Judging swords from pictures

[Cola]

Hello all,

 

I'm casually looking around to expand my collection, not in a hurry to buy but if there's a good deal somewhere I don't want to miss it.

Being located in the Netherlands I think it's going to be difficult to see a real nihonto live before buying it, unless I go on a holiday to Japan again.

So I'm mostly looking online, for example the tozando shop and catawiki. They often give lots of pictures, but it's sometimes hard to tell what is a big "no go" and what is an artefact of the picture.

For example right now on catawiki there's a sword with this pic:

 

 

I'm talking about the dark line on the hamon. I've never seen it mentioned anywhere in discussions about flaws. 

 

Also would you recommend buying from an online source (such as catawiki) based off of pictures and an NHBTK certificate?

Or is that considered asking for trouble?

 

 

 

 

[Jon]

I would ask for more pictures of that fault, it could be a ware, but you need some better pictures of that fault

[Jon]

1 hour ago, Cola said:

catawiki

It’s also worth noting that catawiki is generally return if dissatisfied and there are some sellers on there from the Netherlands. Catawiki keeps your money until 3 days after delivery…so as long as you confirm it’s the sellers policy to take returns and your not attempting a return across a customs boarder ( it’s a faf)  you can just buy, get it in hand…take a day or two really look at it and If  it’s not giving  you pleasure in hand send it back….( more than anything your test should be “when it’s in my hand and I’m looking at the sword does it fill my soul with joy and speak to me..yes keep…no return).

[Cola]

21 hours ago, Jon said:

It’s also worth noting that catawiki is generally return if dissatisfied and there are some sellers on there from the Netherlands. Catawiki keeps your money until 3 days after delivery…so as long as you confirm it’s the sellers policy to take returns and your not attempting a return across a customs boarder ( it’s a faf)  you can just buy, get it in hand…take a day or two really look at it and If  it’s not giving  you pleasure in hand send it back….( more than anything your test should be “when it’s in my hand and I’m looking at the sword does it fill my soul with joy and speak to me..yes keep…no return).

 

Thanks for clarifying, I noticed that there's a lot going on at catawiki, so will definitely keep an eye out for nice finds. 

Returning to sender is really something I only want to do as a very last resort.

Anyway, I got a wakizashi in shirasaya mountings from a Japanese seller for a very nice price (400 euros), let's see how that goes. I think I'm going to make a project out of getting it some period appropriate fittings. 

[ROKUJURO]

Cola,

It is proably not a fault but a 'contact' effect with the SAYA. In other light, it might appear as a reflective streak. Check that out with more photos.

[PietroParis]

On 9/30/2023 at 9:20 AM, Jon said:

I would ask for more pictures of that fault, it could be a ware, but you need some better pictures of that fault

 

I often wanted to contact the sellers on Catawiki but haven't found the way. Do you know how to do it?

[Ford Hallam]

Hello C

 

In case you're unaware of your local Token society it might be beneficial to get in touch.

http://www.to-ken.nl/

[2devnul]

On 9/30/2023 at 8:22 AM, Cola said:

I'm talking about the dark line on the hamon. I've never seen it mentioned anywhere in discussions about flaws. 

 

Also would you recommend buying from an online source (such as catawiki) based off of pictures and an NHBTK certificate?

Or is that considered asking for trouble?

 

For me this looks like a scratch made by Saya. I was unlucky myself to do that to nicely polished sword with new Koshirae-Saya (problem noticed when sword was moved from Shirasaya-saya to Koshirae-saya). Not a flaw. 

 

Buying online without seeing a sword is always a risk. If you can return the blade without any consequences (except for some return costs I guess) then it is a less risk. 

[Cola]

9 hours ago, 2devnul said:

 

For me this looks like a scratch made by Saya. I was unlucky myself to do that to nicely polished sword with new Koshirae-Saya (problem noticed when sword was moved from Shirasaya-saya to Koshirae-saya). Not a flaw. 

 

Buying online without seeing a sword is always a risk. If you can return the blade without any consequences (except for some return costs I guess) then it is a less risk. 

 

I may be wrong, but I think sending a sword to Japan may be difficult with permits and such.

Anyways, there's a lot of them out there, so when in doubt it's a no for me. 

 

Also out of curiosity: Where did you go to have new Koshirae made?

[2devnul]

13 hours ago, Cola said:

Also out of curiosity: Where did you go to have new Koshirae made?

 

Hi, 

 

I'm ordering Koshirae from Polish craftsman Arek Kułtucki (I can put you in contact with him if needed). He already made 4 Koshirae for me (attaching pictures). He uses only original components (importing from Japan Tsuka-ito, Samegawa, buffalo horn or magnolia wood). You can use your own fittings or buy (he has a nice collection) some from him. He occasionally also produces Tsuba. IMHO he's work is very good and price competitive. 

 

I will be ordering Koshirae from him for this sword and share outcome when it's done:

https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/46322-echizen-seki-please-comment/

 

Some examples of Arek's work:

 

[NewB]

Looking at a Japanese blade is like looking at a diamond. 

 

Y.

[Cola]

10 hours ago, 2devnul said:

 

Hi, 

 

I'm ordering Koshirae from Polish craftsman Arek Kułtucki (I can put you in contact with him if needed). He already made 4 Koshirae for me (attaching pictures). He uses only original components (importing from Japan Tsuka-ito, Samegawa, buffalo horn or magnolia wood). You can use your own fittings or buy (he has a nice collection) some from him. He occasionally also produces Tsuba. IMHO he's work is very good and price competitive. 

 

I will be ordering Koshirae from him for this sword and share outcome when it's done:

https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/46322-echizen-seki-please-comment/

 

Some examples of Arek's work:

 

 

That indeed looks very nice! It'll be a few months before the sword gets here, but I will definitely be in touch when I have gathered what I need!