A mysterious Transylvanian sword : a Sino-Japanese influence possible ?

[Mick]

fearn

As someone who has spent 15 years in the Antarctic, I can guarantee that there are no dandelions at McMudo unless they someone is growing them in the hydroponics shack.

[fearn]

Originally Posted by Mick

fearn

As someone who has spent 15 years in the Antarctic, I can guarantee that there are no dandelions at McMudo unless they someone is growing them in the hydroponics shack.

Hi Mick,

Cool!

You're probably right, although if they're growing lettuce in a greenhouse, they've got a sunflower relative growing on Antarctica. Yes, I know that the Antarctic native flora consists of two species (a grass and a carnation relative). I also know that some weeds have got a bare toehold around some of the bigger stations like McMurdo. There aren't any google references to dandelions at McMurdo, which I find comforting.

Anyway, this is OT. The basic point was that the flowers can't be used to identify the origin of the sword, and that I'm sticking by. Personally, I agree with the people who are thinking European enamel work, but that's just my minimally informed guess.

Frank

[tom hyle]

And the hamon on a Japanese sword usually goes into the habiki, though the edge bit on a pinch-welded one I know stops considerably short of the blade base, much as is seen on some Oceanic SE Asian work. However, I think I do see folding grain to the steel; this is not neccessarily a sign of Japaneseness or anything; it's what you see in Europe at the time. It's possible a Japanese sword (blade) was given an European polish; I just don't see any real sign of it.