robinalexander

Seppa #2

Hi all, I recently bought a few seppa from Japan and after a close look found that three had, or may have, engravings of some kind. The most outstanding is a seppa with what I first thought were hammer marks but on closer in inspection it looks more like a 'picture' ....leaves....hills... or, is that simply my imagination? For clarity, I will post a couple of pics of the first seppa (ref above) accompanied with a carpenters pencil 'rubbing'. I will post the second and third seppa on following posts so as to avoid any confusion If the second and third seppa actually have legible markings, it would be great to know what they mean. Thank you.

Plus 10% GST (Goods and Services Tax) on most things we buy (groceries & consumeables, everything almost) and, all services we engage (plumbers, mechanics etc) Plus more than 40 cents tax on every litre of fuel we buy Plus $40 tax out of a 25 pack of cigarettes which cost $50 dollars in total (I don't smoke) Plus Payroll Tax....Plus Capital Gains Tax.... Plus Sales Tax ....plus ...plus....😒 I'm just grad I live in 'the lucky country' 🤥

I think the real ones would have looked better with a kissaki like that!

Yep Hunter...exactly what Sham said....if you paid by Paypal you may also have a chance of money back through that avenue. The seller was contacted and 'enlightened' by more than one member, way prior to any final bids being made....dont be too hard on yourself (but dont fall for it again either) ... the seller is culpable. Below is copied from the Paypal Australia site.......dont let the bast"/^d get away with it. Good luck. Shop with confidence. If your order is significantly different to the seller’s description or doesn’t arrive, you have 180 days to file a dispute. It could be that the event you bought a ticket for was cancelled, you didn’t receive everything you bought, or the item was defective, damaged or counterfeit. We can protect you for the full purchase price plus shipping costs, up to $20,000 per item. To help protect your purchase, make sure you: Pay with PayPal Keep your account in good standing (so don’t dispute everything!)

Well the results are in ....Whiskey Tango Foxtrot ....38 bids US $910

Piers, the Chinese are way ahead with this marrying concept.....they produced a more portable 'pagoda sword' a long time ago...just easier to carry on horseback

Confused me too Bruce...I think the Real and Fake columns are ok but (no offence Gabe) I would probably loose the words 'Right Side and Left Side

Well gents, I have irrefutable proof that it never ever happened. I used the Monkey Meter of Truthfullness. The Monkey has a YouTube video titled 'Japanese sword cut through machine gun barrell'......BUT even he has used the word rumour! If there had been even a shadow of a doubt as to the veracity of the story he would of capitalised on it. He has not done that, therefore it is simply not true.

You are right Neil....what's not to like about that! The blade is a standout and love the dark colour and finish of the Ito. The Same and fittings also have that 'older' (early?) darker colour to them which looks superb on the longer(?) tsuka. All in one package....not too many boxes left to tick.

20 bidders have taken it to US $304.99 just this morning with 4 days to go

This is a little scary. Makes Polish and Indian fakes look like national treasures. This is currently on Ebay. I thought I would let the seller know its fake so he can do the right thing. But he disputes my view and implies he put a lot of effort into buying this and even more into selling it, to ensure it is real He wants me to explain exactly why its not genuine.....you know what, I just couldnt be bothered! Hopefully the current bidders arent going any higher.

Michael...just a comment if I may ...that is a perfect description of the 'housing market', at least here in Australia!

Couldnt help it...reported to Ebay fraudulent listing! Some poor 'b' may be ripped off.

Unbelievable!

'The Railway Man' . The two main characters played by Colin Firth and Hiroyuki Sanada. The actual soldiers being Lt. Eric Lomax and IJN Officer and Interpreter(for Kempeitai) Takashi Nagase. I grabbed a quick picture of the final frame from the movie. Just found it interesting (but not in a flippant way).

Enjoyed reading that Adam....love your work!

Hi Jim congratulations you have a genuine Rinji Seishiki (RS) gunto. Commonly called a Type 3. The last of the officers sword 'patterns' in WW2. More info on this sword here http://ohmura-study.net/ (see Type 3) The ring on the ashi looks ok to me (?) and from the pics, the 'grain' on the kissaki (tip) looks a little more like pitting (light rust damage) than grain. Others will chime in I'm sure. Rob

Something is just not right here.

Sorry Jean C.......I agree. Unable to produce any more than I have as this is a sellers photo. The story, and unprovable conviction of the seller, just sends up a lot of red flags. On this occassion, your doubts alone are enough to make me wish I hadn't even posted this. So please any others 'translators' .... your valuable time will be better spent on others. Thanks Rob

This has got the better of me. Its either enormously very special or just chinese but I've given up guessing these types. Any idea? Rob

ditto

Yes, great covers thanks John. The seki Kai (Okada KANEYOSHI) was owned by an Ensign Maehara 14th Base Force (at least, accordingy to the surrender tag). Great pacakage on face value but unfortunately, the same has all but dissappeared in mid to lower sections of the saya and the blade has not been treated well, post war. Another loved orphan 😊 Rob

The Hiromasa is third from the left. @Stephen . A couple of sellers pics attached. I was able to pick it up due to the generosity of an astute sword mate over here. Beautifully made, solid sword with the heaviest metal saya (and cover) I have ever held.

So agree Bruce. But that is a random 'maintenance' snapshot. Initially, I just wanted one 95 ... but I read, I listened, and my first purchase turned out to be a not inexpensive Koto (mumie) in 98 mounts from the UK (good credentials, tks Bill Tagg.). Rob