Alex A

So glad Gary has posted his collection, not just now but over recent years. Great swords which have not gone unnoticed. Cheers for that, appreciated.

Exactly. Some people moan there is not enough "high class" swords, and when they do they have put up with this **** Explains why we don't see more.

Typical nonsense. FFS It is what it is, stop making it about your opinion, as always. Attention seeking at its best. Grow up, Ps, if your a physicist I'm an Astro nought No one with such intelligence would argue over trivial BS the way you do

Ivo, give over. As Colin stated, we all start somewhere and learn. All the best for New Year. Remember that there are those that are not in the naïve fan club. Good guys have been put off, and always room for return, which one day i hope they do. Just to add. Sometimes folks go on about the quality of swords brought forward to NMB but the show goes on with or without them. We all saw something brought to the NMB the other day that basically blows out of the water what any collector has here, quite refreshing and speaks more words than i can. People can over estimate their own importance, as always.

That's another level,

Its a skill i wish i had. Like many, seen so many worn and unravelled tsuka on swords at arms fairs over the years. Swords going cheap due to tatty tsuka etc From memory, that's how one guy in the UK we know got started, saw an opportunity and took it.

There is an arrogance with some people here that believe they are a fountain of knowledge that we all need. we don't. People collect whatever swords they collect and there are already resources such as books, the internet and willing and friendly folks that assist without making a big deal. Been here many years now and from time to time notice the subtle knowledgeable folks that pop in on occasion. There are number of such folk that come here, folks like Jussi that give opinion and share useful data, others that obviously know what they are talking about but stay in the background. At a point now where im not big on learning much more, know what i need to know. In that respect wont bat an eyelid at blocking anyone who stands on a soapbox and comes across as an A-hole. If i want to know more with regards a future purchase then like anyone here, i can do that myself. Some people talk like they are a dealer in Tokyo that have handled thousands of swords from many many schools, its embarrassing. Rein it in, you know who you are. Personally, never learned anything from such a person, that's a fact.

I like it, especially the Kabuto, though know nothing about armour. I'm not keen on the maedate for some reason, if it were mine would look for something more of the usual, more subtle. Though that's just my opinion and what i would do.

Used to be one of mine. Its old, Koto, a good size, without ana. You will never find another at that price.

Reminded of the saying that people see what they want to see, Its a free world, some folks even think the world is flat, even in this modern age. Dan, you are free to think what you want to think, just remember that folks wont always agree with you.

No worries Dee. We are an honest bunch here, The reason being for me. Don't like to see folks wasting their money on tsuba that will be difficult to sell in the future. Not preaching, just trying to be helpful. Cheers.

Not saying its the case here, Some swords just have issues, not all the same. Know one gent that said that he used to have trouble with one sword in particular, with spider rust. Said he got it polished up nice, then eventually it came back. Of the opinion that some swords are more susceptible to rust spots than others.

Super rare, but out there.

Maybe Jussi might have something in his files. Its what got me thinking of Shinshinto inscriptions, would say there must be some out there. Also the odd earlier smiths, with inscriptions, from memory.

Hi Dee, You asked for opinions and you got one from me. As said, no expert, i don't study them like i do swords but indulge in a purchase from time to time. However have looked at thousands over the years and seen many round tsuba with Amida Yasuri. In other words, seen enough to know an oddball when i see one. To me. it is actually a poor copy of a Koto tsuba, look how crisp the edges of the ana are compared to an older Koto tsuba, the plate appears quite thick. As mentioned, the rectangle ana is a Koto feature. I stand by my observation its an Edo tsuba that has been messed with. Cheers.

Hi Brian, i was trying to answer the question above be Georg as regards what the NBTHK might look for in respect of papering two swords as a Daisho "without" koshirae. Also in that respect, any documentation which would be a rare thing. So they would just have the two swords. so where do they go and what do they look for?. Your looking at two swords that were potentially made as a daisho without evidence they were worn as a Daisho. The link above for the swords dated 1985 with Hozen, in shirasaya so they were never worn as a Daisho though they were likely papered as they were made as a daisho. Its actually an interesting point that i have never considered before. Know what your saying though about swords being carried together and being described as a daisho, not particularly matching swords either. Been on the lookout for Daisho recently. What i have been on the lookout for is documentation/provenance that they were worn together as a pair but in reality thats not going to happen, too rare. From there you look at the koshirae, the more wear the better. I want to see old frayed ito, crumbling same, damaged and worn saya, good fit on everything and so on. Don't want to see anything fresh like it was cobbled together 10 years ago. That's as about as good as i expect to find for an actual Daisho that was likely worn by a Samurai but even then there is no actual proof.

You would have to have the two swords without any doubt that they were made as a daisho. You see "daisho" from time to time where someone has paired 2 random swords from the same smith together. You would expect the work for both swords to be the same or very similar, signed and dated at the same time. If not dated then that poses bit of an issue. Sometimes there might be an inscription as to who they were made for. I don't remember seeing a daisho with such inscriptions, never really give it much thought. Seen plenty of Shinshinto swords with inscriptions, im assuming there must be daisho with such inscriptions out there. Something like this below, modern but still with hozen. Daisho:Tame Minobe Akihide Shi Chikushu Sanno Ju Sotsutomu Saku Showa 60 Nen 8 Gatsu Kichijitsu (August 1985)(NBTHK Hozon Token) - Japanese Sword Shop Aoi-Art

Watched one of those last night. Love watching folks digging for historic items.

No expert, though once i suspect it was a round tsuba from the Edo with Amida Yasuri added. Don't think the shape it is now is original, to me it looks like its been messed with. The nakago ana and rectangle ana not original. Maybe to pass it off as a Koto tsuba. Just an opinion.

Purely for fun and off top of head first thought (without seeing if i have matching image), Hizen Masahiro.

Gary, amazing. You will have to tell us about those guns or cannon? you have one day.

I might take some flack for this, but for starters would stop using choji oil. Aoi art don't recommend its use. Maybe try a modern oil. I use express gun oil with a rust inhibitor, been using if for many years now without an issue. From Aoi 1. Generally, Choji oil has been used to treat Japanese swords. This is a sticky vegetable oil traditionally used in cleaning swords. It promotes oxidization Treatment - Japanese Sword Shop Aoi-Art

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.