Mike P.

I believe that would be a traditionally polished blade, in this case the hamon has been beautifully enhanced with a hadory stone. An acid etching can take many forms and even be especially deceptive in photographs, and I don't think that any written guidelines could give you a sure way of looking at a photograph and deciding one way or the other. Seeing the blade in your hands would make it easier do tell the difference, however only the experience having seen many traditionally polished blades can give you an accurate sense of what you are looking at. As you know the blend of steels of different properties on the surface of the blade will react differently to the acid and create relief micro patterns, for a much coarser velvet than would be achieved with fingerstones. Sometimes this can only bee seen when the blade is in your hands. Sometimes the etching has been prolonged and the surface will have a more damaged appearance, like damascus. A white hadori-type hamon that precisely follows the habuchi might also be a sign of chemical enhancement. But sometimes it has been performed in an skilled deceitful manner and might be extremely hard to see in a photo, or even if the blade is in front of you, as not all blades have structure detail. In this case, you have demonstrated excellent taste on a beautifully performed traditional polish (or is it? ) Mike Pilo

Hi Matt, The whole blade including yokote and kissaki is intact with the exception of the scratches, rust, and tini edge chips, the narume polish is basically gone, but there is a rather pronounced change of geometry where the yokote should be, which was not captured on the photo. No evidence at all the blade has been abused by grinding or removing steel, probably never been repolished judging by the overall rather-meaty kasane, which does not taper at the machi. Thanks, Mike P.

Thank you Steve, it is an elegant blade and I would like to justfify the expense to bring it back to life. But if not, I will provide custody until someone else can Mike P.

Gentlemen, any additional comments about this roughed up little blade of mine based on the photos. Much appreciated, Mike Pilo

Will do. Some photos: Matt, months instead of years would be better than what I'm used to for a decent polish. Thank you for all the contributions gentlemen. Mike Pilo

I will pursue further examination, as recomended, before deciding on a restoration direction. I'd like to ask for academic purpose only, if the blade ends up not being worth paying the price of a polish due to being not much more than a kasuuchi-mono, what should become of such a blade? What would be the proper course of action? Thank you for the input gentlemen. Mike Pilo Edit: browsing around I came up with the answer: if you're swimming in cash get her done, if not, don't. Unfortunately I'm not swimming in cash but I would like to see the blade restored to a minimum acceptable standard, that I might enjoy it even if it is of mediocre provenance... otherwise it would have to sit in the attic or be sold for what it is worth. Which begs the question, who would establish the bar for such a polish and what might one expect to spend for it? I know very well this is a question with an impossible answer, but if anyone in the know has time to kill and interest to express some opinions for the sake of musing, I'm all ears.

Gentlemen, Thank you for the replies. Little doubt then that the sword is gimei. What would be the best aproach for restoring this blade, if any. Mike Pilo

I'm looking for a little help. I have a blade that I've been told is signed "Bizen Kuni Osafune Ju Tomomitsu" (tachi mei, see pictures). Is this mei exclusive of the Osafune Tomomitsu from the Nambokucho era or are there any shinto or later smiths that used the same name? I would not think so, so I wanted some confirmation on whether it is indeed gimei. Nagasa is 26" and the blade is slender yet healthy, 20mm tori sori, and tapering from 30mm to 20mm with what appears to be gunome midare under the long gone polish, and a near-ichimai boshi. Also, if as I suspect the blade is gimei, what would you gentlemen recommend as a course of action for sending it to be restored (how much $$, time, and effort would you spend on this item). Thank you in advance! Mike Pilo

I understand that when a new habaki is needed for a blade in good polish, wood is the best choice for reasons of being the less invasive method against the blade surface.

Thank you for the kind comment reinhard. I really did not expect any final judgment from the pictures, as you say, they might not be enough but for the most knowledgeable eyes to make an educated guess. My main intention was to show the piece to a group of people capable of enjoying them, I really appreciate all the comments, and there is something to be learned from most of them. I will be more than happy to share my findings, regardless of the results it is a special piece. In spite of my rudimentary knowledge and exposure to nihonto, I was a member of the Florida token Kai, have been to several shows both in Orlando and Tampa, and have been an enthusiast and somewhat of a collector of nihonto for almost 20 years. I have seen a few exceptionally good looking blades, and this is one of them. So, regardless of its provenance and pedigree, I recognize it as a quality piece and I'm very proud of it, definetly the best blade I have ever owned or will ever own. Regardless of the outcome, the discovery process is a lot of fun, and getting opinions from everyone is part of that.

Is it because the kiku petal strokes go counterclockwise? Darcy, the kiku on my blade is definetly not the best rendition, and there are a couple of "missed" strokes. I know it is a lot to ask from just pictures, but if gimei, do you think this might have started as a mumei, or could it have been made with the intention to be a fake? Jean, the red nakago was with the flash, the dark color was under a light bulb.

Thank you reinhard and Jean for the comments. I do plan to have someone take a look at the next Florida Token Kai meeting in Tampa. The nakago flash photo does not do it justice, in reality there is no reddish color at all, more of a dark gray/brown and well "cured" rust, see pics under incandescent light bulb.

reinhard, What would be your best guess for the origins of an unusual sword such a as this? I pose the same question for anyone else who cares to speculate. Thanks for all the observations! Mike

The motokasane is over 1/3", it is massive indeed. the mune is barely narrower than the shinogi, so as you can imagine it is very heavy... which makes it temptiong to think that it was crafted for "show" rather than as a practical weapon. A shinshinto, or shinshinto copy would be a good guess, Nanshoku. Crafting a blade of this size in a flawless fashion requires talent and excellent control, so if gimei, I suspect it started out as mumei by a good smith, and then someone came along and signed it to pass it as someone else's work. I would have a hard time believing the actual smith put a fake sig on it... but you never know. A full polish on a blade like this would run inthe order of $3000, which in my mind could only be justified if the blade is authentic, or even if recognized to be crafted by an importent smith (the fake sig could be hammered out.) Otherwise I see no reason to spend the $$ on a blade which is worth less than the polish. In any case, this is a piece to behold, everyone that has had a chance to examine it comes away in awe by its massive presence and beauty, and always wondering what kind of monster was this made for. So if gimei, it might be something special as a curiosity... :D Thanks for the input all.

Thank you for the comments gentlemen. Jacques, thank you for the clarification... since I can't read the mei I depend on the interpretation of others who can. I would not know about the jigane differences between the two, but I will research it. Much appreciated! Darcy, the absence of nagashi and burnish, and the prominent hada make your observation quite accurate, I agree with you. If I'm able determine the blade is authentic, it will undergo traditional finish by a professional, otherwise I will not be able to justify the expense. I'm 2 hours away from Tampa, so I will schedule a visit to the February sword show and get some opinions. Huntershooter, glad you enjoyed the photos! Mike