shan

Hi all, Well i suppose i am a bit "bottom end" on my collection. If as you say its that bad then i will Keep my money as you have sugested...for now.It was bought as a possible Bizen Osafune 1500`s but the seller thought it may have been much older and maybe Heian because of the sugata. I still believe that it has some merit its just a feeling you get when holding it, but it may just be me being "open to sugestion". It may also be unsalvagable but several togoshi think it can be saved.I expect at a compromise to the shape. Its nothing like any of my other blades,steel,shape and jihada are all ...Very different and this makes me want to look further into the blade.But again maybe i am looking too hard.It will be polished if it is at all possible in april/may along with a blade signed soshu kamakura Tosaburo Yukimitsu and dated Gentoku ?? 2 gatsu 15 hi.I doubt any of them would be considered special but i want to see them restored anyway. I can be realistic if pointed in the right direction (occasionally)and i have no really great blades so cannot truly judge them. Perhaps i am looking at trash and seeing art. There are many levels of collector according to there own budget and exposure to great blades.I am but the very bottom of the barrel (but happy) :D thankyou all for your (as always very helpful )insight and wisdom. You control my "flights of Fancy" and keep me firmly on the ground.(which someone has to) kindest regards shan

Hi all,With reference to my possibly Heian sword blade and Jacques comment. The jury is hung on that one, as the blade is very O-suriage,the tip is chipped and the whole thing is out of polish. early Bizen Osafune school,Yamato,Early kamakura,early or late muromachi etc..etc no-one can decide in its present condition.Even a statment that its a chinese Fake from a reputed Dealer. Some very advanced collectors say maybe it is Heian and others say other slightly later things.Its an enigma Blade ,a freak item.This is why it needs to get polished and sent to shinsa.If you held it and had a good look you would start to question an opinion you had on it.Its a very elegant feel to it.The steel has the look of wet aluminium.Its a poor statement but "the steel is quite fine and pale compared to my other swords and looks slightly "wet" (if that makes scense) It has Utsuri.It has a very high shinogi. The sugata on this item that steers them towards Heian or early Kamakura,the fumbari and Ko kissaki is the other,but i hear what you are saying,it could be much later,thats why shinsa is required. I think this could start a very lengthy depate if offered up for shinsa or even Kantei on this forum. As for the boshi Brian,i hope there is enough left but your right there may not be.Several polishers have said it can be saved though(if it was Heian it might still be a nice item) I will get it done and keep my Fingers crossed.If it is rubbish,then i have learned something. best regards shan

Hi Marcus, Thats interesting. Its think it nice to know the traditional folktales that inspire these artists. Thankyou very much for the info.Much appreciated. Regards shan

Hi all, I would love to post just the one sword for UK shinsa but i cannot get it polished in time unless i have a place. It is a possibly early Blade and maybe Heian.Its Boshi needs a little repair but its all there. What do you think? would you Give up one of your places to get something like this shinsa? :D Can you get it in in time Paul? Sorry about the images i a rubbish at getting them the right size and to show in the message window. regards shan

Hi Sabastian, It says Goto go? Jo Kao.I think. (one of the goto craftsmen possibly) I cannot identify the 3rd kanji,sorry.Perhaps somone else could help? I have to say that it looks like quality though its hard to tell with the image supplied of the front.If it is not Gimei you have a nice Kozuka there.(if it is gimei ,its still a nice kozuka) Regards shan

Hi James, :D I do not know the answers to these questions but i sugest you post a message to find out. The bones of a tsuba are what is evident when the steel has been folded and worked i believe. I have no idea if goto worked in Iron But they were primarily soft metal workers who followed strict patterns of production based on approved themes.I think in the later 1700`s a member "broke away" from tradition but only in so far as the themes. Ask the question to the forum,they are very knowledgable in matters Tosogu. regards shan

Hi, I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news but i think that you know what i am going to say next. Its a Fake. The kissaki is a very poor shape ,the habaki is poor and the jigane is poor ,the nakago is very poor and the whole thing just has the look and feel of recent chinese or similar forgery with no understanding of sugata at all.IMHO If you ever actually own or see a real Japanese sword you will understand what i am saying. Whilst not an expert on tsuba i feel that i could spot a fake/modern piece easily.I feel the tsuba is not real either. However,we all have to start somewhere. Have a look at these images i have posted closely and you will see the levels of craftsmanship (and this sword is not a particularily high grade example). regards and sorry shan

Hi Rick, I picked one of these up a short while ago and wanted to find similar items to compare it to. Mine is 25.5cm Nagasa so is quite small. I have had one feedback from another collector who stated that mine could not possibly be a Boys day sword beacause its dimensions were nearer to a miniture wakizashi than a mini Katana. I have no idea if this is likely to be true but i doubt it. I would love to see the images of your Boys day sword and will hapily supply mine by return. I will also show you mine when its polished but thats not until November/december. Regards shan

Thankyou for your input Brian & Jon, If it doesn`t have photo`s its no good to me really. I have to have a visual point of reference. Many thanks for you help shan

Hi again, Yes Thankyou,i tried that @ ,but no reply. He must be ignoring me,(can`t say i blame him) I am going to get it polished and will then offer it up for sale. Might get a half decent price for it All the best shan

Hi John, Sorry i had "Mune" on the brain, yes it is Masatsune ,call it a typo. The dragon carved Kozuka is Brass with a gold "plating" The Munehisa is Copper on darker copper,sorry if any of them look like iron,they are not as far as i can see. Thanks for the help in looking. were they all working around the same periods? The book you are reffering to sounds useful. Can i access that information online? regards shan

Thanks John, Not sure the email is right but i will try to contact him. Famous film director isn`t he? regards shan

Thanks for that guys,its always nice to get a "different take" on things. However chucky will have problems at the moment as it has the "edge" of a butter knife :lol: shan

Thanks for that everyone. A boy’s sword it is then. I did google “Boys Day Sword†and other alternatives but could find nothing to personally compare it to. I will get it polished sympathetically and have the Tsuka rewrapped. Anyone out there collect these boys swords? Does anyone know a tsuka expert in the UK who may be able to rewrap the 6.5 cm Tsuka? Many many thanks as always shan

Hi Brian,Milt, Yes,Sorry i guess i am being a bit of an optimist.But i know nothing about Kozuka I had a look through some auction catologues and saw the "attributed to`s" then info on the attributed artisan and thought they were examples of the work, but as you rightly state they are likley all gimei. I see what you mean about the craftsmanship,its very beautifully done and shows a skill above anything i have. I did think that the Oni Kozuka was early and is definatly not pressed and Hotei was carved as well but i have no real experience of Kozuka. I thank you all again for your always helpful input and will be in contact as soon as i find a real Goto piece .I have learned something here. Kindest regards Shan

Hi, I have a Kozuka Made by the Artisan Munehisa. I know nothing about this Craftsman or when he worked. I wonder if anyone has any items by Munehisa that may be signed the same way. Any information on this artist would be much appreciated and if anyone can translate the inscription on the blade even better!!! Also i have a brass/copper and gold plated Kozuka By an artisan named Munetsune. Again i cannot find any works by him or attribute this item to a period or school.

Hi Dan, what you can see in person is likely better than i can see but i am willing to offer sugestions. Th image is not very sharp, so it looks to me like a person/Woman, their head resting on there right arm on a blanket/splay of silks?. It would be good to see the other one and perhaps get a slightly sharper image of the pair of menuki.(you can cut out the ito a bit more and concentrate (zoom in) on the menuki). regards shan

Thanks for that Franco, They are as I received them sadly,polish and all. Might I offer a suggestion based on the study technique you have suggested.These are guesses though. The Oni In clouds piece is (to me)somewhat reminiscent of Goto Joshin in its style and execution and I have found in a 2000 Sotheby’s catalogue one of very similar execution but slightly different subject matter,same patina and carving style though.. My Bids are: The dragon is very reminiscent of Goto style but may well be generic? The horse kozuka is a Goto school item? but i cannot decide on period. The Oni is the 3rd Mainline master Goto Joshin.(long shot maybe) I am struggling to determine when an iron kozuka with Copper decoration & gold and silver overlay would have been made. The copper Hotei with sack is an early piece its heavy and quite solid feeling maybe 1500`s dated? If any of you have any opinions please feel free to share them. I am sorry to say i have very little knowledge of the subtlties of shinsa. Kindest regards shan

Hi all, Thanks for the responses Thierry, john & Brian. I have also had the "suggestion" that it may be a Dolls sword due to its small size,do any of you feel this could be a possibility?Its rather elaboratly forged for just a doll. I intend to get this polished but, what would be the recommendation shashikomi or Hadori? Many thanks shan

Hi again, I have a small sword that came with the Gimei goto style Kozuka i showed in another listing. I wonder if anyone can shed any light on its significance and age. I have included some pictures: Unusual small Shinto sword. Shinogi zukuri,Toriizori. masame/itame hada, Midare hamon, Chu kissaki,omaru boshi& yakitsume /kaeri fukai. 25.6cm Nagasa 6mm Sori 2.3cm Motohaba 1.8cm at yokote 3.5cm long kissaki 5mm thick Moto & 4.5mm Saki-kasane 6mm at shinogi. Mumei with kurijiri Kesho Yasuri yasureme Kozuka and fuchi kashira similar style to Goto Family. Tsuba is mokku gata with gold zogan in floral/vine pattern.

Thankyou all for your assistance with this item. You have been a great help to me. Please have a look at the other 5 Kozuka i listed and give me an opinion on them if you can,I promise not to question your findings For the Oni in clouds kozuka,Might i sugest Goto joshin the 4th mainline master as the style and theme is very like his,Classic and minimalist. Kindest regards Shan

Hi Brian, Nothing is brass in this lot,I have one brass plain WWII Kozuka but that has a very differant feel to it.. I think the turtles are iron with other metals ontop. The dragon is copper,as is the Hotei kozuka(with guilt traces) the horses are mixed and the Oni i am not sure of, but there are traces of guilt to them all, I hope this helps regards shan

Hi Ludolf, Yes i know the tsuba is Kanjo,the comparison was the Go-to and the Jo- Kao which i felt were very similar to mine in style and application. I see that its not signed with the same hand as the mei you have supplied so can only assume that it is indeed gimei and with brian additional comment that now make perfect scense to me.I am sorry if i appear confrontational but i have to understand how someone reaches a conclusion so as to learn by it (posative or negative),If i just accepted an opinion without looking for a reason.......I would never learn. I would be a poor student if i did not ask questions regard shan

Thanks for the link Franco, I had seen that fantastic set of fittings and agree that the mei is different but then thats a very different class of fitting to what i have being solid gold menuki and so on so the artist may well have signed it himself.I will show you the Kozuka and let a more learned person decide if it is Goto or not as it is far to subtle a field for me to judge.I think the Tsuba Mei i recently posted is very similar but perhaps they all are, gimei or not. I understand what you are saying Brian about juging the workmanship, but i have no experience of these items so cannot decide what is "right" or "wrong" about the items. Have alook at the whole Kozuka and tell me what you think. Regards Shan

I have joined and i am listing these 5 Kozuka on this forum as i believe that many heads are better than one and at the sugestion Of Darcy. I have a few kozuka which i am having difficulty in placing in a period or school of artists. I would appreciate any help with any of these items ( i only have a little knowledge and we all know how dangerous that can be). I know its "picking other peoples Brains" and please forgive me,but i havn`t a clue who to attribute these to. They are for reference 1. Double dragon 2. Hotei under sack? 3. horses (Also have Fuchi Kashira to match) 4. Oni on clouds? 5. Sea Turtles? I know its a long Many thanks to all who offer a suggestion to help. Shan