He told me he had to remove the rice paper from it....now I've got to do that on one occasion....I stated that the paper on mine left some residue that I've yet determined how to polish out....he was noticeably confused as to what I was talking about....So.... I'm not sure. He did state that he bought it from a former employer. I'll defer to your judgement as it's condition is beyond anything I've seen. I'm more of a bottom feeder.... I not seen too many signs of this age in this condition. Can you share what leads you to believe it's fake? Learning here. Thanks