KungFooey

By the way guys, if you're wondering why every single one of my comments is getting a down vote now, it's because of @Dan tsuba being super pathetic. 🙄 I pointed out that the book he self published on Amazon (which may or may not contain references to this board, thread content or contributors - we'll never know because no-one has actually bought a copy🤣) had been reviewed by himself under a false name. (He gave himself a five star review, no less!) Now downvoting me is his Dr. Evil Lite masterplan for revenge - "Bwahahahahaha!"

Hey Dale! Always love your contributions! Yeah, I still think it's a messy, untidy tsuba maker with a dirty anvil! 😂 (Didn't have a wife obviously!) Thanks! Dee

Hi Jean! I also greatly respect your opinion and that may well be a very plausible explanation! Should get in hand in the next week. 🙏 Thank you! Dee

Hey Colin! Thanks for the vote of confidence on the age - your musings are most welcome! Dee

Hi John, The seller only gave the dimensions, said it had a "good tone" and mentioned the Amida rays - nothing very helpful. 😥 But many thanks for your comments! Dee

Ouch! Touched a nerve, didn't I? I'm pretty sure news stories about Kim Jong Un's nonsensical ranting total way over "30.8 thousand views" - doesn't actually mean anyone agrees with him. 😉 Merry Christmas Dan.

Aha - maybe time to come clean. Dan, you asked how I knew which car you drove. Nothing 'cloak n' dagger', I promise - I just looked up your book on Amazon (shown above by Sam) and spotted the following. You've self-published two books on two pretty obscure subjects - nothing wrong with that. But then you've given them both identically worded 5 star reviews under the name 'Paul'. (The only reviews either book has gotten.) 'Paul' also gave reviews to accessories for a Jeep Gladiator Overland - the car you said you own. Bingo. Sorry to do a "Murder She Wrote" style Jessica Fletcher reveal but this whole thread has become an obsession leading nowhere fast. I'm honestly not trying to rub your nose in it but, if you have to give fake reviews to your own book under a fake name, you can't really be very confident about your own theory or argument, can you? Dee

What happened to the blade?! 😳

Hi Dale! I think those are the type that have a leather collar or seppa with a strap and popper. It goes through the hitsu and then snaps on the leather combat cover. (Maybe?) Dee

"Anyway, the seller hasn’t shipped it to me yet from Japan." I think he's having to superglue it back together first. 😉 (Sorry - my bad!)

Hi Dan, You just don't seem to get it that a real big part of the attraction of a hand forged piece of ironwork IS the flaws - the visual evidence of the artist's sweat and labor. Creativity and artistry born out of iron, fire and anvil. Why do you think nobody collects wrought iron railings? I do respect your interest in this field but it honestly feels like you're trying to ram it down everyone else's throats. Just sayin' Dee

It's ok Sam - you can call it out in English, rather than pussyfoot around. Many here can't read Japanese and they also deserve to be warned if something's shady. Dee

The writing on the saya looks really fresh for Kanzan Sato as he died in 1978. Dee

Hi Hamish, Maybe a nail varnish remover would take it off gently? If I can use it without melting my hands, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't remove patina or even rust. You need to get it off one way or another or it will promote the spread of any rust already under the varnish. Good luck!!! Dee

とても面白い剣ですね！

Hey Dale!!! I was hoping you'd chime in! Yeah, those 'drops' of brass or copper are weird - almost like they were on the anvil as the maker was beating the hot steel and got stuck on the surface. In the seller's photos I thought they were blobs of rust. Your theory is a real possibility. Thanks as always! Dee

Hi John, The thing I most respect is honesty - so thank you! The fact your comment got two 'likes' shows two folks agreed with you but were maybe scared of offending me. I say "Let it rip guys!" I'm not some 'delicate flower' looking for flattery - quite the opposite in fact! 😂 If I mess up (like the cast tsuba), I immediately admit it, laugh about it, hopefully learn from it and move on. If I believe I've made a good choice, based on research and logic (like the Akao Yoshitsugu), I'll fight my ground and, if necessary, use the NBTHK as a last resort. This one? I just like it whatever it is. It's made from a non-homogenous forged plate with very delicate, linear engraving and well shaped mimi. And I think the cutting of the two holes looks just fine. But thanks again!!! Dee

Thank you Sam! I truly hope it's as nice as we both think it is but I also respect John's comments below. I'll show you more when I get it in hand. 😊 Dee

Thanks for all the input guys! I feel really bad now. No good deed goes unpunished, eh? 🙄 Dee

No problems, my friend! Now firmly in my sights. 👍 Dee

I'm changing this post based on all the comments it has garnered from the military experts below. I originally put it up in good faith although gunto (and swords in general) are not my thing. However, I sure don't want to be responsible for anyone being fleeced out of two grand - especially at Christmas! So instead of asking the admins to take the thread down, I'll leave it here like this as a warning. Sorry guys!!! Dee https://page.auction.../auction/h1042502132

I'm CIA, Tsuba Division 😉

Hey Dan, With all these hundreds of tsuba you buy, no wonder you need a Jeep Gladiator Overland to carry them! 😉

Hi John! There's absolutely no need for the family to get shinsa papers in order to keep grandpa's sword - all they need is the torokusho. Then everything is legal. A hozon certificate is just icing on the cake for grandpa's family when they want to sell it along with all his medals. 😥

Actually, Showato do paper.