Alex A

Anyone else see Hitatsura?

Hi Curran, I hate buying anything these days unless there is peace of mind. Whilst the buyer of the tsuba above may be dazzled for a month or two with its beauty, sooner or later that crack will stick out like a sore thumb, would for me anyway. The price would have to be rock bottom, for me. It is beautiful though, a pity.

Wouldn't bother me until it was time to sell, then other folk bothering would bother me.

What Ray said, any doubt whatsoever about a sword, then don't buy it.

These really shouldn't fool anyone serious about the hobby. Just looking over the feedback, he got a good price for this one. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Japanese-Samurai-Sword-Ken-/292446327785?nma=true&si=NppRfiIq2FCLRIIx5pu6AdS1wJY%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Hi Jeremiah, just a few thoughts. Selling paves the way for new buying experiences. In ten years ive only picked up three items that I think of as "keepers". I have sold stuff that I miss, but have no regrets, it was necessary at that time. The fun part of this hobby for me is in the searching and learning about items, rather than the ownership. I guess most of us are limited to what we can spend on this hobby and cant go on indefinitely without something having to go. Its not just buying more Nihonto, you don't know whats around the corner with one thing and another, so good to know it pays back should it need to.

Good idea, I would only want to see info relevant to the item, no need for prices and talk of bargains. Difficult enough selling stuff (for a fair price) without folk waving past sales pages in your face and saying "look at this". I sometimes let stuff go cheap in order to move on, don't need a constant reminder.

Thanks all for your comments. Good news, the tsuba was delivered in Australia to the buyer on the 16th April As for Royal mail tracking, no updates other than "Your item, posted on 28/03/18 was delivered in SOUTH NORWOOD PDO on 29/03/18." ​Australian tracking still states "pending, no updates yet" All in all, a bit of a mess with the tracking and the staff at the post enquiries were not much use either, but at least it turned up safe. As mentioned in another recent thread, we do have a responsibility in looking after these antiques. I would have been very disappointed to have lost one. Thanks again to the buyer for his patience. ​

Thanks Peter, 28th March posted, 29th Norwood UK, then nothing apart from the pending on the Australian site. I didn't know updates can take that long to Australia, would think the 2 ladies ive spoke to so far would have mentioned that. I will install the app, Cheers

Bear

Thanks Gents, I put the shipping no into Australian tracking and it says "pending/ no updates yet". I put the correct address with the correct postcode. Your right Jim, it did go by way of Norwood UK. Ive just spoke to a lady down at complaints, she said Norwood PDO is the stop before the airport. She could not tell me where abouts it is but said give it some time, as she thinks there may be an error with the tracking and it may well be on its way to Australia. She also said that its not officially lost for 21 days, so in that time it may get there or hopefully be returned. Dave, if lost then I hope they pay out. Ive provided them with enough evidence, receipts and stuff. We will see, hopefully all will get sorted. Something I will bare in mind in the future. Cheers.

Ive not tried that Peter, will do it later today, thanks.

Cheers John and Greg. Cant believe they did this, absolute muppets. I will get onto complaints later, see what they can do. I suppose ive been taking it for granted that tracked is a reliable option, this will serve as a reminder. Buyers beware. Im NOT talking about this particular sale now and im guilty of this myself. When asking sellers to cut costs with shipping and assuming all will be well, remember one day that you might regret that decision.

Hi Ken, yes, but not for the full amount. On lower value items I don't usually go full value, folk don't usually want to pay it and most ask for the cheaper option. Usually I would ask the buyer, this time ive gone autopilot and not asked. I was given 2 options by the desk guy for delivery, things are always changing down there, A Tracked in UK, not Australia, but signed for. B Tracked in UK and Australia (went for this) Buyer will get full refund, I will get some insurance plus shipping costs. Hoping it will turn up, will call them again later. Unusual, first time in many years of shipping stuff abroad that this as happened with a tracked service, obviously will be more careful in future.

Sold the Katchushi tsuba a short while ago, and shipped it off to Australia, clearly labelled with the address and return address. I sent tracked, all the way. The one and only visible note on the tracking states "delivered at SOUTH NORWOOD PDO". ​I calls the post office yesterday to find out whats going on ? ​A lady replied "Errrrr, not sure where it is". ​She added "There could be an error and its still on its way to Australia OR its lost in Norwood (UK), either at the post office OR been delivered to a Norwood UK address, really sorry about this, really sorry, very unusual" ​I said "you don't actually know where its been delivered????????????????" ​"No sorry, you will have to go down to the post office for a Pwhatever form , we cant do any more about it until we we get the form back with all the details , realy sorry, sorry" Ive never lost a TRACKED parcel before.

Thanks John, appreciated. Good luck with the Shinsa.

A good amount of info available for 1st and 2nd, but cant find anything on 3rd and 4th. Both signed Shinano No Daijo Fujiwara Tadakuni. Bit of a long shot and don't like to mither, but if anyone has verified examples of the mei for 3rd and 4th, I would be very grateful. Pm me if you prefer. Thanks.

I don't use microfiber, read its abrasive. (some time ago) I buy lint free 100% cotton rags of ebay, cheap, just throw it away when its ran its coarse. Used use old white tshirts, but none left lol

Just a thought, could it represent a lock plate, not lock or something common on old Japanese chests. Found this, long shot, but just a thought and likely not much help And with an edit after a few minutes, im just thinking the tsuba may just be symbolic, as in not an actual lock, but representing a lock = faith, commitment in something..... whatever. Christianity?, I don't know. Forget the chest fittings, might be over thinking it, lol

Ashmolean http://jameelcentre.ashmolean.org/collection/7/10237/10363

Saw a very similar one on Aoi a while ago, described as a lock.

Aye, briefly looking at the sword yesterday, I couldn't work out whether it was a mistake or with them having the sword in hand, they actually consider it a Tachi, due to how they think the sword was originally used and worn maybe. Looking at the sugata, it reminded me of Early Muromachi, difficult from images but appears to be Saki-zori. Occasionally I see more confusing examples. More confusing not because of the mei (usually mumei), but more confusing because of the sugata and attributed date. I suppose the transition from Tachi to Katana was a slow one, and much confusion can lie in between with one thing and another. I think a lot of this confusion lies with the intended use of the sword, some swords just appear to be for cavalry use...........then I link them to Tachi and wonder why they are being described as Katana. Thanks for the links and info Jussi, very interesting, get well soon.

Hi Jean, When I say "so much effort", I could have worded that better. What I should have said is, if someone wanted to create a reproduction or fake (to fool others) of a Ko-Tosho, I think maybe there would be better choices for the sukashi design. Just thoughts. Some helpful hints in this thread, cheers

I'm looking for thoughts regarding this sword, I'm not buying, I just find it interesting. Described as a Tachi, but with Katana mei. Long at nearly 29", quite deep sori at 2.3cm and to look at, it reminds me of a Tachi. Aoi say this sword was made Eiroku era (1558-1570), I always refer back to this for a basic idea of sword shape changes over time. http://www.yamakawadojo.com/the%20japanese%20sword%20historical%20changes%20in%20shape.pdf But find it interesting when I come across something that stands out as being a bit unusual for the time. https://www.aoijapan.com/tachi-muneyoshi I often forget that Samurai still had a need for swords suitable for fighting from horseback. Just thinking out loud Any thoughts welcome.

One thing that crossed my mind there Henry, again just a thought. If someone went to the trouble of creating a modern tsuba to pass as a Ko Tosho, and took so much effort into making the patina look old, size and thickness, patina and remnant lacquer. Just wondering why they would not choose a textbook simple sukashi?, like you would see in Sasano,s, and in the case of the dragonfly tsuba, make the sukashi lines look older. Maybe I look too much into this.