Matsunoki

Ron, that looks horrible. Personally I would walk away whether it’s on the other side or not.

I vote for this as the most entertaining thread for quite a while, even better than the one about cast ts…..🙂

It gets better and better. I haven’t smiled so much for this long in a while. PLEASE do tell us what the NBTHK say….we are holding our breath!

This thread is better than anything on the telly at the moment. Definitely a troll. As far as I know there wasn’t a Japanese Emperor Fujiwara.

I think we have a troll….. It takes a few seconds to look at Oxford Archaeology and realise they are archaeologists ie they dig holes in the ground and research/appraise historic sites and buildings. They don’t issue these appraisal certificates. It’s as fake as the “sword”.

If you do not believe what you have been told then contact the NBTHK in Japan. The leading authority on Japanese Sword authentication. Send them some images…..they will enjoy a good laugh. This is utter nonsense and an elaborate fake.

I was about to really let rip…..but decided a glass of wine was a better idea. Talk about a government in total utter chaos. Glug, cheers!

Living here is getting (even more) embarrassing.

Is the book available Piers

I love stories like this. The thrill of the chase. Good luck Lewis, hope it comes good.

Can Torokusho be faked?….maybe for the purpose of selling it? Again just a genuine question because it’s a subject I know nothing about. I’d have bet (very) heavily on it being “wrong”!

I’m not trying to be smart, this is a genuine question……does it being in Japan with a Torokushi prove its not a fake?

The theme is a Japanese “version” of the classic Chinese subject of scholars/immortals etc gazing at a wonderful often mountainous landscape. Various interpretations linked to a yearning for immortality, wonder at the beauty of nature, desire for man and nature to live in harmony…..that sort of thing. A waterfall is often included (but not here) They can often be accompanied by a young male attendant (as here) …….presumably carrying their wine and packed lunch🙂

Anyone else wonder if those fancy hitsu are later “enlargements”. They do seem to cut into the design somewhat?

Are there any statistical records of the metalurgical constituents of iron tsuba from different periods?

I have read the original post a few times now and I cannot see where Colin has had a question about it’s iron makeup. Colin was rightly confident that it was genuine and this has been confirmed by several members. Why on earth would he want to subject it to any tests? What are you expecting such tests to reveal?

Mismatched fittings, saya and ito look brand new. Nakago looks wrong, habaki looks hammered. What type of hamon?…..my guess a Chinese hamon on a fake blade in a made up Koshirae all designed to fool. imo

The shiny one may well have a wax coating or sometimes oil is used. It’s nothing to worry about and I’d leave it alone. Sometimes you can do more harm than good trying to clean things. Both tsuba have what looks like nunome zogan work on the rims and that is easily damaged so again, leave them alone. The shine may fade with time. Keep them dry and check for fresh rust every now and then As background reading just put “basket weave tsuba” into the search box on this forum, click on “everywhere” and I’m sure you’ll find lots to think about and compare to.

Spot on Jeff. Why punish the guilty few when you punish the many innocents. Send a few of the smugglers to jail for a good stretch and that might just deter a few.…..or prosecute the local “officials” who are in on the illegal exports. It’s riddled with corruption. Never mind, let’s be seen to do something even if it is unworkable. Arghhhhhh, makes me so mad.

Justyn, I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I wish you well in your dispute with the Auctioneers. If it would help in any way you can use anything I have said…you can quote me exactly and I am happy to email them directly if it will help. Good luck.

21st September and 7th December.

Thanks Desmond. I have mentioned this legislation a couple of times on the Forum but I think it is largely going un-noticed and there are going to be many EU collectors with serious trouble on their hands. Swords stuck all over the world but especially in Japan whether with Japanese dealers or for Shinsa. It is bureaucracy gone totally mad. I’m exactly the opposite!…for better or worse! My days dealing in Japanese Art taught me not to hesitate. “The time to buy something good is when you see it” was the advice I was given very early on. When that approach does backfire on you simply sell it, forget it and go buy something else! I remember several instances when I’ve been standing behind someone at a show or a fair. He has picked up something really nice and is pontificating and trying to talk it down. I’m praying “please just put it down and go think about it”….and the utter joy when he puts it down and says he’ll be back in a few minutes…..and the look of horror when I pick it up and say “sold”. It’s dog eat dog out there! Who dares wins (most of the time🙂) I once had a fight break out on my stand at a large show caused by just such an event. Anyway what’s that got to do with anything…..🙂, sorry.

Smart move Lewis. We should never have left the EU…..we were conned into voting that way. I hope we rejoin one day one way or another.

Birmingham Arms Fair Alex…….full of lovely stuff! I’ve got 5 swords left🙂🙂 and a few guns. Shame about the matchlock….☹️

Trouble is we are not part of EU now so bringing anything in using any method attracts customs duties even from Europe …..that then brings into question having to prove the age etc. Antique is 5% but otherwise it’s 20%…..and in my experience they apply 20% and it’s up to you to prove otherwise. Also if you risk it by not declaring it and get caught it’s probably bye bye sword. Alex is right re his views on this country…..so disappointing and depressing.