David Flynn

I have been lead to believe, that these swords are actually handmade. Some have Mokume hada, some Itame hada and some Nashiji hada. I have also been lead to believe, that the Numbers on the mune of the nakago are a reference number to the smith that made a particular sword. Alas, many theories abound.

Hope to see you there Jock.

Welcome, Anthony and Yuri.

In Oz, we call this a Bodgie.

G'day and welcome.

I was also led to believe, that some Juyo papers issued in the 80s are also spurious.

Hello and welcome Gunnar.

May I suggest, instead of relying on second hand information, we all check with our respective Post offices.

Welcom Kieran

Welcome to all our new members and Kiora Corey.

Thanks Adrian. Also, anyone interested in being a volunteer, please let Adrian or myself know.

Check, So Masamitsu. I don't know if it's the same smith.

Stephen, the one on ebay is Katana Mei. The one here is Tachimei. Also the one on ebay is signed Noshu Seki Kanekami, and the yasurimei doesn't look as good.

I read the bottom two kanji as HIROSIGE. It also looks like there is some missing, in that the Nakago looks reshaped.

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.