Alex A

Hi Kirill, it is a tricky one and im not sure either way, Spent time having a quick look in books and online yesterday, and found a reference somewhere to the Yukimitsu i mention using iri-yamagata, which is what the nakago appears to be. Sometimes with references/material, there is little to go on. There is also a chance the end of the nakago has been reshaped for one reason or another, just speculating. Nakago looks reasonably old to me, but who knows. With lots of time spending on it, in hand,im sure it could be worked out, or maybe just send it to Shinsa.

Looks to be iri-yamagata nakagojiri Still reminded of Ishido. There was a Kashu Yukimitsu, became a pupil of Ishido, he signed 2 character Yukimitsu (not saying the mei is legit) and the nakago style was the one mentioned. Best i can come up with.

Well done. The hamon reminds me of Ishido

Thanks Gents. Your links work Ray , cheers, but previously when i do the usual search on google for "Shoshin smiths" it takes me everywhere from internal server error to Zen to Kitchen retailers with no sign of the sword website. Mystery, at least I can reach it now, thanks.

Anyone know if this good old site is still up and running?, hope so, just not been able to view it the last few times ive looked.

Hi Roger, to my eye, hard to be certain as copper can get all kinds of coloured staining, but im thinking its remnant lacquer, but might be wrong. If so, would not bother me. If your talking about the visible copper patina, cleaning, handling, weathering etc will have an effect over time, one side more than the other.

I would ignore the mei too. Something about the blade/nakago, getting an hunch its a later blade, crisp edges and Hamachi, maybe

Hi Jean-Pierre, this hobby has a way of making most of us feel the same, most of the time The wave tsuba is still up for grabs, and open to reasonable offers, Cheers

Sold.

Very Sad news, I didnt know Arnold personally, but always enjoyed reading his posts. He was very helpful, knowledgeable and came across as a real gent. He will be missed. RIP.

Not if they are anything like UK customs, ive been waiting since May

Sorry, missed a few zeros off the tariff code, as usual Its 9706.00.00.00 From a recent thread, Ted summed it up better. I would add that when exporting items to the UK, along with the Harmonic Tarrif Code (HTC) of 9706.00.00.00 and the notation of "Antiques, more than 100 years old", it is also helpful to also write in bold print in the description "RELIEF REQUESTED" which is another key term to alert HMRC that the item is antique and subject to 5% VAT instead of 20%.

Dunno about service, but if over 100 years old. “Antique, over 100 years old, customs tariff 9706.00.00. Reduced import duty due to antique” Ps, declare value paid in full

Think this is the reason most of us are still interested.

Hi Hawley, im in UK.so that's a yes, for a while, not really sure for how much longer, might be until 31st Oct.

Thanks gents. As always, open to serious enquiries and il see what can be done on price, with both of my tsuba in the sales section. Stephen, I thought this one would be right up your street Ken, id always wanted a dragon horimono on a blade, which I now have. At the time though, this filled the gap as the carving is done so well.

Thanks Chris, from memory, read dragons were a popular theme for them, so I suppose they got lots of practice Dont want sell either, but not being a millionaire means I have to move on stuff from time to time. Usually for more goodies, but this time the house.

Next up, an excellent tsuba by one of the Hizen line, mid Edo. Signed Hirado-Ju Kunishige, with Kao. In copper, measures 7.6 x 7.1 x 0.5cm. Comes with its own box. This one came by way of Nick at Nihonto art, think its still in his archive. (worth a look as pics likely a lot better than mine) Worth a look online for info about the Hizen line, was a decent amount of info available when I bought it some time ago. Very well done dragon, lots of great detail, subtle decoration to the surface. Hope my pics show the detail, done best I can, I think the scales on the dragon stand out, so lifelike. A few small marks and scratches. Should it sell, sure the next owner will be very happy. SOLD No plans to drop my avatar anytime soon NO "PM SENT" ALLOWED!!!!!, just pm me. Here or alex.aspinall@sky.com

Just a few words to anyone interested, "pm sent" in my book does not confirm a sale, so if anyone is genuinely interested, please get in touch.

It is a good one Curran, not one I intended selling, but at last I got somewhere I can build my Japanese garden, so needs must.

A new house move dictates the sale of a few very good tsuba, this one is a real beauty. 7.4 X 7.1 X 0.5CM at the seppa-dai. School?, im not sure, so wont state one. It has had a few knowledgeable folk scratching their heads Date?, I would say around 1700, but ive had other opinions stating earlier and later. Looks to be Shakudo One for Shinsa maybe, although not something ive ever felt necessary, just enjoyed it for what it is. Sales page from when I bought it, Currans pics/description may help better than mine. Will try and add more if requested. http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/23939-black-wave-deeply-carved-kinko-tsuba/?hl=%2Bwave+%2Btsuba Will guarantee any new owner will not be disappointed, a stunner, love the way the design travels around the rim. SOLD

Hello James, Commision the sword, then the fittings to fit the sword. (best they have the sword in hand) Bare in mind that posting swords around can sometimes be a worry, with shipping and customs etc..

Sounds like a plan, so god dam old school it might just work Cheers, il do that.

Hi Peter, Thats what i did, filled in the form and sent back all the relevent info and proof. I then recieved a reply saying they would send a refund, but thats where it ended. Ive contacted the number on the back of the letter which when you call says "this number is unavailable". Ive contacted numbers ive found online which send me around in circles. People replying saying this this is not the right number, then give me numbers I have already rang. Ive called Coventry hub four times, been told border force dont take calls, then after becoming slightly annoyed ive been given another number. When i called it a recorded voice on the other side gives details of enquiries they wont reply to (different to my enquiry), so i left a reply, and then i get no reply. Seriously, ive never known anything like it, just glad we are not talking a larger refund. One of the other things that bugs me. If you get over charged by border force, you have to pay it up front anyway to receive the parcel (then possibly.go through all this nonsense afterwards) Brian, cheers, i remember that page now.

Hello, might well be.