general_piffle

Apologies for yet more newbie questions but the knowledge here is too good to ignore! So I wondered if a shortened nakago would devalue a sword or make it less attractive? Specifically a katana. Part of the mei is still there but just the place and province not the sword maker's signature. I understand that the practice was fairly common to enhance a sword's characteristics at the request of a new owner but was curious to find out what view is today as in what collectors think of such pieces? Thanks. Joel

Thanks for the advice gents. Asking questions here, as well as reading online, and going to see pieces such as they have at the V&A (which I've done several times but am due another visit - thanks for reminding me Geraint!) is all part of the learning for me. Eager but not devoid of reason

Now I've returned what was my first and only Katana to the seller I'm keen to find a replacement. Considering the sword in this link was made exactly 100 years before I was born I'm tempted to go for it. But wondered what some of you experts thought? Especially of the surface anomaly about halfway along the blade as shown in the pictures: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281809220149?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Also I've already taken the advice of this forum and have invested in a copy of The Samurai Sword: A Handbook by John Yumoto. Thanks.

Hi Chris, that's correct. In his defence he's sent the refund before the sword has reached him. So all sorted, thanks.

Thank you for this insight Brian, could you or anyone else make a recommendation as to who could create Koshirae for me? Thanks.

Ray skin yes? From his site he uses genuine whole ray skin not strips or imitation.

Sorry Stephen, too cryptic or I'm too tired but you've lost me?

Ah, thanks Stephen / Jason, wasn't thinking about getting him to polish. Just to create a good quality Tsuka and Saya that I provide the Tsuba, Menuki and Fuchi Kashira for (only because I'd rather mix and match my own from genuine antiques to give my sword my touch if you see what I mean). Thanks.

Dragging this one up as I don't want to start a new thread when I have the same question! I've been thinking about using Mr Lohman to help me with a new saya and fittings, handle, wrapping etc. I'd be supplying early Edo pieces in keeping with the age of the blade so Tsuba, Menuki, etc. Does anyone have any experience of this provider that they can share? Hopefully positive? Thanks. Joel

By how were these elements of a sword's 'furnishings' chosen I'm talking about their design. Say you have a Tsuba with bamboo as the main part of its design do the Menuki and Fuchi Kashira then also follow suit and have bamboo somewhere in their design. Or were choices more random? So you could have (for example) a spider in a web as Menuki, dragons on the Fuchi Kashira and maple leaves on the Tsuba? I'm curious to know the thinking that went into marrying these elements to a sword and what if any continuity there was between them. Thank you. Joel

More good advice. Thanks gents. Joel

Thanks very much for the info! I have the option to return this to the seller so think I might take that route on this occasion and keep looking.

Thank you for the replies gentlemen. Could you shed some light on Shinshinto Loyalist blade? I've just tried Googling but drawn a bit of a blank. Thanks.

Thanks for the welcome John. I've added my name into the signature, wasn't aware of that. If the tang is that rusty does this mean the sword is probably older than circa 1650? Assuming it is authentic of course. I've just taken some more pictures to help give you a better view. I do hope it is genuine! See what you think. Thanks - Joel Would appreciate your views. Thanks.

Hi, this is my first post and also my first Katana. I've added some pictures of the tang, which is pretty rusty but to my untrained eye the rust looks stable, old, and not progressive or active. Although it's made the signature very hard to read fortunately the seller gave me some info about the sword: The blade is signed "Hizen koku ju Tadakuni 肥前国住忠国", shinogi zukuri shape, Edo period ca.1650 era made blade. The signature is barely visible due to rust. The blade is in old polish, no rust, no stain and in excellent condition. There are no nicks and the cutting edge is sharp. The temper-line is suguba with konie active temper pattern and has deep temper at the point. The forging grain is tight itame-hada, no opening, no blister and no forging flaws at all. It is rested in ho-wood shirasaya mountings, no crack and in good condition. It measures 64.5mm cutting edge, 30mm width, 6mm thickness at the notch, 48mm from centre of mekugi to bottom of shirasaya grip and top of habaki, 7mm curvature and 91mm in shirasaya. If anyone here can add any information or insights about this sword I'd be really intrigued to hear. Thank you.