Uechi

Thanks Mike, I'm glad I asked the question.

Grey I don't know. It does appear that way but someone would have to compare them artists for artist. Obviously, Bob's Index covers more artists then Wakayama. His is a listing of know artists without pictures while Wakayama's most useful for identifying correct Mei's versus Gimei.

I did find that you can cross reference artists in Robert Haynes 3 vol index to Wakayama index. The listing in his Index will be a W ( for Wakayama )-I, II or III ( for volume number) and - 1 etc. ( for page number ). A big help, translate the Mei then go to Haynes then go to the page in Wakayma if appropriate/listed to verify Mei. JDromm

Is there an English Index available for Wakayama's three voliume work? JDromm

Thanks Paul good information and gives me a place to start. Apparently this sword couldn't be too bad it got Tokubetsu Hozon and from what I understand quite easily. Once I have the sword in hand I will post pictures.Thanks again.

Haven't gotten formal notification from Bob Benson who did the polish but the Naginatanaoshi he sent to Shinsa in Japan has made Tokubetsu Hozon and is attributed to the Ko Kangbeiyo School.I'm told that is the Kamakura time frame.I have lots of books but don't know anything about this school or an actual time frame.Any information would be greatly appreciated.Thanks JDromm

Thank you, Stephen. Nice to see someone doesn't think we are all thieves in this undeveloped country of ours. Though I have my doubts about the two chaps in the ebay ads... I've asked them if I can view the tsuba in person before making an offer. Holding my breath from now... Nobody said that you are all theives. What is fact is when they talk about phony garbage swords they are most common from China. I would have no problem buying from any country if I new the seller/s were legit. Hard to do if you haven'tdone business before. I very rarely buy anything from anywhere if its on E-Bay without a 100% rating and hundreds or more sales. My choice. You can chose to buy or sell to anyone you like. I prefer to be much more careful with my money.

Rust/the oxidation of iron is dependent on the composition of the sword, temperature and the humidity level. Room temperature and low humidty means slower rusting then keeping your sword in a Brazilian rain forest namely high temp with high humidity. High temps alone (100 F or so)will not rust metal if the humidity level is low. Hence old US airplanes sitting in the desert for decades without much rusting. Remember also that the composition of the air can make a difference. If you live by the ocean or in downtown Peking China( high pollution) you'd have more problems then in rural or suburban America. In any event, Nihonto will rust no matter what you do. All you can do is control the amount and the time required for such rusting

Available on Brighthouse if you want to pay $24.95 additional a month. I'll pass.

Playing with fire buying any supposed Japanese artifact from Hong Kong or anywhere else in China. Not for me JDromm

All it takes is deep pockets, unfortunately out of reach for mere mortals.

Jeffrey, learning can be inexpensive or even free (by reading what is on this forum), when the time comes were you can afford something nice you will not make the same mistakes many others have made. Eric this isn't my first rodeo. Although I am far from being a so called expert or even very knowledgeable. I know enough and have enough support from books and experts to make good choices. Well at least most of the time. Though anybody can be involved in the study and purchase of Nihonto and its accessories the high end high quality items are reserved for people with deep pockets.It's pretty hard ( though not impossible ) for example to find Juyo swords that are worth 30-60K+ for &K or less. I'm not complaining nor begruding anyone. I'm just making the observation that is not a cheap hobby to pursue especially with limited resources..

Some excellent examples of Nihonto, Tsuba, Armor and other Japanese artifacts. Too bad I personally will never have the money to own such outstanding workmanship just out of my limited finances. Ah well at least I get to drool.

Couldn't disagree more. I don't buy products of any sort from liars. I'm sure there are many collectors and sellers in the world that try to be fair and honest in their descriptions and pricing and they don't lie, because their reputation in the community is important. I''ll stick with known good guys not people that have to lie to sell a product.

Let's all remember that the study of Nihonto is not an exact science. Collectors as well as real experts ( Shinsa teams ) very often disagree on schools, smiths and quality. It also varies depending on the judging organization. Fairly easy to tell garbage from good and excellent from good not so easy to say this sword is worth this dollar amount and this sword is worth a different amount when they are both great works.

Good job on buying crap.It's your money and you can throw it away it is a free country. I suggest you either learn something about Nihonto or buy from an honest dealer. That is of course if you don't have a wish to waste your money.

It might not be a concern for years but sooner or later protective coating or otherwise you will get corrosion.When that happens look out.

Great price for an extremely nice Gendaito. Wish I could find such a great deal.Enjoy your purchase

Putting on wax microcrystalline or otherwise is not smart. If you ever want to polish that blade you will have to use sufficient solvent to remove all the wax. If this isn't done you could most certainly screw up a polishers expensive stones.

Nice looking blade will you tell us about what you paid? I'm curious. Thanks

Gendaito are not my thing

Can't speak for camera models except to state the higher the digital resolution the better. As for tsuba, fuchi etc consider a color computer flatbed printer/scanner. You will get quite good results using the scanner and will actually get good results with nihonto but with only portions of the blade at a time. JDromm

Good for you. Glad you had a good experiennce. Read the posts. Bought two swords from him ok. Send him/her questions on a third sword and got blocked from bidding. If you see the posts you will see the same has happened before. It is a free country if you are comfortable buying from this seller go for it. Like I said, never, never again.

remove the " f " and you are spot on. JDromm

Checkout all the posts on this weenie. He or she couldn't sell me a glass of water if I was in the middle of a desert and dying of thirst. Did business with this person never, never again. Caveat Emptor!