ChrisW

Shame I didn't run into you today! Was really nice getting to put faces to names I've seen and interacted with here. I didn't do any purchasing myself, but I got to spend some time chatting and showing a few blades to Ted Tenold, Andrew Quirt, Grey Doffin. Got some advice on what do with a promising koto blade as well! If you're going tomorrow, be sure to check out some of the blades my friends Dan Kedzie and Barret Mueller brought! They've got some real gems with them. Dan has also made a lovely tachi kake for sale ($75 a real steal if I do say so myself; one has already sold) and some solidly-built tools for removing stubborn blades from their tsuka!

No, but I did buy it from a member a few years back. I'll try to get some pictures when its sunny out and post it.

That's a very impressive collection! I only have one tanegashima and its unfortunately been converted to percussion sometime in its life.

If I am not mistaken, the story is as follows: Some Portuguese sailors shipwrecked on the Japanese island of Tanegashima. The local lord allowed them materials and provisions to repair their ships to go home, but in exchange, he got some of their matchlock rifles. The design was copied and quickly spread throughout the country in the span of a decade or so. Ergo, this is why Japanese matchlocks are called Tanegashima.

Could simply be an artifact of the angle of the photo being taken... or more likely, the sword is simply not symmetrical on both sides (one side being more polished down than the other). I think it is the later because you can see slight differences in distances around the boshi.

Looks like it was poked into something and the tip snapped off! My condolences.

A wonderful find Bruce!

You've become so British, the queen has decided to adopt you! And I agree, this is disgusting. Those responsible should lose their jobs over this.

This is probably from just being knocked against the inside of the saya. Or being dropped while in the saya.

Appears to be an older blade in WWII tachi-style mounts. The blade is on the older side of things (appears Koto with at least one drifted mekugi-ana). I can't speak to the veracity of the mei, but gimei is probably a good assessment.

I mean to ask: is that orange lacquer on it or what other treatment could it be? Thanks!

A very lovely koshirae and blade! By the way, is that same under the ito lacquered orange? I've not seen that before.

That is worrisome. I hope he is doing okay! I've always enjoyed his finds.

I will leave a definitive judgement to those more experienced than myself! But on a cursory glance, maybe Yamato (specifically Hosho?) due to the suguha hamon and masame hada but the o-kissaki is typically a Bizen characteristic.. A bit of a puzzler, at least to my inexperienced eyes.

Can we get a view of the other side of the nakago? But I think your assessment looks accurate. Looks like a Nambokucho tachi to me.

Probably the most active hada I've ever seen in a gendaito. Love it.

Most definitely not Japanese.

I am afraid your your link is broken.

Well... it might be the remains of a much larger blade (sword), made somewhere around Vienna with imperial proofmarks (the crown) which is similar to how most of Europe did things during that time. Or it could be a knife. But my gut says its broken remains of a sword as I don't think many places would proofmark a simple iron knife. Silver they would have absolutely proofmarked, but I think you've got the bottom portion of a broken sword that's been carved up to fit in a kogatana slot. The proofmarking is rather simplistic compared to military ones, so this one might just be a small-time maker. Similar to how there were dozens of makers of swords in the US Civil War era that are poorly documented as compared to larger manufacturers like Ames and Pettibone. I am also less inclined to think it was originally a knife due to how thick it appears to be. If it had started as a knife, those proofmarks would be gone as knives are obviously much thinner than a sword would be. But I could be wrong! Either way, it is definitely much reduced and from around Vienna. Probably 1700-1880's or so.

Not sure of the manufacturer/proof marks, but I am pretty sure that says "Vienna" on the bottom line.

Best of luck! Looking forward to seeing what you find.

I agree with Ray here, hagire tend to be perpendicular to the ha.

I would pass. I think you can do better for the money considering its an auction that still has some time to go (I don't think it is a 'buy it now' situation?).

It is a quite attractive piece with an interesting story. I agree with John here, maybe a proper polish if you don't agree with the improvised polish?

I am not recommending any particular togishi. Also, a person has to be extremely full of themself to think they know better than a properly trained togishi (they have to spend often a decade or more before being acknowledged as fully trained). In the end, the final word on if a blade is able to be restored/worth it is by togishi (note that the plural and singular form of that noun is togishi). I never once said he had to take the word of a SINGLE togishi as final judgement. In this case, I believe you're the one building an information barrier by insinuating the blade is not worth it to have restored (via saying there is too much rust, possible flaws [which can only be seen in hand on this particular blade], and citing cost as an issue). I agree that he does need information from different sources, but he should take anything anyone says regarding the possibility of restoration on an online forum with a grain of salt. In hand is ALWAYS better, and togishi judgement is the final word because they are the ones who do the work. If you think a togishi is leading someone by the nose, you either have a personal problem with that particular togishi, or you haven't given thought to seeking another togishi. I don't claim to be a togishi; I only acknowledge their mastery in this subject. George, this is your blade, and I agree with you that it is worth it to get it in the hands of a togishi for assessment and a possible window. Maybe bring it to the Chicago or San Fransisco shows if you can make it? I don't know if any/how many togishi from the states/abroad may attend, but you could at least hear other formative opinions from other collectors!