BjornLundin

Latest addition to my Higo build sets, a wave fuchi kashira set with extras. I think I was lucky for once in auction. Best Björn

Sorry did not want to hijack the thread. Mine is unlikely to have tsukare utsuri from my observation. I may create a new post of this old battle scared blade after it has gone through restoration and +- papers.

Now also a gold member. Thank you to Brian and all members for a wealth of information and help.

Sorry, if I hijack the thread. I thought dark area was the utsuri... Reading Marcus Sesko thought on utsuri he has a picture calling the "dark area" antai. The utsuri starts above the antai. I include also a photo of one of my blades. Is this correct?

Me like http://world.seiyudo...m/product/ka-121222/

Could be in the production process (clay/tempering). Significance is that it has no use as a tool or weapon, it has lost its purpose (dead).

Hard to say from the photos but it looks like that the hamon goes out from the blade. I think it is called Nioi-gire and is considered a major flaw.

Is the hamon running out of the blade? I would go for a papered blade, these type of blades is for experts to know if to buy or not.

https://www.aoijapan...ira-mumeiunsigned-4/

I would ask the seller I know too little of the subtle aspects of what makes a blade this and that price. Others probably are much better than me to advise on price. -B update. I asked about an Omiya katana that was on Aoi a time ago. There are some examples of different Omiya blades in the thread, which can give a bit of perspective on the different levels. If you search of Omiya on the forum you will get more threads about this school. This one was very nice https://world.seiyud...m/product/ka-010918/ .

Personally, Without knowledge, this is a bit of a minefield (but what area of antiques and art isn't?). When starting, the problem is knowing my taste, what I like, what to look for, and what area of interest. Will I buy to learn from the item and then sell it to move forward or to buy and keep it? I probably made all the mistakes from the start and continue to learn. Grey has many books https://www.Japanese.../item-category/book/ -B

No don't tell about Omiya, prices will go up 15k - https://nihonto.com....thk-npo-certificate/ 10.5k - https://www.nipponto.../detailomiyaden.html 7.8k just sold - https://www.samuraim...k-hozon-certificate/ Is there any more that is on the market? Omiya usually pops up occasionally and maybe a bit underrated.

Any price range is hard. Is it Bizen that you are looking for? I like this one... It is not a katana, but from a known/famous smith. Nice time period, and you have the other oei smith to collect also. Yen is weak now also. https://www.aoijapan...kubetsu-hozon-token/ Other than that, I would ask around, as suggested earlier, maybe with more specific details of what you want.

Cant answer much about the rust, but if it was active shouldnt it be a bit more "red" than blackish? I would be more concerned if it is a real nihonto? Looks a bit like a Chinese fake to me?

Ah, so sorry. It was the gold (brass) high lights that you pointed out. Those are probably painted? on. Yes Brian, it is very much likely to be cast with some hands on? work on it. Is it made to dupe the market, or more like a souvenir... I try not to defend it, but find it interesting that I and others can understand the details that says "it is a fake" . When you say every sign, then what is the signs? Overall feeling? Best Björn

I took a new photo of the peach, While I was at it, I took a few photos of the rim of the tsuba. There are some very tiny traces of file marks. Here on the feathers that go around the rim, and on the "plain" side of the rim. This is 40x so it is not something I can see with my bare eyes.

First, thank you for commenting! I value it greatly. Hi, no sorry that is a reflection on the peach. I will take another one I have now done a small test with a non acid paint remover. I have added a small drop on a part of the tsuba, and waited 10-15 min as instructed on the product. Then cleaned with 75% EtoH. To the left (original), then moving to the right addition of paint remover, then clean with EtOH, and then clean with water and dry. There was no "paint" removed. See if I will try on the gold highlights also... Best Björn

The internet is a treasure cove of information. I believe that the Christie 2005 may be the same as Bonhams (left). Christies photo (to the right) quality can be discussed. Base metal is unknown to me... <

The tsuba to the left is the one I found on Pinterest, the middle and the right is from Bonhams.

Hi, I think the brassy colors are probably artifacts from taking the photo, and some shine may be from my hand. I will see if I can take a few more. If my heart can take it, I will also try to swab a little of non-acid paint remover on a spot of the tsuba. I will update later. After placing the tsubas found online next to each other and comparing to mine, I am pretty convinced that the one sold at Christies is the one that I have. Bonhams has quite good quality of there photos, I give them 5 stars. For the nagako-ana, I compare now the three tsubas I have found. I removed my photo, since it is the same as Christies. The left one is Bonhams, then mine (Christies), and to the right is the one found on Pinterest. I am a bit on the side that if cast the nagako was cut out later. <

Hello, great answers. Where does the base metal show through, since I do not see it. What is it in the nakago-ana that tell you it is a cast? -Björn

A few more photos

Hello, I was reading and like my father that saw a pelé football card on the antique road show, I like him I thought dont I have one similar item like this. Then no bug, it could be a fake. So then this is an excellent opportunity to scrutinize this tsuba a bit closer, instead of bad photos/pictures of the net. So I took two new bad photos with my phone camera. So now, please let me know what you want to look closer at and what details tell whether this is a fake or not. This might be a good learning tool for me and others to spot fakes or not. After a bit searching on the net I found two others that are similar to the one I have and the one on Bonhams. One was sold at Christies https://www.christie...m/en/lot/lot-5316579. The other on Pinterest https://www.pinteres.../179510735125414896/ Here is mine... I do not believe it is iron, or a copper alloy. I think I read somewhere about zink alloy as a material for tsuba. Then I also have a small digital microscope... The nagako hitsu ana looks to been saw out... The Mei looks at least that someone did it. Rooster head one of the peaches Let me know what you think, what you want to look more closely at? Best Björn

For advice, please add photos in the nihonto section then you may get an opinion if there is any value to have it restored professionaly by a togishi. Otherwise just let it be. There is advice on the board to relatively safely treat a rusty sword or pass it on. My 5 cents

Oei bizen tanto is tempting, from photo. Price point unknown for yasumitsu compared to the other two Oei bizen smiths. https://www.bonhams....333-1573-circa-1400/ Omiya bizen, I honest dont know about this one. It doesnt feel great but there is something that interest me. New polish or better photo... Is it really from the Omiya school? Someone please educate me about this one! Price point on the border.... https://www.bonhams....3-1573-16th-century/