Mikaveli

Ok, thanks - that was broadly my thinking too. Tired blade, polished until the core comes through.

What are these dark patches between the hamon and ridge line?

Ok, that's good - that's a starting point around what I had in mind.

So, on my internet travels I've found: http://asanokajiya.com/en I notice his kitchen knives have been discussed here. I wondered what the cost of a katana from him is (either direct or on the used market, if any are available). I'd assume they're expensive and with a waiting list - but if anyone has any knowledge I'd be interested to hear it.

Can't read the era, but it's 18th year of... Presumably showa period (1943)?

Seki arsenal stamp, smith is Kaneyoshi? Not certain - but I'll get my guess in before the experts arrive ☺️

Ha ha, well, I'll take the word of Markus Sesko over Wikipedia any day... For example, on the Wakizashi page it states 1638 (citing the Connoisseurs Book of Japanese swords) as the time when social groups were restricted in what swords they can wear: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wakizashi I'm assuming 1683 is a typo of 1638, and that 1638 was when non-samurai were prohibited from wearing daisho. The Wikipedia page you linked to cites no references, so without a more primary source, this seems most likely. In 1668, the muto-rei, that's when the length of the wakizashi was restricted to that of ko-wakizashi. Before that, non-samurai could wear o-wakizashi (if I'm interpreting it correctly).

Slightly off topic, but in another topic the standards around TH was being discussed. I'd already guessed that the standard varied by smith. I.e. it's more a "how important is this for preservation" rather than a strict, uniform standard of condition. The quoted text from Darcy Brockbank confirms this. ...and it's definitely something important to understand. Many new collectors (including myself initially) think of TH as a very high standard of condition - when in reality it can be relative (age, smith etc.).

Definitely looks reshaped to me. The hamon touching/disappearing off the edge is certainly a no-no for most collectors, sadly.

I'm not sure about all the sword laws, but according to Sesko, it wasn't until 1668 when the Tokugawa-bakufu issued the muto-rei, restricting non-samurai to (ko)wakizashi. So until then, merchants could have fairly long swords.

Could it be 七九 (79)? If it is メ九 ("mekyuu") this is basically equivalent to "M9" in English - just an alphanumeric code, I would have thought.

Interesting to hear, thanks. I'll pay more attention the next time I'm looking at it. 🙂

Do they ever do the inlay in a black / dark plastic? I've got a shirasaya with that inlay - and the same material where it closes together. Never crossed my mind it could be horn.

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.