David Flynn

For Oshigata, Jolhn Sloughs book is best.

The last time was 6 mths ago. Adrian has high quality swords and fittings, however, these have the least interest. The swords that sell at arms fairs are, Gunto and NCO. It appears the discerning collector, doesn't bother to much with arms fairs, except to see if a sleeper turns up.

The blade I saw, was actually similar to a Nagamitsu, Gunome/choji. However, the mei was very amateurishly done. An isntant look, by anyone who knows the Nagamitsu Mei, would pick it. Also it wasn't another Nagamitsu, as it was definately mean't to look like Ichihara Nagamitsu.

Australia only has a small population. We don't have a dedicated sword show (although we had a shinsa and show last year). Nihonto, being a particular niche, isn't "out there," like some other artforms. Also, the distance between major centres is also a great handicap.

Unfortunately yes. Adrian Schlemmer and myself Had a table at the Sydney show for quite a while. However, the amount of interest does not warrant us attending any longer.

Chris, I have actually seen a fake, Nagamitsu(ichihara).

I'm glad I didn't enter this discussion, oops

Looks like it comes down to this. If a sword has sayagaki by someone of note and you like it and their asking a higher price than gerneraly asked for a sword of this particular smith, because of said sayagaki, go ahead. If a sword has sayagaki by someone of note and you think the price is too high for this particular smith, don't buy it. Personaly, I would be just as happy with a sword if it had sayagaki or not. However, if it came down to paying more money because of this saygaki, I would probably decline the purchase. Again, because a sword has a sayagaki by someone of note, this doesn't make it a better sword. As far as the NBTHK, except for Hozon papers, I couldn't care less. I usually have my swords papered by the NTHK. I, like others in Japan that Chris has mentioned, don't have enough respect for that particular orginisation.

I see your point Eric. Yes that type of Sayagaki is desirable. However when buying a sword, unless one is a novice and buying the sword on reputation, The Sayagaki is Just nice to have. It doesn't change the sword. It doesn't make the sword any better or worse. Hopefuly, when one is buying a sword of this quality (usualy, Tokubetsu Hozon, or Juyo), One is already familiar, with the workmanship and quality and the sayagaki only backs up their own assesment.

Jim I have to disagree with you here. Asking for a Sayagaki is one thing, having someone of a particular standing is another. Some polishers will even do sayagaki if asked and then (depending on whether they signed it or not) put their own reputation on the line. If a sword has papers, and the sayagaki matches, what's the problem. Having and "Expert", do the sayagaki really doesn't have much bearing on the issue, unless it doesn't match what the Sword soc. say. Of course it's nice to have a sayagaki by say, Kanozan Sato or someone of that stature, but in the long run, it's the sword and the sword soc. that counts.

Richard, a lot of old swords were put in gunto mountings and taken to the war.

Jumyo

The hole in the end of the tang, is usually there for 1944 pattern mounts. This is not a tradionally made sword, it is a showato. Yes it may have been put in other mounts.

He was a Seki smith. worked in Seki.

Uji fusa, Stainless steel, I think. Is this a navy sword.

Noshu Ju Yoshi Mitsu Saku. with a seki stamp. It is a showato. Sometimes they like to jazz them up a bit.

The Kanetsune I posted about earlier, recieved, NTHK kanteisho.

This is a reproduction sword. The blades are usually made of alloy and the hamon etched.

Ken, I also don't buy swords to resell. However, if something better comes along, welllll! Also, one never knows what's around the corner, s**t happens. Prudence is advisable. A friend of mine has a Juyo sword for sale on this forum for a lot less than he paid for it. I saw a Kiyomaro for sale in Japan when I was there, $45,000 US, Beautiful Sword, except, I thought the Jitestsu was a bit weak. That was enough to turn me off, at that price.

Buy for the sword, not the name. A good sword by anyone will sell. A not so good one, wellllll!

I have a Gendaito, signed, Kanetsune, living in west village, Mino. This is an excellent sword made tradional Mino style, probably a copy of a Kanetsune. It has fabulous O mokume hada and a terrific crumbling Hamon :D

This is why it may be tradional. If it had a showa or seki stamp, it would be non-tradional.

amazon is probably the cheapest. $26.37 us

you mean I may take my pick? Ok then I'll take Buddha.

seen a few done like this, made to look either Suriage or O'suriage. If you look at the machi's they look reasonably fresh, plus the placing of the signature. Also the way the hamon makes it look machiokuri. Plus the sugata where the blade meets the nakago. But I wouldn't bet my left testicle on it! :D