blade that has seen little polish to one with a 5mm Kasane or whatever. A bad polisher will make a good sword look bad, and so on. I'm not saying you don't need to see swords in hand, I've owned and seen enough to know what im seeing in images and don't need to fly off to Tokyo or whatever. Jeez, great images are a blessing with my eyesight!. You need to see more Kunisada in hand though, by the sounds of it, then you will be in a better position to find you bearings. Look closely at the work online though and read as much as you can with regards his better swords. Look at the lower priced swords and work out why they are priced low. As said, not a one size fits all, there are times when you have to see swords in hand.

Utter nonsense.

I like a particular smith and ive been looking at his blades for some years now. You know before you see the price and then the price confirms your thoughts that the blade you are looking at is not one of the better examples. A Choji-midare hamon, like fire. When he did it well it was consistent, quality on both sides of the blade. With a lot that you come across, there's always a part of it done well and you wish the rest of the blade was as good. Sometimes the Nioiguchi becomes weak in places, parts of the hamon appear unintentional. When you have looked at enough swords by a certain smith, you get an idea

I had an issue once. First, an airline would not accept it so it went back to the seller. Re-sent and got held for further questions by British Customs., that is always the RISK. It was a Gendaito in WW2 mounts. In this day and age and the way customs are, i would just be honest with the description and value without mentioning the word sword. Something like Japanese Artefact in 1940s fittings. Don't be describing it as Antique, might backfire. I don't know the exact Customs Tariff code, you will find a suitable match on their website, don't use the antique code. Some on there for Cultural/art or something along those lines. Put as much information about the sword in the package as you can and make it idiot proof. Information about yourself, whether or not your a member of the British Token Society/ Antique arms society, all helps. I paid full tax. As for who to deal with. Would ask the sender to contact UPS, i say that because they have their own customs. If everything prepared before hand then its a lot better. Ive only ever imported antique guns with them though, but always without issues. Good because you bypass the dreaded Coventry Hub that you get with the usual US post. There was a recent thread where a gent here had some swords held, sure he put a lot of useful info in it. Good luck. Ps, Once had a modern tanto come all the way from the US and customs here sent it back to sender because the seller used initial instead of full first name on the package. No bull, that's how picky they can be.

You have to consider whether removing steel to sort out certain issues is worth it. The polish on the blade i own is very good, why create hassles to sort chips out,?. Doubt the polish could be done as good, without shipping off to a very experienced and expensive polisher. Preserve, when possible.

Some folks can live with issues, some folks cant. Whatever issue a sword has, always looks a hundred times worse in a picture. I own a blade with a missing tip and a few chips, marks. Don't bother me but some would find it horrendous.

Thanks Sam, good little vids those. Interesting Simon, cheers. Extremely rare to come by a sword like that, nicks and a story from its owner.

Nice one Thomas, that's on the list. Same here with Shinshinto.

For some, like me, like it when blades come with a story or even a little bit of history. Whether an inscription that states made by and made for a certain somebody to a family heirloom with some provenance. Anyone own anything like this or know where there are any write-ups ?

Hi Alexander, i could not easily see the mei on my pc, usually when folk mention "attribution", its usually an unsigned sword. Anyways, i see your problem. Antiques and inflated prices a bad combination, is it worth it if that means taking a possible hit on future re-sale value?, depends on how much you want something and how deep your pockets are, i suppose. Also, sometimes the dream of owning something and the reality after a year of ownership can be two really different experiences. In a recent thread Colin gave some good advice, he said something along the lines of "don't just buy something because its available". Its great advice and i know this from experience, you will never truly appreciate anything you purchase that way and likely sell it in the not to distant future. Look for keepers, quality or something really like, something special. If nothing about then don't buy anything. That's how it goes, jeez, there is stuff myself and others have been hankering after for years. Maybe consider a Wakizashi or Tanto? if nothing available, opens doors to better smiths and quality at a lower price. Good luck with your search.

Aye, you don't want to have a sword turning up with an undisclosed flaw, flaws mentioned in the link Baba put on. That site and others, introductory books should be read before a first purchase. You don't want to make the mistake many do and end up with buyers remorse. Think about what your doing, you ok spending 8k on an unsigned sword ? Maybe you have not seen other sites, like this and many others. https://www.aoijapan.com/

Aye, agree with Thomas. The boshi suggests Koto. Was just considering Takada but the yasurime, again. Be good to see it polished with an attribution.

Hi George. Reminded me more of Bizen than Mino, with the hamon. Initially thought Edo Ishido but the Takanoha you mention dont add up. (off top of head, look and who knows, you may find them) So maybe your right, maybe a not so obvious Mino ?, Do you see any Masame in the Shinogi-ji ? Just looking at a sword on Aois Museum, they call Mino with Bizen influence. Gunome Choji. https://www.aoijapan...-as-sue-seki-school/ I cant make out the boshi, is it the same as the hamon? Just ideas.

That's great advice!

For the confused. ”christ on a bike”, term, google it

please stop

Best education i have found is learning the words and asking questions here plus reading sales pages, a lot. https://www.aoijapan.com/ https://www.touken-m...ran/tachi_and_katana plus see other dealers above. Ps, you come across decent stuff on Ebay occasionally (usually over priced), but that's a small fraction in a never ending galaxy of stuff that wont sell in Japan, as pointed out

They wouldn't keep doing it if folks didn't keep buying it OP, educate yourself so you don't end up with buyers remorse and lose money. No disrespect intended, all been there

Aye, Kevin, that's it. Remember he sold all the supplies and did various services, had a really interesting site. A shame he is gone.

On a side note, does anyone know if that dealer in Derbyshire is still in business, Ryujin swords? His site wont come up on my pc and getting other sites using the name He used to sell papered swords and send stuff to Shinsa. Not spoke to him in years though, forget the name.