Alex A

Thanks for pointing that out, it explains a recent cock up whilst returning a sword to Japan.

Hi James, will never know for sure but can speculate, perhaps sword owner ?, will never know. Its a good sword by a Ryo Wazamono smith.

This sword has testers name, as mentioned above, he worked around Genroku I get what what your saying about inscriptions from nobodies.

This the sword https://www.aoijapan.com/katana-yamato-daijyo-fujiwara-masanori-cutting-test Page 275 of Tameshigiri, by Markus. Sword tester by the name of Hattori Kan, emon. Its my understanding that NBTHK wont give a sword Hozen if they think a cutting test is fake, but what do I know. I looked at this sword a while ago, got the impression the gold was gone and someone had splashed in some gold colour, but that's something you would need to confirm with the Aoi. Not the end of the world in my humble opinion, if you want a Katana with a cutting test with all the bells and whistles, they don't come cheap. Main thing is the sword though, obviously.

I think this is the reason I jumped to the conclusion, I was looking into late shinshinto Gassan the other day and noticed your name in one of the threads, so ASSUMED you was buying along those later lines. ASSUMPTION being the mother of all. Nice blade.

Have you got any more pictures Robert?, full blade, nakago?

I kinda jumped in there with both feet with the Gassan, when I saw the Hada that was my first thought, although first thoughts are often wrong. Looks good, I bet you cant wait to see it in hand.

Very nice, which Gassan ?

I hope Mr Jones found what he was looking for, RIP,

Its a risk, especially whats under that rope handle? For all we know, someone may have welded a diamond shape steel tang on it, big risk.

I like this one better.

No , I was intending to show you that you can get sword hilts/guards or whatever already made, and I'm ASSUMING if you look hard enough you will find them in STEEL or whatever, I didn't look hard enough. The saya could be late Edo, and again when I look at it, it could be 1985, like the one I have upstairs on my Ninja sword. I personally could not spend that much money on the sword, perhaps a polisher bought it, sees some profit. I watched a (potential) Sukesada Katana ending this morning, was half tempted, but as always with Ebay I didn't bother in the end, I find it too risky. I have trouble buying swords with clear pictures and a shinsa result

If not home made Luis, possibly bought somewhere, something along these lines maybe. http://usaknifemaker.com/knife-handle-parts/handle-hardware/pommels-and-guards-c-95-178/guard-small-14-th-x-62-w-x-3-l-slot-measurements-16-w-x-1-10-l.html Ps, looking closer at the saya, don't look so old, or worn.

I think blade is "possibly" genuine Saya genuine Habaki genuine, not sure about shakudo, I think possibly sprayed/lacquered black Everything else home made, including tsuba. I get the impression is was brought back by a vet and messed about by kids or whatever, parts lost, then ended up Mad Max style. Speculation.

Yes, but I wouldn't go crazy about overdoing it, I would speak to someone about getting the Kurikata replaced and possibly trying to sort out the missing lacquer, depends whether it can be done without having to do it all, you would need to speak to an expert. Best to preserve. Might consider shirasaya to store the blade, depending on the blade and state of polish. I like it. You would need to speak to someone like Mike Hickman-Smith or Robert Soanes, I remember he does repairs http://katchushi.com/restoration-2/index.html Someone will know an expert nearer to you.

Found a video on the Akamatsu Taro smiths

I tried this with my Son, thinking he would think its cool, then he told me it was junk Some great advice above, enjoy the hobby and take your time learning, learn as you go along (before you buy), rinse wash repeat

I don't know Ian, perhaps they should have just stuck to "antique spy tool" , although possibly also used by the average "peeping Tom" Looking at it again, I cant help wondering if it also could be just an hidden weapon.

https://www.aoijapan.com/ninja-goods-in-cigar-case A first for me.

I will pm you some over later today

Mike has done work for me in the past, friendly, reliable and does a great job.

Reminds me of some I once owned Ed.

Im so sure id bet a fiver.

Will do Malcolm, il get there in the end, thanks.

Be good to know what that 2nd sword was ?, Bizen Sukesada ? anyone know Mike for an answer?