shakudo

Hi all, not sure on this but think its script rather than kangi. Auction is still going and I have not bid as yet. Opinions please. Many thanks to all who give their time and expertise to us all. We really do appreciate! Even if we dont Say. I am so pleased to be apart of this group and really appreciate all the help you give me.

Hi Grev, sorry for late reply. So Tadayoshi- mei or mumei? The tsuba has mei so either shoshin or gimei! I know some collectors who only go for mumei- cant be gimei but have seen blades with 3 different appraisals- I have one with 2- may put it up again and see! Cheers

Hi members, Thanks to George, Steve and Barrie for their input on this tsuba mei. As I have not had any further responses with regard to samples of mei for Mitsunori 1651- 1692 (2nd master of the Genbei Goto line) I must assume that I will have to send to Shinsa. Thanks again for all who responded and to those who visited .Tsuba has landed so can now forward pics if your interested. Regards Mike.

Thanks Jean, thought so but was really unsure. Thanks for the NMB links I am working my way thru them. Cheers

Hi all, have this tsuba and not sure if the mei is Kunihiro or? Dont have many kanji resources but not sure if its right. Would appreciate any help you can give. Many thanks

Dear George, Much appreciated for that info- I will try to source but dont know anyone with those resources. Might get lucky! Thank you so much for taking the time to share. Regards Mike.

Dear George, Many thanks for that- thought there maybe a different line and this maybe one of them. Interesting its earlier- using info supplied unfortunately and its not papered obviously. Dont suppose you have a mei at all? Thanks once again. Mike

Hi Steve, Many thanks for this example. Thats what Im looking for- as many as I can find so I can form an opinion on it. Regards Mike.

Hello one and all, have come across this and am finding trouble sourcing a mei fo ( Im told?!) Goto Keijo ( Mitsumori) 1739 - 1804) have searched the Board but to no avail. Anyone have a mei for this Goto? Opinions welcomed and desired if possible. Many thanks for any assistance, Regards Mike

Hi Mark, Bit late to this but I waited and waited until I could achieve what I thought of as a matching koshirae. I purchased a daisho koshirae with a dragon theme. All fittings are shakudo- fuchi kashira match but the dragons are in different positions and I strongly suggest they were made by the same hand- mumei. The menuki are the same - made by same hand , different poses and sizes for the dai and the sho- may even be the same maker as fuchi kashira - need papering! Also tsuba are a matching set but are a different maker as style of features on dragon heads vary from the others and background is not nanako as the F/K- when I get some decent pics I will post. Mind you It has taken me nearly ten years to find this daisho but I am extremly happy with them- my unicorn! I have other koshirae and have always been disappointed on the mismatched fittings- even though I greatly appreciate the craftsmanship of each piece. My feeling is that unless a koshirae was special order they are nearly always mismatched due to the many reasons already discussed. But they are out there! ps. Hope the poor pics I have at present load. Regards

Hi Richard, Just for interest was any info given on the tsuba? NBTHK or one of the others? Personally I think it is a great piece and anyone would be happy to have- pm if you want to be rid of it!!! Hahaha! As others have said good nanako and extremely well done dragons- great scales! Enjoy Mike.

They arrived on the 29th! Great packaging - even tsuba bubble wrapped to outside of box! Cheers

Hi all, just an update- tracking shows the parcels have arrived in Sydney on 23/3 so only 54 days from Japan using surface/ sea mail. Thanks to all.

Many thanks for your thoughts and experiences! DHL- well - jauce over packed my purchases - 65000 postage! But wait theres more- DHL refused due to length of parcel( you would think this auction company would be on top of that! Really!) I advised to collapse parcel/ repack to their specs- but wait theres more- DHL viewed my Edo daisho koshirae as replica swords- tsunagi- what the ____. Refused parcel completely!!! Advised jauce to send by surface- left on 28/1/21 and as most have said tracking is a joke! Certainly makes one wonder if its really worth it - but it's under my skin so " suck it up princess!" Getting hard! Cheers

Hi Brano and Kids I, many thanks for your comments. Seems I still have quite a while to wait! But must admit I'm surprised that the tracking does not continue after it leaves Japan? I've been on JP website tried to find a contact email but nothing only the phone number of last point of despatch! - what would be thechances of reaching an English speaking worker! Thanks again for your input and I'll keep fingers crossed! Cheers

Hi All, Anyone have recent experience with Jp surface mail( sea freight) tracking. I'm 7 weeks in waiting and am unable to track after it left Japan- anyone know how I can get any more information? I tracked a motor bike from USA and was able to follow complete journey- but here nothing after despatch? Only sent surface as DHL wouldn't send- only koshirae by the way! Would appreciate any views or contacts if there is one- apart from phone- my Japanese is very poor!! Regards Michael

Hi Hector, I too need some . I purchased one and have pulled it apart for a pattern. The cord is easily purchased and padding could be modern.I have also purchased kimino and intend to use inner material for linings. It just gets down to time and patience. Best of luck

Hi Dan, In 2018 I unsuccessfully tried to purchase a katana in full koshirae- dragons ( love 'em!) This had kogai and kozuka and was papered- NTHK. Unfortunately the blade was very poor quality and gimei- also NTHK- last Sydney shinsa. If not for the blade I would have paid the sellers price. They do exhist! Cheers Mike

Hi Piers, Many thanks again.I will look more at the sugata when it comes back from Japan. I would post some pics but I foolishly did not take one of the whole blade so makes it a bit hard. It has reasonable fumbari( width at habaki?) But doesnt taper drastically like a bizen blade and has a medium boshi. Thanks again- more research!

Hi Steve, Many thanks for your reply. At least as you say not many in early Edo and I am searching Fujishiro and with temper line I think I maybe fairly close. But as you say mumei and not much to go on! Thank you once again.

Hi all, Just received NBTHK papers for the Kanewaka. Does the paper show a period/ date at all? School is great but period would really help. Many thanks as always

Hi Piers, Many thanks for your efforts. Dont know if I can tighten the focus or not? Also not sure if NBTHK would give a generation- guessing just school as NTHK but you never know- wishful thinking I suppose. But pleased to hear from you and thanks again.

Hi all, I recieved this pic of a worksheet for my sword that was offered for NBTHK shinsa in March. Am really interested to see what information is available from it? Sword is mumei and attributed to Kanewaka but thats all I have- sword and papers still in Japan. Many thanks in advance.

Hi Ciro, not sure on susudake translation but a bamboo chopstick works when refined. I have about 3 dozen bamboo mekuji pegs- 7mm to 2 mm and about 50mm long so can be adjusted as needed- if thats what your after just postage mate but I'm in Australia- chopstick easier and cheaper- if you cant, find a woodworker. Cheers mate.

Hi Piers, agreed. Had no idea it would be over the 15cm but still mailed out? Hi Brian, hope your well and recovering. Yes I agree with all your comments- prbably a silly purchase but as I had a nice small koshirae I thought a blade would be better than a tsunagi and as it was less than 15cm no drama- would have fitted nicely but hey- is what it is. I was thinking shinshinto. Would love some direction on mei if anyone can direct me. Thank you both for you replies- great forum and great people. Cheers