Tohagi

The sayashi (koshirae maker) will advise you on appropriated tosogu for your sword. I made many mistakes in my young time... Best, Éric

It's possible, you can have a koshirae made with decent parts for around 1000USD. In my experience you will not save money trying to do it yourself and you risk catastrophic funballs. There is a lot to check before buying pecies and the size of the fuchi ana is not the must relevant. If i may dare an advise, study a lot before buying something, there is a lot to consider. If you just whant a Frankestein customized sword for tameshigiri...please don't take a gendaito. Best regards, Éric

I love oeï Mihara Masaïe... Maybe people learn to love what they understand? Very hard positions here sometimes. Best, Éric

Hello Léon, On the chu-mihara subject, could you post a picture of the other side of the boshi (omote), sometimes kaeri is not symetrical, of course a "tiger tail" kaeri could also fit. No kaeri at all would be probably an issue. Best regards, Éric

Hello Leon, I see why you are pointing on middle mihara work on the first wakisashi. Strong Yamato den influence, very classical work. I have a doubt because some caracteristics are not seen on the pictures: the first is "water fall drop" Kaeri, quite long and straight. Maybe the picture is not clear enought, but this is a major point on ko and chu mihara (last mihara masaïe loose a little these standard). The rest is alternative chikeï and sumitetsu (difficult to say here), and nakago edges (should be not rounded but I'm not so sure of this one). Please don't take it as "True gold", it could really goes mihara at a shinsa, and it still is a very nice work. Best, Eric

With these samples we can't appreciate sugata for example. Funbari and sori are important in Bizen osafune... Best, Éric

Hi Léon, Chu-mihara is in my interest range. Happy to share if you have pictures. Best, Éric

Hello, I had the same kind of koshirae on a shinto satsuma sword: tsuka made of wraped lacquered string or sometimes wale phalenum, saya tachi style covered with leather with urushi... Looks legits parts to me except tsuba. Maybe end of shinto ... Best regards... Éric

I suppose the scale is in inches, not cm? Best Éric

Very nice and informative topic on a very specific point. My two cents: if we admit the reshape kissaki theory, we must consider that it would need a new temper (wich will not be an issue in war times)... And we should find some examples showing signs of retempering as "water shadow" ... isn't it? Best regards, Éric

Togishi choji oil... but it's expensive. I often cut myself and choji is perfect to cicatrice...

Fantastic experience ! Thank you for sharing ! That blade was yours'? Best regards, Éric VD

Sorry byrddawg, I must agree with PNSSHOGUN. 10 year ago chinese copies looked liked that, they improved since...

I really do care...but have no clue how to solve this issue. Must of the time you pay 20% ( instead of 5% on antiques) online and double pay 20% plus fees to get custom process done by chronopost, FedEx or DHL. I wrote letters, waste time with SAV and online reclamation... no way to get my money back! Whish I live in SA and get a gun.. Cheers, Éric VD

...same issue, many times and no solution founded yet. This is a real pain in the a.... Good luck! Éric VD