Reinier

I have the same question. I have a shirasaya that needs repair.

I sent a photo of the origami to a Japanese retailer and he gave me the information below but without an explanation how he got to this smith.

Thank you very much! How do I know which Yoshimitsu they mean from what period?

Hello, Can someone please translate this old NBTHK Kicho origami for me? I am also curious what is written in pencil on the envelop. Thank you very much! Reinier

This is how I judged this sword. To me it seems just at the edge but still alive.

Is there a PDF version of Nihonto Koza by Afu?

Thanks for the reply guys.

Can you tell me why it looks like a shinto blade? What do you see? I am asking because I want to learn

The kissaki on this wakizashi is quite tired. My guess is it had a broken tip at some point and a lot of metal had to be removed to correct it. How bad is it really? Is it just kind of acceptable as the boshi touches the edge or is it completely junk? Thank you, Reinier

Thanks. Yeah I know. I am interested in opinions.

The incorporated Habaki is quite unusual. I have never seen that before. A way to cut costs?

Sore more photos

Hi guys, Can you guys give me your opinion on this katana? Why do you think it is Mumei? Thanks!

A rare and unusual Tsuba with a Shoji screen design? 71 x 70 mm 89 gram Edo period 1603 - 1868 Nice patina Including luxurious Paulowna wooden box At first glance the tsuba looks simple but if you look at it carefully you will notice the craftsmanship that went into making it. The holes are sharply cut and the lines between them very thin which is difficult to make. The smith has gone to a lot of trouble to make the tsuba almost perfectly symmetrical. The holes vary in shape and size but are always identical on both sides. Even the kogai and kozuka holes are symmetrical and look more like two kozuka holes. The indentations around the nakago ana (tang hole) indicate this tsuba has been mounted and used on at least one sword but probably several swords. I have only found one similar tsuba online which is for sale for 400 USD. Photo included. A nice and unusual piece. 300 USD excluding shipping from The Netherlands

Hi guys, I have put my Nihonto Koza collection up for auction on the international auction website Catawiki. You can find it here: https://www.catawiki...o-nbthk-samurai-1996 Best regards, Reinier

Hi guys and girls, Around 18 years ago I bought the Nihonto Koza collection from Harry "Afu" Watson consisting out of: Koto part 1 Koto part 2 Koto part 3 Shinto Shinshinto I do not have the Kodogu book. I think I am ready to let them go and I was hoping you could tell me what a realistic asking price is for the collection. I understand they are quite rare and sought after. The books are in mint condition and signed by Harry (Afu) to me. Thank you! Reinier

ah i see. is there a way to reach him by internet? i want to ask him if he's available for some restoration work.

Hey, Does anyone know what happened to the Belgium sword/armour restorer Zenon van Damme? His website japanseart.be is dead and so is his e-mail. Regards, Reinier

yes i'm willing to put some time and effort into this it's one of the nicest carp tsuba's i've seen for sale.

hey guys, i just bought this nice tsuba which i really like: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=350004014392 unfortunately it has some bad red rust. what do you recommend doing about the rust?

thnx jacques dont worry i can take it

hey guys i bought a suriage katana in ww2 mounts and i would like to hear what you guys think. lots of pictures here: http://www.patsboem.com/katana_ww2/ best, reinier

wow nice wow expensive

has anyone come across carp/koi themed tosogu lately? i bought a pair of carp menuki from aoi art the other day.. they already removed them for their site unfortunately.

i recently bought this small shinshinto katana without official papers but with an aoi art appraisal document. it's small with a nagasa of only 60,5cm and is almost straight with a sori of only 0,5cm. i'm curious what you guys make of it. i will tell what aoi art thinks it is after some people have given their opinion.