Thekirsh

Very very true Chris, thanks and I should have said Midare not Ko-midare. Simon K

Gents, Looking for comments on this mei Ëtchu no kami Masatoshi" I doesn't match any oshigata I have come across but appears to be a decent blade although in poor condition. Nagasa 67.5cm, shallow sori and Ko-midare hamon. Thanks Simon K

Thanks Martin, I'm really looking for an oshigata of the fourth gen who signed with an eda kiku mon although I have been told he sometimes signed without. Simon K

I just wanted to ask if anyone has an oshigatä of the fourth generation Ëtchu no kami Masatoshi and could post it please. Thanks Simon K

Looks like its been in a fire to me. Can you see the hamon? Simon K

Thanks for all the replies guys, The photos were straight off the sale page hence the orientation and colour are not great. The tsuba is actually a nice chocolate colour but as you mentioned John it is a roughy I didn't even considered a Maedate but it certainly adds up, thanks KM Simon K

Hi Guys, Picked this up recently and was wondering if anyone had seen a similair addition. It all appears to be the same age :? Size 67mmx72mm thickness=3.5mm Usable nakago-ana = 20mmx8mm Any ideas on age, school and design (torii gate ?)would be appreciated, thanks Simon .K

I cant remember the correct term but what about the possibility of this being shortened from the tip and then retempered? Wakizashi lengh now would make sense. Simon K

Thanks Guys Keith - I was thinking exactly the same, obviously nothing abrasive but would thinners destroy patina? G'day Alan - your right of course but my next question would be does the work look any good? Its unsigned ? are copper tsuba hard to come across? Thanks Simon

Hi All, I would like to ask for advice on restoring this recent pick up. The front of the tsuba has remnants of what could be a clear varnish? and the reverse side has been given a light spray of gold paint .It also has a few dents which will have to stay I guess. Thanks Simon K

Really really enjoyed it. Thanks Simon

Thanks everyone for the information, I will check out the Nara school works. John - I've added a close up of the mei David - the tsuba is actually perfectly round with an O.D. of 69 mm. I also noticed that it is the only tsuba I have come across that is slightly convex. Cheers Simon

Hi Everyone, I would appreciate any thoughts or information on this small tsuba which appears to be "The Great escape" Thanks Simon

Date looks like Kaei (1848) to me, maybe not 500 years old Simon

I wouldn't ship to China, its too risky. The sword mysteriously goes missing, then the buyer makes a claim and Paypal may then reverse the payment transaction Simon

The tsuba is a chinese repo but the rest look like genuine koshirae, probably Edo. Simon

George, If it were me I would also start by placing ads in the local paper and supermarkets with "Top prices paid for Samurai swords"" instant cash".You never know. Simon

Could it be "Uji" Kaneuji? Simon

Thanks for the input guys, I will give surface mail a miss for now and contact a broker for advice. A dealer has told me he also used standard post not express and has not had an issue. I will make further inquiries with Australia post etc and add anything I find to the thread. Cheers Simon

Keith, Thanks for the feedback, maybe surface mail is an option? have you used it? I couldn't agree more with your sentiments too, its crazy:roll:, we can bring a sword in but cannot send one out.Just doesn't make sense ( Opps forgot, it's the government) Justin Country of origin was Canada and I sent a tanto there, using the same service a month ago without any problems.I guess it was a smaller package? I tried contacting Australia post but who would have guessed....they didn't answer the phone I had a look at the postal guide and have added an extract, the D4.7 clause may be the reason along with Keiths comments on airline restrictions. Maybe the commonwealth permit is an option? Simon Extracts from the Australia post guide “Dangerous and Prohibited Goods and Packing” SECTION 3 – OTHER GOODS PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED IN ALL SERVICES D3.10 – Sharp and pointed articles Australia Post prohibits in all services sharp-edged and pointed articles unless packed as prescribed in D10.15. SECTION 4 – GOODS PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED IN INTERNATIONAL POST D4.7 – Military goods Military goods, civilian arms and goods containing dual-use (military/civilian) technology require a permit from the Commonwealth Department of Defence. Also, check for prohibitions and/or restrictions in the destination country. See the International Post Guide(8838525) or at Australia Post’s internet site http://www.auspost.com.au/international.

Hi all, I am in Melbourne Australia and for the first time have just had a sword I was sending overseas returned to me. Australia post sent the attached letter( I removed the name and tracking number) It didn't even make it out of Melbourne. I used EMS priority express, listed the sword as "Japanese Antique Nihonto" and marked the harmonized tariff code onto the package. Does anyone know if there has been a change in the rules/regulations with Australia post or was it just bad luck? Does anyone in Oz use a different carrier? Thanks Simon

Can anyone please tell me if there are any import restrictions to Hong Kong regarding Nihonto? The sword in question is a gunto (seki stamp) Thanks Simon

Jason, Sorry,not for sale but if you are looking for a Katana give me a PM. Simon

Jason, Here's an example of a tanto.(in need of a polish ) Simon

I really like these, unpapered round menuki (only have sale page photo at present) Simon