AndreasU

I also disagree with Reinhard's opinion. From the other side, if he says this is a fatal flaws then he sure means "from the collectors point of view" As most of us have not a single idea how one of these weapons are handled correctly (maybe some of the ones who are practicing Tameshigiri) our opinions ar totally unimportant. "from the view of a real samurai" As these Weapons will never be used for fighting again also no one can ever proof how strong, even with these pits, this blade remains. I have a lot experience with metals and I am very very sure that even this blade will cut very very well trough flesh and bone, and that's what these blades are made for. Surely these parts especially the one part with the horizontal line, will maybe break out of the blade if it will strik the mune of another sword but from the fighting technique this is more than unlikely that this part will ever be used as the lenght of the sword will mainly be used to "stay away" from an enemy. So the first third of the sword is the area that will get the most "stress" But from the collecting point of view, I also would never buy a blade like this! Even that I know the above said things, I would know every time that they exist and it will simply disturb my eye.

Then I have to apologize and say sorry!

Funny that Bob could "repair" the broken Kissaki with just a touchup polish... And he could exactly reshape it the way I did ..... Not to blame Bob! I think he really did a touchup, the rest is left under circuumstances....

Dear reinhard, honestly speaking I think it is the board owners job to tell the thread starters where they have to post. If you don't like it, don't read it ! This board is for discussions ! Andreas

Yes, it is the character. What is special with this?? This is the sellers explanation: The Mokko-gata iron Tsuba is decorated with Sukidashi-bori carving, four corner heart shaped openwork ( Inome-Sukashi ), on Ishime-ji, design of Dokko ( Vajira ) and Hudo-Myo-Ou ( write by the Sanskrit ), defeating against evils. @nagamaki *deleted by admin* I know very well what a handachi koshirae is (pimp my sword :D ) . The question is: what makes a tsuba part of a handachi koshirae that you can state it is clearly with this tsuba? Your text reference is not explaining this.

Hi Franco, that's interesting. Can you define the basic rules which makes a tsuba a handachi tsuba? I would like to understand these basic things......

Thanks Doug, this was the answer I expected I printed the Tsuba on paper and cutted it to see if it is soooooo awful to big. No, it isn't! As I said the blade is quite massive and it fits really nice. The measurement from hamachi to munemachi is 3,2 cm! I agree as a Daisho it makes no sense but it was forged around 1750 so it is more likely that this sword was forged for a rich trader than for a samurai. So as it was than the only sword he was allowed to wear it is possible that it was mounted with care to give the best protection.

Hmm, suitable or not, we are talking about dimensions? Some pictures of tsubas I was interested in that were described to be for wakizashi: The first one was my absolute favorite!! But unfortunately I got outbid...

Yes I mean hitsu ana but was guided with mimi as it means "ears" and the cutouts for the kozuka looks like ears :D Forgive me master :lol:

as there are no mimis on this tsuba, would that prevent it for a use on a wakizashi? or is there again no rule? I have read somewhere that on a wakizashi everytime these mimis where placed for the kozuka? Question is, was there everytime a Kozuka with a wakizashi........

Hey, thanks a lot for your translation! So it seems it is a quite good tsuba.

Uurgs, No way to have a handachi mounting ever! Today we would say "pimp my sword" of course it's a question of taste but I like more to have an uchigatana/buke zukuri style mounting. Andreas

Hmm, interesting argument, So do you think it will not look realistic with a wakizashi even it is a masive one? I thought there are no general rules? The Habaki height of my wakizashi in this area where the tsuba will be attached is 3.3cm or 1.3" the handle is 2,6cm or 1.02". So it should fit quite well. The surface looks indeed like leather. Thats what triggered me for this Tsuba! Interestingly also because the motif is "wild pig eyes" and surface in leather, quite funny combination. Could not figure out if it is a forged one or a cast tsuba....... Some details of the tsuba makes me feel it is a cast one because they are a bit washed out, but on the other hand if it would be a cast one i doubt they had that fine sand to reproduce the fine leather detail...

:D Hi Martin, you got me :D What I want to figure out is if it was a realistic deal as I have no, nada, zero knowledge of Tsubas. I just tried to go the save way and take the first one with papers to avoid to get a replica or pure overpriced crap. In "real" money it is "just" € 565,-- so not a bargain but when I check other sites with NBTHK Tsuba offers it seems a very reasonable price. So even it is stated as a Daito Tsuba, I will use it for my wakizashi as it is a very huge blade and I think it will match perfect. Also it si a very clasic Theme that can be combined with several other Themes. Now some Fuchi Kashira are missing. Would like to get some with Dragon theme.... Happy X-Mas to everybody

Hello board, first of all seasons greetings. It is really cold at the moment here in germany and we hope to have some snow on christmas day I just bought this Tsuba at ebay tonight and would like to have some oppinions. Especially I would like to know what he nbthk paper is saying. And last of all, what is the value of it. thanks in advance Andreas

Thanks, I have seen this. The problem is that Ebay does not allow to get in contact with members if they are not offering something...... I tried it already but got a message that was saying this.....

Hello board, do somebody of you know the ebay individual "kgiersz". He is buying a lot from "Daimyou54eb" and "possservice" mainly kodugo and tsuba. I really need to get in contact with him. Andreas

First to the sword: I would not buy it. "Belly feeling" Kissaki seems reshaped and not symmetrical anymore. Yokote is set on the worng point and differs from the left to the right side. on the pictures it looks like that tha Ha in the hamachie area is "facing inward" (don't know a better word for it in english, concav?) if not the sowrd will have a "funny" funbari..... Noticed that there is no total picture of the sword? Now the last statement to paul's reply: "4. ~~~~~ To write off names and go with gut feel is rather arrogant and an excuse for not taking the time or making the effort to study. As an individual one is perfectly entitled to do this. To recommend it as an approach is I think rather misguided." I agree only if I would be interested to collect with the target to collect "important" names....... I prefer to collect good preserved swords. That can mean that sooner or later I have to go the way you describe but I don't see that necessarily! Proof me wrong but there are excellent "Mumei" swords out there? I bought "The connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords" last week at Amazon for a bargain of US$ 44,95, and will study now some more detailed. Maybe I get enlightened and will follow your approach later

You got me !! :? :D But on the other hand, are all prices that are asked for swords realistic? Isn't it that value is sometimes more " It is Japanese, it is old, it must be expensive"? And isn't it that a sword without signature is best "den" so attributed? This for me is clearly a 50% chance that it is not what you expect, even papered! I was on a trade show here in germany some weeks ago and I can tell you that the guys tried to sell pure crap/nails for 2.000 to 4.000 € (*1.48 in Dollars!) I mean I am not that expert to see the "beauty" behind a rusty scratched without yokote wakizashi in a poor koshirae to say yes man, thats a bargain I give you 3.500,-- The only thing I know for myself is that I bought two sword already from AOI, one gendaito and one wakizashi with NBTHK Hozon. The last was "just" $ 2.300,-- and it is lightyears in better condition as whatever I have seen on this tradeshow. So I am a bit dissapointed as I should have affered it for $ 6.000,-- to some of these guys, I mean if they try to sell nails for 3.500,-- it is fair to offer them a signed, NBTHK paperd Wak in full polish for 6.000,--. Isn't it And regarding smidthnames. I don't give to much importance to them. I believe that there are some really stunning masterpieces out there, but I can't judge if these smidthes were really "popstars" of their art in their era! I am believer of the situation that most of these names where "hyped" in later era's after Japan opended their borders and the first collectors began to generate a market for it. Marked pays what marked asks for.... I will follow my belly. That is my personal strategy and maybe destiny will prove me wrong in the future but on top I will judge each sword by it's own merits...........

Mariusz, honestly speaking this is the second time you are saying that something is faked (the other threadf was with tsubas). I mean I am an absolute beginner but I would never say that until I am not 100% sure. This sword can't be gimei as it has no signature! So this sword is "mumei" and it is "suriage" maybe "o-suriage" as the bohi runs out of the nakago. Maybe my kantei is wrong but I am sure better than yours..... :D

I stumbled across AOI again and have seen this one: http://www.aoi-art.com/fittings/7500-7549/07504.html What are your opinions about this. I asked AOI. The nakago hole would fit to my wakizashi perfectly (2,76cm x 0,8mm)! Andreas

Go to your friend, take his head, bang it on the wall and after that dip him in icecold water on a cold winter morning! This blade is more than 600 years old! After several training sessions the polishing will be gone and then? Will he leave a true art object than without polish or will he consider to get it polished again? It is doubtless that the first option will destroy the sword in mid to long term and the second option will destroy it immediately! So if he would like to spend some 1K of dollars he can buy easily a Gendaito blade without stamp (so true nihonto and no customs issue) and even that this is a loss soner or later, it is less important for the swordhistory than losing a sword that is 600 years old. It's his money so he is responsible for himself but it's a shame in my eyes. If he is looking for a nice sword in full polish, razor sharp, signed, made of Tamahagane and a true nihonto I can offer him my sword for less bucks! Also from AOI Art bought in August this year but I am not in love with gendaitos and it was my first study project. I stay with my personal preference that I would like to have "real nihontos" made for a samurai and not for a military purpose.

After bashing him, he sended me some pics of the tang:

Hi Milt, as I am a novice and have no nada zero knowledge of Tsubas (even more less than of swords) can you do a recommendation for me to use for my Waki? You can PM me, not to give to many hints....... :D

Ähhhh, Bingo Bongo Bungo ?? :lol: