James

Side 1: Fujiwara Nobunaga Side 2: Shichi Gatsu Hi Any more photos of the blade to share?

Has anybody dealt with Cool Nippon before? I sent him a offer a bit cheaper than the $399 it didn't sell for and he exploded at me telling me that he has added my name to his blocked bidders list because I sent annoying messages again and again. This is the first time I have ever contacted him... perhaps he's just having a bad day.

I've managed to change his auction so that it now has a big warning sign on it. That should suffice until eBay gets rid of him.

Wait, I have an idea. Check his auction again in 5 minutes.

Hello all I've just found this: http://cgi.ebay.com/SIGNED-ANTIQUE-JAPA ... dZViewItem Fraudster from China is copying my listing! He even copied the line that says "Special 3 day listing with no reserve" when his fraudulent auction is for 5 days

Even though I received a hostile and unfriendly PM from Jacques, I'd still like to thank him for the help he generously gave me. But as he has requested, I will never contact him again for any help. Yes, the Mutsu is for sale and is currently being advertised on my website and Darcy B's website also. Jacques has repeatedly told me how I am swindling people by asking that price for it, but as I have already explained to him, I told Darcy to advertise it for whatever price he thought was correct since he is much more aware of market values than I. As for the Yondai Kinmichi being for sale, I think you got a bit mixed up there Jacques. It's listed on my website under 'Restoration Project' and the only reason it is there was for the interest of people who visit my site. Nowhere do I say that it is for sale or will be for sale in the future. Again thanks to the board and specifically to Jacques for the help and time given to me. It really is appreciated.

Jacques, do you not feel it inappriopriate to start defaming me over the board by making it seem like I 'used you' for my own greedy purposes before you have even attempted to contact me privately about this matter to see if there is any confusion?

Well the agent contacted me today with photos of my newly polish wakizashi. I'm crushed at the fact that after all that was said to him, the sword received a cosmetic hamon. I cannot believe this, and I don't know what to do really. Any suggestions? Below is a photo of the eyesore I refer to as a hamon. Compare that with Jacques example and that'll leave no doubt in one's mind. Please, advise or suggestions are needed.

You're probably right Jacques. Too bad we can't find any oshigatas or photos to help us with this.

From the hamon on the sword, I believe it could be by the Tomomitsu from Kokoku c.1340 The JSS Knowledge Base says this Tomomitsu crafted swords with large notare and choji-midare hamons, and the sword in question has the former.

Thanks Piers, and I'll continue my search.

My apologies, it is signed "Bizen Kuni Osafune Ju Tomomitsu" - signed tachi-mei. Please see the attachment.

Toko Soran... I don't have a copy of that. Could you please scan me the pages mentioned and post them here or PM them to me? Thanks again

Thanks, I've done that already and looked in both Toko Taikan and Fujishiro's but no result. Also searched on the web but have found very little so far.

Hi all, Can anyone help me find some information about this smith, the one who signed: å‚™ å·ž é•· 船 ä½ å‹ å…‰ Please note the Tomo kanji is å‹ not 倫

Here's the link to the wakizashi with hagire I mentioned earlier: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0270847358

I'm just about to put on eBay a wakizashi with a stunning hamon and really nice mounts inc. kozuka, but has a hagire. Signed by Masakuni. Maybe something you'll be interested in bidding on...

They're real - no doubt about that. Just in case you haven't noticed they have a reserve price, probably of around $1500-2000USD each and will probably sell for $2-3K for the Monju Yamato and $3K+ for the Kanemoto.

I know I'm not going to lose any sleep over it...

That's right, but it sold at a profit so I'm not complaining :D Couldn't detect a temperline / hada, so figured it wasn't worth my time. I'd post a photo of the tang but it'll probably hurt your eyes.

I messaged the seller about the nakago and he replied: The peg that holds the handle on is glued so I can not remove it. Sorry I think that pretty much puts this one to rest.

I've looked him up in Fujishiro's and I think it is shoshin of the Echizen Kanetane in the Shinto era. This has made me think - would the NBTHK paper a blade that has a legitimate mei but has had the nakago's patina cleaned off?

Not sure about this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... AQ:US:1123 I wonder if Moriyama-san or Morita-san can help out here. Note the difference in patina of the nakago from the side with the kin mei and the other side with the kaji's mei... strange.

Looks more part gunome midare than choji to my eyes.

Some photos of the blade would be nice.