Dereks

If he is a knowledgeable person, then he wasn't honest.

I'm not an expert but doesn't look 18th century for sure. Return it if you can.

Is this the same one that was sold on Proantic by Patrice Sabbah?

Do you think everyone is flying to Japan to check the swords before ordering from AOI?

There is no photographic evidence, only a photograph. We just have different perspectives because of our different levels of experience and knowledge.

Here we go again... @Dan tsuba There is nothing that indicates this is a cast..

Did you try google first?

The most suitable one in this situation is: It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man by argument. by William McAdoo @Brian This thread doesn't do anyone any good...People will keep on feeding him and It will just go on and on..Just a waste of time...

Again, it's just sad...

It is just sad.

Yes!

There were different ways to forge a tsuba. Some of them have 2-3 layers, with the upper crust being the top layer. Some not folded. Some inlays are applied on a heated plate so it affects upper layer as well. Two of the tsuba with missing zogan are applied to a prepared area. The other one, with the missing shi shi, is completely different.

That further corroded area, that layer, is the same one on your first tsuba! That is the answer to your question. Here, I'll put X on them now. It is not molten iron. Just the upper crust flaked off!

I don't need to think, I can see. Your question was already answered on the first comment but I don't understand why you can't accept it. Working on a new book maybe? Best.

Dan, See the circled area, that is the exact layer with your first tsuba. On this example, it is corroded nicely, so you don't see the shiny metal.