David Flynn

I believe all gimei signatures must be removed before resumitting

The signature is definately, Minamoto Masayuki wheather or not it is Gimei, I don't know.

Mmmmm National treasure

Here is your two nearest sword groups, the British token, http://www.to-ken.com/ contact Peter Richards,mailto:Peter@to-ken.freeserve.co.uk Northern To-ken http://www.northerntokensociety.co.uk/ Contact, Ian Bottomley at mailto:IBottomley@compuserve.com. I hope they can help Good luck

Milt your probably right. But, 15 sets of Goto Mitokoromono MMMMMMMM

Rich, I see Allan and Sue Morton in one of the pics. Did Allan drool over everything and was he coherent afterwards. Great pics, exreme envy

Just because somehtings are short and stubby, dosen't mean they don't work properly

John, I look at the sugata first, Well thats not 100% true, If the Hamon and boshi are visible, ie clean sword, quickly check these out. Then I check the sugata. Make sure that the overall dimensions are right ( this is done with the eye and not tape measures ). Check for bumps, such as hammer marks Check the lines, shinogi etc. Then I go back to the Hamon and boshi. I believe that all swords were originaly meant for buisness ( except maybe some of the newer art swords ). A case in point, is WW11 gendaito. These swords were made to be used. However, some of these swords ,are truly works of art as well.

I have seen some Hein blades, where the Hamon is only 1 mm or two thick, and the boshi is gone. These were still classed as acceptable and I am lead to believe, some like this have made juyo.

Milt, just to share things around, I believe they paper some to Kaga

I was wondering, if anyone does have the site saved? Would they be willing to put it on, the nihontopedia

Thank you Brian and Carlo, They are great sites.

Brian, perhaps a fourth option be made available. The combination of points one and two.

Brian, thank you for this opportunity to have a say. In Australia, we have rather strict gun laws. Some of the comments made in the general discussion forum were rather disturbing. However, I am totaly for free speech. So, I vote that the general discussion forum be just that. Maybe though, if a subject appears to be sensitive, a warning of some kind could be given.

Fred lohman and co. however, your looking at $100 each.

Unfortuneately, these scams go on all the time on ebay

G'day Darren. I started collecting in 1992. My first sword was a gimei Muramasa. I collected for about 10 years, then became disenchanted. I sold most of my collection about 4 years ago. I then thought that I might as well still dable, and so began to buy gendaito. Since then, I have managed to aquire some very good gendai. This in turn rekindled the desire. So now I collect mainly ( not only ) gendai. P.S. I also come from a martial arts background. However I was never very good. :lol:

Personaly, I do my own research where ever possible. However, when it comes to texts in Japanese, I come to an end. Harry Afu Watsons Translations of Nihonto Koza and Fujishiro are worth their weight in cocky kack ( an Australianism for priceless ). I applaud any site, which promotes Nihonto study. E.g. Richard stein's and the now defunct Jin soo kim. However, no site is Perfect and only time will tell if this site will be of any value. I for one, wish this site every success.

Next year at the Chicago sword show, the NTHK npo will hold a shinsa ( authentication certification ). Check, Mid Western Token Kai for dates

I believe, the idea is to have as much information as possible, on the one site. I don't believe the intention is to criticise other sites. Unfortunately, egos do become involved, which is a pity, but alas that makes us human. I hope that egos may be put aside for the benefit of everyone. If this venture fails, I still applaud the attempt. Maybe, if due credit is given to all contributory sources maybe it will succeed. It is easy to criticise, even if there is no intention of condemming.

I would like to inform this forum, that Andres Pedraza, has begun a nihontopedia: http://nihontopedia.com for the dissemination of Nihonto studies. I personaly applaud Andres and wish this site every success. I also hope that members of this forum, will contribute where ever and when ever possible

Eric, perhaps it is a boys katana

Rob, they are sure to be ok for martial arts. They are not true NIHONTO.

Rob, one of the main things you have to realise, is the difference in price between real and replica. The advice given so far is all correct. However, may I suggest that you also check out some of the dealers sites. This will show you what to aim for. I am not trying to suggest that you only buy from a dealer, I'm only saying this is generaly the quality we strive for. Definately join a club ( hopefuly there will be one close ) and definately start reading. Also, as Stephan suggested, go to arms shows and see whats for sale and how much. Again though, remember a little knowledge is dangerous. Most of us have probably lost money on swords they thought were ok. Good luck.

Thank you very much Richard. I enjoyed the videos very much and it was very good of you to share them.