Mikaveli

Is the second Kanji something like: 前 or 先 (sen / saki)?

For me, I'd say that's an absolute no-no. Any non-essential, irreversible modification damedesu! It'd certainly affect the value. I've seen listings where damage from marking the ana when removing the mekugi pin has been called out.

Ish. I wouldn't modify a tsuba to fit - but it's easy to make a bamboo or brass spacer to take up any slack. Fuchi / kashira wise - typically these are given to the tsuka maker, who can incorporate them (without any modification).

I think koshirae has almost always been a matter of personal choice / preference. Whether koto fittings are ok on a shinto, remember the shingunto military swords had koshirae based on Kamakura-era tachi... Personally, if I had an ubu tachi, I'd use tachi mounts. But any katana / suriage tachi from Muromachi onwards - go with whatever look you want to see. 💪

Not quite, Parcelforce will accept blades/ swords sent within the UK too - just not for retail customers (it will for account customers). The restrictions in your screenshot is their retail policy, the text from me is their account policy (including EMS). Also, remember that originally someone thought that Royal Mail's policy would apply to Parcelforce because they "shared a network". This isn't the case - Parcelforce handle much more (despite restrictions) than Royal Mail allow. As for confiscations, we're always at the mercy of ignorance. We can only ensure we've very clearly stated the contents (including ages / "date of manufacture"), its antique status and hope for the best. It's not uncommon to encounter police who don't know the law, let alone temporary/ casual staff at a parcel company.

Again, arguing a point I didn't make. I said "no plans to stop _delivery_". You're talking about retail customers ability to send - that hasn't changed for some time. To send, you have to be an account customer (all EMS fall into this category - and that was specifically what I was answering). Parcelforce happily deliver antique swords, and my last delivery was Tuesday. Fully transparently, documented and labelled:

No, that's not really correct. There's lots of restrictions and prohibitions that apply to normal postal mail / "the mail" - that does not apply to Parcelforce. Just read the restricted, but permitted list on Parcelforce's website and you'll get the idea. There's dozens of examples where Parcelforce can handle items that Royal Mail cannot. People shouldn't jump to conclusions - Parcelforce have no stated plans to stop delivery of bladed articles or antiques (as long as they remain legal to possess in the UK):

I don't mind it... Too much. 🙂 The main thing that keeps me awake at night is the thought of the condition getting worse in my care. 🙈 So as long as I'm not missing any crucial care / maintenance requirement, I'm happy enough.

I can't see that happening myself. The Ivory ban is intended to eliminate the demand at source (i.e. no one needs to kill a rhino or elephant). For antiques, by definition, there is no new production. The UK "Samurai Sword Ban" even exempted new swords, when traditionally made - which is very permissive all things considered (and unfortunately, somewhat abused).

You're forgiven - but also arguing a point I didn't make. I simply stated there are many scenarios where you could possess a handgun lawfully, which there are. Licence, rules etc. aside - I never said it was easy (although for antique, obsolete calibre handguns, it certainly is). We don't really need to go into the specifics, I was just illustrating that if there should be a "sword ban" it's extremely unlikely to be all encompassing.

That's a bit of a eureka moment... I knew about the different construction types pictured, but it didn't dawn on me that that was something I might see externally! Good shout!

There's two halves of Section 7, one for collection/ ownership only (for which you're unable to possess ammunition), the other half of the provision allows you to purchase ammo and shoot your handgun. Complex, and restrictive, yes. But a complete ban, no - and that was my point. Because of the headlines, many people believe it's not possible at all - where's in reality, thousands of people in the UK own handguns. For genuine antiques*, you can buy them without a licence. That's the category / treatment I'd expect our hobby to fall under.

Interesting, thanks. I'm still calibrating my expectations with regards to traditionally made antiques. I'm too used to working with billet aluminium and modern steels.

No, not just .22lr you can have a centre fire, semi auto handgun with a heritage (Section 7) licence, or for humane despatch, or personal protection (in NI). Also, muzzle loaded, centre fire hybrids - and well as the long barrel / extension rod "technicalities". Although, yes - anything that you intend to possess to shoot needs to be licenced, with all the background and medical checks that includes.

Bans are never complete - always just a headline grab, but in the details there's loads of caveats. Just like the "handgun ban" - there's still loads of scenarios where you can lawfully acquire a handgun in the UK (revolvers incl. 44 magnums, semi-auto, percussion, flintlock etc.).

So, this comes off the back of the Offensive Weapons Bill 2019. I believe Royal Mail began a consultation at the same time. Primarily, it's because there's an age verification requirement. Knives etc. cannot (legally) be shipped to under 18s. There was talk of Royal Mail introducing a "safe" service to include that?

Thanks, much appreciated. Shinchu zogon - that's literally a brass inlay, right? Would the type of flowers have any particular meaning/ significance? Or is it just as likely to be just an aesthetic choice?

Hi all, So, I know even less about tosogu than I do about blades. I'd like to know about this tsuba. Age / era, relative quality, etc. Any relevant - as at some point, it's a field of collecting I'm interested in. To me, it doesn't appear especially high-end, but obviously there's some effort that's gone into the decorations (plum blossoms I believe).

I've got a wakizashi that passed Tokubetsu Hozon last year, but on the mune there's what looks like a hairline crack, about 2 inches above the nakago. It's not something that was directly mentioned by the seller, how normal is it / how concerned should I be?

I also couldn't find any listings for the Kanji 兼品 So, just possible suggestions, based on alternative Kanji (sharing a radical or visually similar), not looking at the blade: 兼印 Kaneaki - 15th century Seki smith. 兼昭 Kaneaki - 20th century Gifu smith. 兼円 Kanemaru - 15the century Seki (2 generations) 兼昌 Kanemasa - at least two generations 兼命 Kanenaga - multiple possibilities. 兼里 Kanesato - various. 兼知 Kanetomo - various. 兼角 Kanezumi - various. 兼嘉 or 兼賀 Kaneyoshi etc. Not sure it's any of the above, but all are worth looking at how similar their signatures appear, perhaps?

Hi all, looking for an ubu Tanto by Tanba no Kami Fujiwara Terukado. I've never actually seen one, but apparently they exist: https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-2367631 So, if that was your winning auction in 1970, and 50 years later you're bored of it... 😉 More seriously, genuinely interested - prefer papered (TH), but anything considered.

The Samurai Museum Shop, from my experience, doesn't misdescribe anything - but like most businesses, they're not going to find reasons for you not to buy it. They acknowledge the older paper, state that the blade has flaws - and provide good pictures of the condition. Now, their prices are usually at what I'd describe as "retail premium" - but it's a fairly safe place for beginners. The modern / gifts / novelty stock is just volume sales to make the business viable (accompanying the museum etc.). For you (and this specific sword), I'd recommend against it. The fittings you like, won't be from the date of the blade - unless stated explicitly, assume they're modern. I'd also recommend you get a blade with modern, NBTHK Hozon or preferably, Tokubetsu Hozon papers. $16k is a a lot of money, and you'll be able to get something very, very nice in that price range.

Don't feel too bad - even with the showa stamp, the sori still looks massively pronounced in the first picture. Doesn't look normal to me. Is it bent, or just perspective?

I thought that too. Along with the relatively small sakihaba, I'd guess it's a suriage koto blade - not sure beyond that yet.

For Bijutsu Antiques, I can see the tsuka has the issue with the fit (at the kashira). They seem to believe you were trying to squeeze a 40% discount after COVID. I can see they eventually refunded $1300. It isn't clear why this amount is so low (if they sold the sword _and_ had payment from you). You haven't really explained why you didn't take receipt in Japan (and pay at that time too). The company seemed to state they offered to deal with customs etc. for you on departure? The jury is out on Bijutsu Antiques. What is clear, is that you're a difficult person to deal with.