Alex A

Hi Chris, funny one for me carving on tsuba. Sometimes, I look at a piece that no doubt needed a lot of skill to create, but still is empty of life. If you look at some Goto tsuba, think you might get what im trying to say.

Lots of useful hints on the internet Stefan, just one http://to-ken.uk/resources/kantei.html

Nice Stefan, all looks to be in good condition.

Reminded of shinshinto Bizen Yokoyama, with the suguha start to the hamon A few examples of what i refer to https://www.aoijapan.net/tanto-bishu-osafune-jyu-yokoyama-sukekanemeiji-2nenn-february/ https://www.aoijapan.net/tanto-bizen-osafune-ju-suketada/ Nakago don't look too old either, perhaps a start for school, you will need to look further into it. I wouldn't mind one given to me

Yes, Budget, that's why I guess a lot of us have to go for wakizashi in the quality department. Some good TH about at the moment and at fair prices.

what Ken said.

Not wanting to sound pedantic, but think its for a tachi. Interesting piece, they didnt hold back with the mother of pearl. Not sure when it was made, that usually ends up with default meiji or later. (just a guess) Also, and may well be wrong. Something about it reminds me of a kake I used to own, but that was made in China.

Hi Gary, have the Tadakuni been to shinsa ?

That is interesting as ive been looking into Koto Kanefusa recently, didn't know the lineage continued on so far. https://japaneseswordindex.com/kanefusa.htm

Is it my eyes or is it kind of convex?, like this one http://www.japaneseswordbooks.com/Tsuba.html

https://www.nihonto.com/about-swords/major-koto-schools/ https://www.nihonto.com/a-brief-study-of-bizen-blades-of-the-muromachi-era/ http://www.sho-shin.com/sue5.htm

For a minute there Jacques, i thought you were questioning the knowledge of the NBTHK

Its at the better end of the mass produced swords, nice that its signed and dated and has Hozen. It all depends what you want. Its a decent first Katana, for similar money you could get a wak with far better workmanship.

How much you spend depends on whether you intend to keep the sword or not, but would always use antique decent menuki.

I suppose this topic could become bit of an issue should you not do your homework and go out and have a dragon tattoo.................like i did as a youngster. A few years ago I asked a tattoo guy what he could do about the dragon with 5 claws, he said "I could put a black square over each one" then he started laughing, along with me and a few others that worked in the shop.

Read this thread a few times and cant help a wondering that if someone wanted to fool folk with a gimei mei, then why put so much effort into making the mei look decent, but then make the mistake of inscribing it on what is most of the time, the wrong side ?

Looks great Ray.

Sold, thank you.

Just to round this up, i recieved a cheque last week and now all done Started May, finished October, didn't once get to speak to anyone at customs refund debt and had no correspondence back. Live and learn.

Don't look like it fits into the bracket term "kanbun" to me either, but might have been made at Kanbun, as not all blades made then had little sori.

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.