takamatsu

Hi guys, I just saw this this one and wondered, how you can cut off a sword this way? Or is it just broken? Have no ideas what power is needed to destroy a sword (even if it's a gunto). http://www.ebay.de/itm/130989422836?ssP ... 1423.l2648

well spoken

Thank you very much for all of your inputs! Some differences out there, but that's the good one with such a member board! :D I know that it is a low end tanto, but as said... most people started their collection this way. I am aware that there are dozens of better blades out there, but I like this piece. Think I will keep it in it's current condition. The menuki also took my attention, but I can't make them more visible without damaging the wrap. Again, thank's for your help and better blades will follow...

some more pics

Hi to all! I'm in a bit of a predicament with this tanto. Having it's original mountings, I am considering whether to restore the grip or not. Blade (cutting edge 26,5cm) is out of polish but with a pretty nice hamon. On one hand I don't want to change something of the original material because it belongs to the object. On the other hand it's a shame to the blade having such dirty and worn bindings on the tsuka, so... I really don't know. What do you think? If it's your tanto, how would you decide? Any opinions on the age and maker by the way? Attributed to late edo by the seller. Thank you all for your help!

Thank you Chris and Piers, Suketoshi is the right one :D Markus Sesko was so kind and sent me an abstract of his swordsmith index, so the full signature is "Heianjo-ju Ishido Suketoshi". In his opinion second or third generation (kanbun to genroku), which were well known for their yaris. Any ideas about the hamon?

Gentlemen, Today my first yari arrived. The blade measures 13cm with a wide of 22mm and the tang is 24cm long. Perhaps you can help me with a few questions: What do you think about the size? Normal yari or uchine? The hamon runs off the edge towards the bottom on both sides, is this a special style called Yakiotoshi or was the blade maybe retempered? Maybe water under the clay? Can you please help me with the mei? I can read the first three characters 平安城 as Heianjo followed by 住 ju. But the rest... Maybe Sukeyuki or Sumeseki...? Thank you very much for any input!

pm me please as this listing is running

Hi guys! For lack of holding real blades in my hands, I'm trying to learn the differences of genuine and gimei signatures with pictures. What do you think about this one, is the signature gimei? Pictures are poor, but maybe one of you is able to help. http://www.ebay.de/itm/231005627509?ssP ... 1423.l2648 Thanks again!

Yes, nothing for me :D Thank you all!!

Alex, Brian... thats the problem! I hate Second Chance Offers, they always make me sceptical. Especially because I'm not the second highest bidder. Positive aspect is the lenght of the blade, just perfect for my body height :D What do you think about the tsuba? Looks somehow modern? Josh: thats a big warning signal, thank you very much! I also considered shill bidding when I got the offer. I think I will leave ebay behind and ask for a good value katana here in the wanted-section :D

Again, an absolutely masterpiece! For me it's the perfect combination of classic art and modern interpretation! Simply loving it

Hello Guys! Today I got a Second Chance Offer by Ebay for the following katana: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Long-antique-ja ... true&rt=nc I just made a savety-bid to watch the bidding-process, now I'm given the chance to buy it for $ 1,515. Have to decide until friday. My questions: Do you have any experience with the seller matsuri_dontaku? What do you think about the sword? "Late early Edo from late Momoyama period ca.1590 era made Hizen Tadayoshi school blade" - could this be true? Or is it a later blade? Hard to tell for me without signature. Thank you very much for your help, I'm still learning...

Very much thanks to all of you! I'm fascinated by the friendly and competent help in this board, just gorgeous! Learned a lot in this thread

Thanks mariuszk! This was the last fragment for cancelling :D

Thanks again for all your help! I didn't know that Tadahiro is such a famous smith. If I had, I would not imagine that I can get a blade of him for that price. As I explained, I was on the search for a genuine old blade for iaijutsu. As I now know it's not original, I think I will cancel the deal...

Thanks for your quick reply! For an easier look on the blade, I can add the link of the auction, there are some more pics: http://www.ebay.de/itm/230991123764?ssP ... 1497.l2648 I just wanted the blade to use for jaijutsu, but if it is a fake... :|

Hello to everybody! After having been helped so good from you guys with my first tsuba, I now want to introduce to you my first katana. The blade (overall 85,9 centimeter) is signed Hizen Koku Ju Omidaijo Otsuka Fujiwara Tadahiro (I think so ). With my limited knowledge, I suppose that the smith's name is Tadahiro from the Fujiwara clan from Hizen district. Is this right? Is Omidaijo a title? Can anybody tell me something about the age of the blade? In addition, I added the picture of the tsuba, which was with the sword. Also signed, but absolutely no idea. Again, thank you very much for your priceless help!!! Ps.: better pics will follow after receiving the sword from Japan

Dear Ford, I just watched the video and have to say: I'm deeply impressed! It is a truly masterwork and changed my view on tsubas enormous. From now on, I will spend more time on searching for high quality tsubas for my collection. Thanks a lot for 'making me see the difference'!

Thanks to all for your friendly help! In addition to the perfect mint-state blades, tsubas and other stuff, I like items which are obviously used by their original owners. Kind of history in your hands. @mumei: Yes, I'm just at the beginning. Actually waiting for the arrival of my first blade (a koto wakizashi) and a yari. Nice to know, that I'm not the only newbie here

Hi Davids! :D Thanks a lot for your help! Didn't expected, that my tsuba is that old. Would be great, if you can find more infos in Haynes's Index. Do you know in which geographical region of Japan he worked? And yes, I also hope that this was just the first of many more...

Hello everybody! Today my first tsuba from bushiart arrived. It's a simple maru gata iron tsuba with a nice openwork motif. Signed with Tadatsugu (?). Size: 7 x 0,5 cm As a newbie, can anybody tell me more about the maker (was he a sword smith or an armour maker?) and age of the tsuba? Any informations are welcome! Thank you very very much for your help!

Hello all! Does anybody has some experience with the ebay-seller awesome-Japan?

Hi everybody! My name is Michael and, of course, I'm fascinated by nihonto! I like the Japanese culture and history and especially all sorts of samurai edged weapons. While training ninjutsu I'm practising with the katana, naginata, yari etc. and decided to get a "real" blade. Started with two WWII guntos I am now on the search for my first signed shinto. I have a lot of work in front of me, learning more about all aspects of collecting nihonto, but I think, I'm right here!