Latest addition to my collection.....

[Der Texaner]

Thanks Dean. I couldn't sleep well knowing it wasn't good. lol When it gets here I'll be looking at the thickness and the filaments. I'll try and get some good pictures. The dealer reassures me, and has the record to back it up, a complete refund if I like.

Regards,
Joel

[Der Texaner]

Alright, I have the item in hand. I've spent the last 30 minutes concentrating solely on the sleeve shield and sakura, flash light and loop in hand. I'll state what I found. I can see why the picture caused some thought for concern. First, how the shield is sewn on.

The shield is sewn on at all corners including a stitch at the 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions. The setting of the sakura is indeed brass. The enamel is a nice quality, closest thing I have knowledge that I can compare it to is having the look of turquoise. The stems on the sakura are RAISED out of the enamel, as is the brass setting around the enamel. The stems are not set into the enamal. Due to how she shield is sewn on, I can lift the shield to see underneath that the prongs are thick, wide and long. Nothing like the reproduction Dean kindly showed us. Also, this sakura is at least as thick as Dean's original he presented. A consistant thickness. When moving the sakura underneath light, the enamel gives off different "shading", or I guess, " iridescence" as Dean said it should. It can look darker or lighter, depending on how you hold it. That cannot be seen in one photo and in the photo it looks "washed out" as compared to in hand. It does not have the appearance of a cheaply made piece n my opinion.

There are indications of at least one earlier sleeve shield having been sewn on. This doesn't surprise me since my interpreter of the jumper's tags, who is very knowledgeable on these matters in general, said sailor's didn't own these, they were turned in and re-issued. Hisashi said this one was a re-issue. The dealer already said it passed the black-light test. I'm still going to do it, but at this point, I'm going to sleep well and hang on to this piece.

This all has been very educational for me. For those of you who still have doubts or questions, that is perfectly fine with me, and I appreciate your continued input and opinions. The sakura met all of all the requirements Dean listed as to being original. That leaves the color that worried Dean and Jareth. As I said, in the image posted, its awfully washed out, and the color changes depending on how the light is reflecting off of it.

I'm not looking to change any minds, and I'm not saying anyone is wrong. Just pointing out the facts I found when going down Dean's great presentation and "check list". I also think a marker for spotting reproduction sakuras should be the bunching of the stem bottoms. On Dean's reproduction, they don't touch, on the real ones they do, including mine whether you think its real or not.

In all honesty, I was already 95% sure I'd be sending it back before having it in hand after hearing the concerns and opinions of our informed forum members. I was playing devil's advocate when looking at the sakura in hand, and not looking for the answers I wanted, for what its worth. I much wiser thanks to Dean and Jareth. Knowledge is power and peace of mind in this hobby of ours. Thank you all.

Regards,
Joel

[Jareth]

Does the name on the collar label match label name on jumper?

[Der Texaner]

Yes, the only tag not named is the one for the tie, even though it is the same issuing tag.

[Der Texaner]

I was wrong about that Jareth, the tie does, the collor doesn't.

[Jareth]

You've confused me. So that means all three pieces dont match & are a possible put together if I understand you correctly? Better in my opinion if name on collar & jumper match.

[Der Texaner]

Remember the dealer told me he black-lighted everything? I just did it myself, and the stitching on the collar as well as the tag on the collar glow like the northern lights, so all this was pretty much for ****. I was mistaken, as I told you, the collar "flap" has a tag but is not named. And its fake. Someone took the time to write in the issuing base to match the jumper's tag. The tag on the tie is 100% original. Is it matched to the jumper? Doesn't matter to me at this point. If the collar is fake, nothing else matters to me and I contacted the dealer asking how I proceed for a full refund. The white line around collar glows bright along with the stitching of the collar. And as I said, the tag and the tag's stitching all glow bright too. The writing does not. Lesson of the day...........black light everything even if a dealer with spotless feedback tells you they black-light all their inventory. FWIW everything else checked out fine.

Joel

[Der Texaner]

Put on your sunglasses....

[Der Texaner]

The other tags do not glow whatsoever. Mass produced fake tag? I'm hanging on to the photos for future reference. Oh well, this means I can buy something else. I sure hope it doesn't turn out as educational as this has been.

[NLF]

You know if the was washed it would glow also.

[Jareth]

depends what it was washed with. Post a close up pic of tag

[Der Texaner]

I've already got it packed up have it ready to go back or else I would. I'm going to take my time and buy the right piece, not the first piece that comes along of an item or set on my want list. And NOT that cap I PM'd you about Jareth. lol I'm going to try and stick to provenanced items. GOOD provenance. Seems to be safer to buy cloth and most stuff from inside of the U.S rather than Japan at this point. Unless its photos or paper lots. Some great stuff is showing up like that picture of the sailor and saki cup from the IJN heavy cruiser Suyuza that I think I stole.

The collar might have been washed, but at this point, I'm remembering everything I learned and just shipping it back. Wiser and not out any money. I'm not like the guys who collect SS material. Unless I'm 110% sure its all good, I don't want it near my collection. Thank you all so much for the valuable input and education.

Joel

P.S. The eBay dealer I got this group from (waterbobby2) I do not fault at all and would recommend him if he has something you want. 3000 + transactions and no negatives. He is a real stand up guy. Says he goes on buying trips to Japan and will look for items on my want list.