Alex A

Hello, Reminds me of a sword i own with the Masame above the ridge. That can be one of a line of three smiths that worked around 1600 Without distinguishing features very difficult , especially from images. Sometimes you just got to accept that. If the folks that papered it had trouble narrowing it down, i understand why. Its a good sword, like it

Hi Alexi. Good question. Others that have studied Masame hada more will be better prepared to answer your question. Though as always expect different answers from different folks that appreciate different aspects. Poor for me means flaws and open grain, seen in mass produced blades in the late Muromachi, for example. A few amateur bonsai enthusiasts here though that enjoy the hobby. Maybe one day you could show us your exhibition trees in the members area below.

Lot of stuff to carry into the show John. Have you been in training specially for it?

Just to mention, had some further discussion with the dealer. He mentions the BEST swords by Inoue Shinkai a few times. Get the impression he likes those a lot.

Very Nice!

Over the last few weeks I've had nothing but spinning on every website, done my head in Suddenly sorted after an update to laptop.

Ok Alexander, i will leave it with the fact not much info available etc Your call, Cheers

Actually, found another Kunimori for Uda. (need better glasses) 1394 to 1428 Not much information available. This would be the better smith, i assume.

Hi Alexander That was my point, don't think I've ever come across an Uda sword by a swordsmith that was not on that page. As said obscure, very rare. The good thing about such an unknown mei, it is less likely to be fake. Saying that though, don't see enough information to work out whether its fake or not, hope its not expensive. If the only information you have on this sword is what is present here, then don't buy it. At the beginning of the thread you mention some substantial amounts of money, would dread to think you would spend that kind of money on this sword. As said, try and find a sword with Hozen. If there is nothing around of real interest then don't just buy something to fulfil the urge, something will come along eventually. Learn a bit, appreciate it. Wish i could help more. Perhaps someone else can. Ps, buying swords from bad images is RISKY.

Aye. Even the first page of wood carvings. My first thought is, genuine? Quickly read the description and didn't see anything about carbon dating or any provenance, maybe i missed it. Do folks actually pay that kind of money, wow.

For anyone interested. Woke up this morning and was quite surprised to see a reply from the Japanese dealer that i put this question to. As the old saying goes, if you don't ask, you don't get. Over the years he has seen an astonishing amount of top notch swords and has had the time to study them, hence my curiosity. Anyways, he mentions the various traditions and the fact that he has seen countless blades that have left him in awe and goes on to talk about folks personal preferences and how ones taste can vary widely. A good example of this would be the Shinsakuto competition where the "flavour of the month" factor may come into the equation. Even after him seeing all those wonderful blades in hand, he replies......................... "Therefore, I do not believe it is possible to definitively declare one sword as the best. I think that by nurturing affection for a particular sword, regardless of its flaws or imperfections, one can find happiness in preserving it." He mentions that he does not collect swords but owns a tanto that is very special to him, he intends to pass it on one day. If you guys are thinking it must be a big name then you couldn't be further from the truth. He states the hamon as "exquisite", but the blade is worn and not worth much. The importance of the blade is that it holds the most memories. I'm sure most of us will get that, hopefully enlightening to some. He is a real gent to take the time to reply,

The "katate" , think of it as a foot soldiers side arm, Ashigaru. Not their main weapon, that would be Polearm etc Tachi still carried by Samurai. Samurai even carried many other types of weapon. I see your confusion, stuff overlapped. It was not a case of all folks calling each other and organising a mass sword swap for the new thang.

About the "Katate" Quick explanation. Changes in the Shape of the Japanese Sword | Japan Forward (Japan-forward.com) Going over old ground here, plenty available with searches.

Not getting into that debate, that got sorted out in the link i provided. If you prefer "single handed", im ok with that too. Either way is good for me.

You can interpret the OP question in different ways. I did not see the question aimed at personal taste or functionality Just getting the best from any given smith and avoiding potential wear issues with older swords. Not saying you wont find perfect older swords by the way, just different ways to find a perfect sword.

Jacques is referring to Katate-uchgatana Length varied a lot, see measurements added by Jussi. https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/18788-koto-ubu-tachi-and-katate-uchi-in-shinto-times/ Ps, Often fitted with Ko-Tosho/Katchushi tsuba, a rough idea of tsuba hitsu-ana size would be about 28mm x 7mm A rough idea, obviously varies but around that would be the norm (off top of head) To the original question, its a bit like asking the old question how long is a piece of string, varies.. Large Katana be looking at 29, 30mm etc x 8, 9 mm etc Lol

Check out the variation here, Grey puts sizes of Hitsa-ana on his site (hole for nakago) https://www.Japanese...tegory/tsuba-kodogu/

If your buying blades without papers They need to be textbook correct Not question blades

Lol, you getting you pennys worth, reminded of the never ending story Only one i found is Koto, check out the dates on the link for Uda I would advise you to stop and learn a bit first You may end up buying something you dont understand or can appreciate As we have all done Look for Hozen, if your unsure cheers

Find these threads a bit pointless without reasons why. Out of curiosity. Asked a well known Japanese dealer this question. I wanted to get an answer from someone that has had thousands of blades in hand and had time enough to study them. From Chu-jo to top notch If he takes the time to answer il let you know.

1457 to 1460 Chu-jo rated Suguha hamon Only one Uda Kunimori in the Index and that's as much as you will learn from that source. An obscure one, usually find them easily on this page http://www.sho-shin.com/hoku15.htm

Looked for a fuchi some time ago, that needed to be 41mm but that was a very wide katana. Most i saw were around 38mm

Long sword around 38mm length. a rough guide That size may also suit a wak with a wide blade. Generally though, waks a little smaller.

My advice would be look to swords entered into Japan's Shinsakuto competition. Just acquired one. its flawless. Smith gave 100% effort, and it shows. He previously had 4 results, two 2nds and two 3rds. The sword is as made, perfection , does not have centuries of polish.

Will have to think on this but for now will just make a point. For me, you don't really know a sword unless you owned it for a while and studied it under different lighting etc. Looked at a Juyo sword a while ago and remember thinking to myself be good if i could have it for a week. So in respect of "in hand", depends. Other factors as mentioned.