Alex A

The way i see it, cant argue with a shinsa panel, especially from images. They have it in hand and say the mei is legit. Is it Kanbun shape?,sori at 1.43 cm. See "Kanbun" around 0.6cm and almost straight, that's not to say you wont find lots of regular curved blades made in that period. Not sure on the width of this blade at the pointed end, sometimes wider blades do appear straighter in images, Dotanuki made wide blades at the pointed end. Don't see much info on later Dotanuki, be good to find out more. Congrats Jean-Pierre,

Thats one hell of a statement Jacques. End of day, all just opinions.

When I first looked at the mei, first thought was that it did not look Muromachi Dotanuki. Apparently, samurai were rather fond of Dotanuki blades.

Maybe the steel, preservation of nakago and their database of mei.

Wont forget that about Emirates and good to find out about EMS/USPS, cheers .

Agree, unusual.

Yes, that's it. Funny thing is though, tracking number works on the EMS site, but also on USPS as priority mail express international (product information) Just read the bottom of the page that Pietro presented, now I get it.

Not entirely sure Ken, the tracking stated it never left the US, but since then I received a letter from USPS/Parcelforce saying it was being held for further enquiries. I received that letter the same day the sword was delivered by EMS. Sometimes wonder what goes on, someone flags it, then maybe a couple of folk on different shifts with different amount of experience approaching it in different ways Just glad it arrived in one piece, all is well

Not wanting to sound like im blowing ones trumpet, just thought the info might help. Success, Katana, US to England, sent by EMS, no issues. Worth mentioning, this was the 2nd attempt, first time was with USPS but it was returned to sender.(All relevant information provided, tariff etc)

No nothing of armour, but the patina looks genuine, pitted, remnant lacquer. The weird thing though is the dragons. Just looking at the the one on the right, looks like it was done quite recently, with very little loss. They just don't look right.

Funny you mention india, I keep bumping into medieval European arms and armour, made in india. Interesting Nick.

Stringent rules there it seems from the NBTHK, Interesting when you see, blades of the 47 Ronin http://japaneseswordindex.com/ronin.htm Which one would expect to be worn as a "daisho" looking back in history, was not unusual for Samurai to have even oddball combinations.

No, understandable. I was buying a sword some time ago, noticed a scratch in the photos and asked the dealer if he could polish it out. He told me me what I told you about removing steel and it did make me think. If these swords are going to be around for many years to come then maybe its better to just accept the odd blemish. Prevention is better than cure, do you draw the blade properly? (on the mune and not sideways), touch of oil on the blade?. As mentioned in the other thread, I would get the shirasaya checked out. Had a similar issue with one of my blades, warped saya, maybe some debris. Always move your swords out of the way when folk come around, unless you want scratches and dinked saya.

Just a few light scratches, worth taking steel off the blade?

Been two or three good deals there over the last couple of months, and that was one of them. Actually, thought it was a great deal, lovely hada and bo-hi. I was also curious about the inlay "ichi", did they tell you more about it ?, best I could come up with was a Samurai that liked to blow his own trumpet Well done, nice sword.

No, i just use it as a starter to clean up old rusty iron.

Oh right, cheers Paul, makes me wonder how they make sense of it all down there.

Don't appear too bad, would just keep wiping it with a rag, touch of wd40 to start with, not in the sukashi.

Cant remember seeing the "50cm" line before, . https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-trade-tariff-import-prohibitions-and-restrictions/uk-trade-tariff-import-prohibitions-and-restrictions For example, swordsticks, knuckledusters, telescopic truncheons, which extend automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device, butterfly knives, belt buckle knives, push daggers, hand and foot claws, death stars, blowpipes, a disguised knife, that is any knife which has a concealed blade or concealed sharp point and is designed to appear to be an everyday object of a kind commonly carried on the person or in a handbag, briefcase, or other hand luggage (such as a comb, brush, writing instrument, cigarette lighter, key, lipstick or telephone), samurai swords with a blade not exceeding 50cms and certain martial arts equipment.

Found this Wah https://www.revenue.ie/en/customs-traders-and-agents/relief-from-customs-duty-and-vat/importation-of-collectors-pieces-and-works-of-art/index.aspx https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/imports/imps05200 https://www.taricsupport.com/nomenclatuur/9705000030.html Bit of a read.

Certainly wouldn't have it down as Edo, but im no expert.

Hi Ken, not UK, I bought it from your end, US. According to tracking my end, never left the country, from 3rd to 19th of this month. Not sure exactly Ken, possibly something to do with what was said in 1st post, but hoping not.

Having a go with EMS, see how that goes. Was just wondering what all the fakes, reproductions, etc get labelled as when they are sent? Imagine the headache for customs if using antique/tariff 9706

Was hoping to kick off the "shipping success" thread, but Bought a sword in the US and looking at the tracking it didn't get much further And as Elvis once said, returned to sender.

Bummer that Chris!.If its any consolation, i once had a tanto sent back to the sender because he didnt put his full name on the package. All depends who get on the day, and I suppose what mood they are in.