slavia631

Hello everyone, I was wondering if anyone here could make an educated guess as to whether this kissaki could be reshaped and saved. I understand that it is quite a severe break, and that nothing close to original sugata could be attained...but I still wonder if anything could be done?: thanks, Andrew

While the nagako and sugata indicate that it is indeed genuine, the blade's aesthetics are quite...different. It almost has the "feel " of a modern custom sword (Howard Clark, etc.). Might this be due to the possibility of some hybrid polishing or an acid etch? Or is the blade itself an actual "black sheep"?

Sold to a friend who will give it a good home.

Hi guys, Just wanted to show off the wakizashi in it's completed koshirae. I refinished the saya and built/wrapped/fitted the tsuka myself. The sageo is from Shadow of leaves, tsuka is of poplar, with same acquired from Aarom Justice, Fred Lohman fuchi kashira and tsuba, ito acquired from Lee Geniman (Nichiren), antique Japanese seppa, and "kabuto" themed menuki cast from originals by a professional jeweler. Please take a look: Feel free to ask questions or comment. thanks, Andrew

Hello again, An update on this wakizashi: An acquiantance of mine in Australia sent some detailed photos of this blade to his friend who is a retired NBTHK shinsa judge. Based on the photos, the fellow says the blade is most likely an early Shinto but may be worth further investigation as a Koto piece. On another note, I have completely refinished the saya, aiming to bring it close to it's original tone and texture:

Very very nice. May I ask what you paid for it? Every once in a while some wonderful deals can be had at gun shows. When/Where was the show?

Hi, Would someone kindly enlighten me as to how one can tell that a blade (such as mine) is a shinto Seki blade? Furthermore: what exactly defines a Seki blade, and why aren't they worth very much (relatively speaking)? Thanks, Andrew

Here are a few more nakago photos provided by the owner. They are not a lot clearer (if at all), but hopefully might help: By the way, he paid less than $100 for this sword over 10 years ago! hope those may help with further identification, Andrew

Hi, I am presenting this sword on behalf of a friend who is trying to find out about it's history. He has had this sword for years, having picked it up from a neighbor who was about to take it to the flea market! (It was brought back after WWII by a Grandfather of the neighbor, so the blade rests in military mounts.) The owner has gotten mei translations from two sources: one stating that it reads "Bishu Osafune Sukemune, dated Eisho Shichi Nen Hachigatsu Hi (August 1510), the other stating that it reads "Bishu Osafune Sukemune" and is dated 1511. Here are a few photos, provided by the owner: Any information on this blade, it's mountings, it's inscription, or it's smith would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Andrew.

Is that indicated by the symbol or just an additional observation? thanks, Andrew

I still haven't found any clues as to what the above symbol might be. I have found some kanji similar to the marking, but nothing conclusive. Anybody have any ideas? thanks, Andrew

I have found what looks to be some kind of character along the upper spine of the Nagako, where the Habaki should be: There are also what look like 5 "dots" in a row just below the character (hidden by the shadow in the photo), but these just may be scratches of some sort. Does anybody know what this might be? thanks, Andrew

Great info, thanks a lot. While a second opinion would be appreciated, I have confidence in your knowledge and experience, and I thank you for going through some of the math for me. How were you able to discern all of this from my photos? Did anything tip you off that I should be aware of, or look for in future blades that I have a chance to observe? I'm glad I found all of this out early in the process. I am confident, at least, that I can make a decent turnaround profit on this blade. But I think I will keep it for a while anyways for observation and comparison puropses. Thanks. Andrew.

Thanks James, Brian, and Jacques; I bought this blade not because I wish to "dabble" in the lower-end, but rather because I saw potential in this blade to be worth quite a lot more in the future with a good polish job. Since there are no flaws, it seems to me that this blade should someday polish up extremely nicely, and I would be very much interested to experience the "magic" of a good professional polish. Until I have learned more about Nihonto collecting and restoration (and can afford it), I will just hold on to this one so I can make sure it's potential is someday reached. To me, restoring a perfectly "restorable" blade to (paperable?) condition would be just as--if not more-- fun than buying a perfectyly polished and papered blade from the start. Though the only way to correctly do either is to keep reading, which is what I intend to do. thanks, Andrew

Here is the ha-machi. I'm no expert by any means, but to me this blade does not seem tired. It is significantly beefier than my other wakizashi, in heft and in all of it's dimensions (especially girth.) There are no forging flaws becoming evident, and of course none of the core steel is peeking through anywhere. Thanks for the help, and hopefully you can tell more from the above photo.

I know I said I wasn't going to do this...but I did. I bought another mumei Nihonto Wakizashi. And this one seems even nicer than the first. It was very slightly more expensive ($320) but again I an quite certain that I paid much less than it is worth. This one has ZERO surface flaws, and ZERO nicks in the edge, and is FAR from being tired out. It is absolutely gorgeous. (of course it could use a new polish, but the surface is decent as is) This one has quite an active wavy hamon, and extremely tight hada. Notice the sori too...beautiful! I'll let the pics do the rest of the talking: (new sword is above) (hamon) (tiiight hada) Again, comments and information would be greaty appreciated. I once again have no information on the age or style, so help would be kindly accepted! Books from here on out...I promise! -Andrew

But the kissaki is terrible! It is shaped very poorly. I couldn't even imagine a true Nihonto looking like that after the worst reshaping polish job in the world! sorry, but even my untrained eye can tell that it is a fake.

Thanks Brian! I realize that the chip is permanent, and quite frankly I don't intend to turn this particular piece into a restoration project. I will just keep it and maintain it as it is. I just really felt the desire to own a Nihonto piece, and now I have one right here in front of me to study and appreciate. I will save the real money, time, and effort for that perfect papered piece that may cross my path down the road. This piece has really bitten me with the Nihonto bug, like you all knew it would. It has not significantly strengthened my desire to acquire another right away; but rather it has strengthened my desire to study and know more....so I will be ready when that perfect piece comes my way. thanks, andrew

And now for the specifics: Nagasa: 20" Nagako:5.5" Anything you guys could tell me about this blade would be greatly appreciated! thanks, andrew

The blade arrived!! And the tip was unscathed, thankfully. Here are some photos, I hope they may tell you guys a little more about the blade than I can:

Wow! That is a beauty and a very lucky find! Congratulations. andrew

I may try to do that, now that you mention it. I have done quite a bit of Japanese-style bladework, but have only attempted 1 set of fittings before (long ago)...so, I'll have to think about that... FWIW, here's my latest blade: thanks, andrew

Blade has been shipped! I'm a little apprehensive though, because I'm assuming that they shipped the blade in the saya, and without a tsuka. I sure hope nothing happens to the kissaki whilst in transit. :| andrew

Hmm, a company name. Interesting. So does that mean that this blade is a Gunto? Or some kind of modern replica of Nihonto? andrew

Hello again, Can anybody help me translate/identify this mei? They are a little hard to read, but any help would be appreciated. thanks, Andrew