Baba Yaga

Allot of over weight balding white guys, not much has changed. BTW I'm getting there I suggested a 101 class for the novice some decades ago to Mr. Robinson. I think he tried it, don't know if it stuck.

Collectors seem surprised, are you really surprised? I for one am not, more to come. I want to know WHY my higher end "Art Swords" collected decades ago is still worth what I paid? Yes, I can move them fast because of status, but appreciation stinks,

I think the answer to your questions is all the above. The Japanese have lost mush of its culture and cling to the ever changing rules of Nihonto. MMA and Brazilian Jujitsu has proven a superior fighting style over Karate and Kung Fu. Tea is something mixed in a glass and sold at Whole Foods. War time Japanese swords are a tremendous collectable and study. Americanizing Japan has always been on the rise. It's just another brick in the wall.

I got you on that. My "guess" was was more of Muromachi with a later Mei. Pictures are always worth a 1000 questions.

Why is that?

They'll do the research after, because it's a "treasure".

"I've read and heard that in Japan that the culture and the craftsmen are struggling and have heard many of them say that they would hope that more people, in and out of Japan to become more aware, and learn about Nihonto." I don't have a gripe with the skill level, or the 2 year waiting time of restoration, or 30 year restoration devaluation but...

Take it to a Taxidermist in regards to the Fur . I know ebay flags words and the government is on it like glue. I inherited a nice watch and thought it had some kind of stone, turned out to be Bear Claw.

I did a quick search of the USDA web site. I guess my memory was better than I thought. Also from memory Edo comes to mine, but I can't find anything on that. Furs: Most of the world's wild cats, including tigers and such spotted species as jaguar, leopard, ocelot, margay, and leopard cat, are protected. You cannot import skins or items made from, or trimmed with, the fur of these animals. Furs from seals, polar bears, and sea otters are also prohibited. Five regional subpopulations of Ussuri brown bears are now recognized in Hokkaido. Of these, the small size and isolation of the western Ishikari subpopulation has warranted its listing as an endangered species in Japan's Red Data Book.

I did research a long time ago. I don't remember what I came-up with, but I do remember they wouldn't ship tiger tail, or fur into the U.S. Bear may be on that list as well. Don't remember.

Hey Ron, What Country was the seller from?

Japan devaluated it's Yen by 25% so to entice it's export value. I don't think it's working! I agree Japans economy never recovered from the U.S. housing crisis. Sword Restoration in Japan and outside is a double edge sword. If the Restoration price doubles many people will not be able to afford the service. On the other hand the value of Nihonto may raise and people like myself would be monetarily happier. I said "may" and not will. It could go the other way and kill the obscure hobby.

I have no idea how someone with there own business can make a living at $30hr and that's including expenses. My Gardner charges that and all he does is cut my lawn and fix a sprinkler from time to time. It looks like the 2years is the issue and I can empathize with that.

Interesting meji saya! It's not Mother Of Pearl, Mother of Pearl is made from Pearl. Without in hand, I suspect Abalone Shell. The sword is Authentic. Authentic what is the big question. Again without in hand sword appears Shinto and pretty thick.

Didn't someone discover the dreaded Kamikaze Tanto in Hawaii? https://www.alexautographs.com/auction-lot/Japanese-kamikaze-pilots-suicide-knife-and-pilots_B404FD6AA8

Oh, I know a generational Pawn Shop owner. They don't pay anything for anything, that's the business model. The most they've paid for a gun that's worth $3k "wholesale" is $300. They told me "any" sword was worth $25 maybe $50 and that was before all the repro junk started coming on the market. It's even worse with jewelry. When I started, senior collectors warned me about Pawn Shops. Oh but I had a personal relationship with a very large one. That didn't work out so well.

This is some interesting information which for some reason is overlooked. Fred Lohman used to offer a service for Gimei removal and repatina. I always thought Nihonto would be a great market for that service considering the over ABUNDENCE of Gimei. I've seen the mei removed and a small part of the patina left. Looked like poor workmanship to me.

"I'm probably naive, but I find this quite remarkable -- to be able to "age" the nakago so convincingly, and recreate a Muromachi-style signature? Scary." Once in hand a few easy processes can be done. Harsh chemicals are used when "Monkeying" a Nakago. Some try to hide the harsh chemical smell with Choji oil. Some use a blend of shoe polish that's transferable. I wouldn't recommend this procedure! I know of a advanced collector who used to lick Nakago and Tsuba. While this was a sure thing transferable procedures are safe and best done. The first is naivete followed by confusion, anger and depression. Some people just don't want to know and that's OK.

It's not like the 1st time this happen, or the last time. Best to ignore the face of reality and live a happier life. People wonder why the key was invented.

You're absolutely correct BUT - Do you see a pattern in judgement, I do. I've seen this very scenario play out for decades. It's the hand that's always burnt by the flame, rules and consequences.

Ah, the plot thickens. The "treasure hunt" with it vague discerptions based on obscure theory. Vegas wasn't built on winners.

I've seen an Gimei Tsuda Echizen no kami Sukehiro as you expained which was close enough to be an authentic Tsuda Echizen no kami Sukehiro. The question is who signed the blade? Was it a helper? A fellow smith? Should the Nakago be ground down, repatina and submited? The world may never know, but Japan did bring us Gimei and a long time ago.

Chinas population is only 1.5 Billion. We export 80% of our Almonds grown to China. I wish I had payed more attention and got into collecting ancient Chinese Swords back then. I guess the Almonds will have to do.

I knew a Togishi / Sayashi in the SF Bay Area who collected Chinese swords a few decades back. He foreseen the upcoming Chinese collectable sword market. I remember he tried to get me involved, but I thought he was nuts, No, I was the person who was wrong.