nagamaki - Franco

Hello, Food for thought, consider the possibility that the noticeable dip near the hamachi on the upper edge may be there from a previous single chip taken out (and not from many polishes). The polisher may have decided to remove the damage while leaving as much metal as possible, thus creating a bit of curvature in the edge. Whether the result is correct/acceptable is open to question. When considering a piece like this, consulting with an excellent polisher over the present condition and possibilities of improvement is advisable. Although there are certain physical limits for sure, an excellent polisher will often surprise with what can be accomplished. This tanto could be enjoyed as is, but that should be weighed vs price and resell time, if need be. Especially with older pieces like this one which have seen previous polishes, those polishes, changes, should be carefully evaluated. Some problems extending from previous polishes can be corrected, while others cannot. This applies to the nakago as well.

Hello, Arm and Hammer free of perfumes and dyes laundry detergent. Microdear clothes are designed for cleaning and not scratch camera lenses. I use both of these products and have had absolutely no problems on polished swords or tosogu. Also, these microdear cloths are washed separately and drier sheets are not used.

Hello, As I've yet to see an actual kozuka made as a kozuka for a sword converted to a kitchenware handle, any examples posted would be welcomed and appreciated. Thank you.

Hello, Just to clarify, kitchenware kozuka in all likelihood were made by former tosogu craftsman during the Meiji period. Differences to look for would be found in the finer detail and material finish. Otherwise we see very familiar themes being depicted. One problem often seen with kitchenware pieces is westerners using silverware polish on them thinking the intended black finish should be removed. BTW, has anyone translated and checked the mei on the signed kozuka?

Steven, thank you for providing an opening for a humorous comeback, please don't think it wasn't tempting. However, we must remind ourselves that even back at the time these Goto Shishi copies were made, much like today the authentic ones would not have been affordable for most.

Hello, It is worth mentioning that a truly professional restoration will virtually be undetectable, yes, even holes, but in order to achieve this kind of result, again, time is money. And, although these kozuka may 'look good', the question here is whether these kozuka were originally made as kozuka and then converted to kitchenware handles, or were they made as kitchenware handles? The closer I look, the more I think the later.

Hello, The short answer is probably yes. In the case of orphan menuki, even very good pieces, the cost of a proper restoration would quickly eat up the final value in most cases and then you'd still end up with an orphan. It would have to be something exceptional imo. As for kozuka, the cost of restoration vs final value might be there for restoring a good piece. In the case of these pieces, at least for me, it's difficult to say/judge without seeing them in hand. Right now they're kitchen ware.

FYI, http://www.nihonto.com/nanki-shigekuni-%E5%8D%97%E7%B4%80%E9%87%8D%E5%9B%BD/

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Japanese-Pair-Menuki-Shishi-Foo-Dog-Tsuka-Sword-Fitting-Koshirae-Samurai/253423894458?hash=item3b013dbfba:g:LoMAAOSwX9FZKQ-H

yes, tired eyes missed the upper slant.

It will be interesting to see if and how this mei/sayagaki attributions go along with the Kaga shaped nakagojiri???

Hello, A dry scaly look is a definite cause for concern. Yamanaka's Newsletters revised offers considerable descriptions of what to watch out for.

Don't recall ever seeing such a mixed shape of nanako quite like this before. Cast or is this stamped? Thank you.

My money is on oil quenched, too. My 2nd sword was an absolutely pristine condition Kanezane (had to owned by a desk officer). In any case, it was definitely water quenched with a nioi hamon, but also obviously not traditionally made either. It had an almost identical mei to Fuller/Gregory. Ended up selling that blade to someone who just had to have it and to fund a new purchase. Sadly, I saw the Kanezane sometime later for sale on a gun show table, all scratched up and with a badly broken tip. Difficult to understand after taking the time to show someone proper care and handling. Of the ~ dozen held, yes, none were traditionally made. If memory serves, Chris Bowen sent me a picture years ago of an image that showed one or two (???) Kanezane traditionally made swords that even from the image didn't look like the typical ones we're used to seeing. As I recall Chris indicated he'd never seen a traditionally made Kanezane, but they must exist somewhere.

Thank goodness for mumei.

Hello, Grrr is right, rkg, I used to know what all the different ishime were, I had them all written down but that list died with 90's gateway.

Oooohhh, ahhhhh, uggghhhhhhhhh!

Hello Richard, Found this, see pages 138 -139 https://books.google.com/books?id=ew-QBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA138&lpg=PA138&dq=ishime+variant&source=bl&ots=lk_deltdQh&sig=LR8h4xhLE2JOWbWereEae1GFFyw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi6-LiPwdTYAhWlmeAKHQfNCmQQ6AEINjAG#v=onepage&q=ishime%20variant&f=false .... thank you, Markus.

Hello, Please forgive my lack of understanding, but I'm a bit confused by the use of the term nanako vs ishimei to describe the surface treatment of this tsuba. What am I missing? Thank you.

Ha, well, if not half asleep I might have double checked and noticed things not quite adding up before posting.

Hello, Sorry to be a naysayer, but I think saying solid gold habaki here is a bit optimistic. Will leave it that.

Merry Christmas, It should be simple enough to ask AOI if they stand behind the mei and seeing how they respond.

Hello, Between the mei and shape of the nakago-jiri/plus file marks and the gunome midare hamon, using books you may be able to narrow down period/tradition/school/and perhaps even the smith especially if the maker is rated. Polish, generally speaking on a later signed sword unless the maker is rated and can be verified, polish doesn't make much sense. Hmm.

Sorry, phone is the way to contact Brian, Pacific Standard Time http://www.japanesesword.com/Services/services.htm