I must concur with these folks observations. I've studied and collected
Japanese swords for nearly 30 years and have had the chance to study
and learn from many of the most knowledge folks in the field. Even the
Japanese experts will at times disagree as to the age, maker or school
of a sword. Lord knows I've made more than my share of screwups.
The entry of the Chinese fakers (some of which are EXTREMELY good)
complicates matters even more. I must get and see a dozen messages
a week from "newbies" (no offense intended in that term) who have
been taken and bought "genuine antique Japanese swords" that were
just plain Chinese fakes. What really hurts is that the fakers not only
defraud and injure the buyer, but the whole collecting community as
well. Many times a newbie, once burned, will never look at another
katana. Thus a potential collector, student of the sword, is lost forever.
I'm sure it's the same with most all fields of antiques.
All one can do is study, see as many good examples as possible and
listen to that little voice in the back of your head. When it says
too good to be true - it is.
Rich S
The Japanese Sword Index
http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/nihonto.htm