My habaki

[ancientnoob]

By now most of you have seen my one sword and most have given opinions...

 

I continue to read everything I can about nihonto and nihonto related items. I started closely looking at the fittings on my very humble sword and determined that the sword is not big on frills, and in the great scheme of nihonto is not very decorative, although I was quite impressed with the sword collar, the habaki. Under close examination it is a sword piece copper assembly which I found out is called "Niju." I was wondering if anyone can tell me anything more about the habaki, it does not appear to be signed, dated and or fancy in any regard. There does appear to be some vertical scratches on the larger or the two pieces. Is there anyway to determine of what period it is from. It really is an interesting looking piece, when you look at all the small metal work that has been in the assembly process. Thanks for taking a look all.

[Brian]

Nathan,

It is a fairly standard and generic 2 piece habaki. No way to really tell what age, and not usually researched either.

These 2 piece habaki are usually a sign of a slightly better sword or someone who was willing to spend more money on the mounts. Nice to have, but not really a biggie in the grand scheme of things. Always nice to have one though.

Enjoy.

 

Brian

[ancientnoob]

Brian,

Thanks for the response. It's a pleasure to know that at some point a longtime ago someone the sword was worthy of the "sport package."

[Stephen]

you could have the larger one sliver plated and the small black pantied for a nice look

[Brian]

What's that about small black panties?

 

Brian

[Stephen]

LOL me and my typing...LOL

[Teimei]

What's that about small black panties?

 

Brian

 

 

 

It would look like this.

[ancientnoob]

you could have the larger one sliver plated and the small black pantied for a nice look

Agreed but what is the understanding from the collector community? Are things left better in their original configuration or altered to give a more appealing appearance? Should something be remounted in fancy furniture or kept as close to original as possible? Everything on this sword is iron with the exception of the hilt ornaments which appear to be copper / gold alloy covered in a purple-black application.

[Teimei]

you could have the larger one sliver plated and the small black pantied for a nice look

Agreed but what is the understanding from the collector community? Are things left better in their original configuration or altered to give a more appealing appearance? Should something be remounted in fancy furniture or kept as close to original as possible? Everything on this sword is iron with the exception of the hilt ornaments which appear to be copper / gold alloy covered in a purple-black application.

 

Nathan,

 

if something has an artistical, historical value or personal value, you should leave it like it is. Of course, you could alter the existing habaki or you could order a new one from a professional maker. But is it really necessary to spend quite an amount of money?

I don´t think so. The habaki is functional and it fits the koshirae (imho :D ).

 

 

 

Best Regards,

[Curran]

It is a Mino/Owari style habaki.

 

I'm not going to go digging through the books and scan one in, so just take my word for it.

There is an Owari-Yagyu book that has a few of these, and it might be represented in one of the Yoshihara-Kapp books. I sold the Owari book and think my copy of Kapp is in storage.

Not sure what other books would back up what I say.

 

What is the sword and/or koshirae that goes with it? PM me if you need to do so.

 

Not much to tell you other than it is a particular region style and that I like it. Partial to these myself, and have one on one of my two swords.

It does not have any special value, but is something that should definitely be preserved as a study piece in and of itself.

[ancientnoob]

It is a Mino/Owari style habaki.

 

I'm not going to go digging through the books and scan one in, so just take my word for it.

 

Not a problem.

 

 

What is the sword and/or koshirae that goes with it?

 

Funny you ask, I am on a quest to find that out. The "koto" sword is suspected to be a muromachi uchi-gatana/ katate-uchi or wakizashi (edo term?) viewtopic.php?f=9&t=18614&p=170347&hilit=kamakura+kodachi#p170347

 

Not much to tell you other than it is a particular region style and that I like it. Partial to these myself, and have one on one of my two swords.

It does not have any special value, but is something that should definitely be preserved as a study piece in and of itself.

 

I like it too. Thank you so much for the clue and the help!