Heringsdorf

Komonjo from eBay, Careful! He doesn't own any of the blades he sells. He is associated with some unknown "sword dealers" over there, who usually sell very questionable blades. Like stated already, I think it's a big mistake to buy anything nihonto related over eBay, unless you are very knowledgeable and find the few authentic things, worth buying. As a beginner one should only purchase from trusted dealers, or members on this forum who are recommended. In regard of the old NBTHK papers, if the NBTHK will not even recognize them I wouldn't either. It's like not having any certificate.

Hi Peter, The Menuki looks like gold to me. You can see the kin-sabi (gold rust) on it which indicates these to be made of gold

This is the kozuka I got from them.

Yes they have really nice stuff. All very good quality. I'm very happy with the kozuka and Menuki I got from them.

Hello Pete, I got them from Wakeidou.

Thank you Curran for the information. I spoke to Markus Sesko, and he thinks it's either 6th or 7th generation Yoshioka. I agree with you that the dealer I bought this set from is honest and nice to deal with. I purchased a Kozuka from them before and everything was great.

Pm sent

Right, they are 80-95% Gold, alloyed with silver. Is that correct Ford?

Thank you all so far for the very nice Menuki examples. I agree, that monkey set is exceptional. I picked up my first gold Menuki set recently. They are signed yoshioka inaba no suke. I don't know which generation though? Maybe 6th or 7th?

Hello, I was wondering how common solid gold Menuki were? What kind of swords / owner's used them back then? I also would really appreciate if members here who maybe own examples would post them here. Were there certain schools / artists who specialized on gold menuki? Thank you all.

Peterd, Once the original patina is restored it will last close to 100 years. Since there is less Sulphur in the air today then back then, it will last quite long until the Shibuichi will darken again.

Steve, This set actually came with two papers when it arrived. NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho from 1959 (This was the second highest certificate at that time after Juyo which was introduced in 1958) and NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon from 2007. Concerning the patina of this fitting, I'm of the opinion that you can't compare re-lacquering a saya with reviving a patina on a fitting. When you re-lacquer a saya you are in fact adding new material to the object, possibly covering important features. This isn't the case in repatination, as you are not adding new foreign material, but actually are bringing out what the piece was supposed to be like. Before the Nashiji surface feature was not visible, now you can really apriciate this, like a blade's Ji-hada before and after polish. Just my opinion on this. I think that any restoration work, when done right and professionally, like Ford does it, improves the Beauty, value and desirability of such items.

You can tell that this is how Shibuichi is supposed to look. So much more character after the restoration. I think, once the silver darkens a little more over the next year, it will look even more stunning.

Hello all, I picked up this kogatana in polish with habaki and shirasaya. The signature says "Yamashiro no kami fujiwara Toshinaga" Not sure if this is authentic or gimei? Would it be possible to submit this to NTHK or nbthk shinsa? Thanks.

Does anybody know which company in Japan makes this high end ebony sword stand?

I tried to find this smith contact information but was unable to do so. How can I ask him about this Kogatana?

Some people always question the signature. If the piece has a certificate most are more trusting, and it usually increases the value.

Hello, Is it possible to submit a newly made Kogatana for NBTHK Hozon?

Hi David, I saw those wrong auctions too. I even send the guy a message pointing out to him that those weren't NBTHK certificates. He claimed that he didn't know that! Concerning the menuki, I understand that you don't like them. Everybody has a different taste in things, I actually find them different and unique. That's why I bought them. I had Markus Sesko look at them and he found them to be of good quality and probably made by one of the later Yasuchika generations.

Some better pictures.

Could this not be a later generation Yasuchika? As far as I can tell the mei and kao look genuine as per Toso Kodogu Meiji taikan They currently are in NBTHK shinsa in Japan. Any additional info would be greatly appreciated.

Hello Joe, I got this Kogatana from e-sword CO., LTD Masayuki Hirako I'm not familiar with this dealer, is he trustworthy? So I could just contact Paul Martin and ask him about this kogatana? Thank you.

Hello, I just picked up this Kogatana from a dealer in Japan. I don't have any reference material on Yoshihara's mei. Is this his signature? The date on the Kogatana is 1974 I believe, but I can't read the rest. Any help on translation and on authenticity of this signature would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for the reply.

Hello, I was looking at this modern made Kogatana signed Adachi ju Yukimitsu. Is this his signature? Could this be a Chinese copy? Thank you for your opinion.