nagamaki - Franco

Incorrect conclusion.

What is important to learn about books on nihonto is that especially when it comes to English language references it is essential to check with at least 3 separate sources before placing your foot in your mouth. Keep in mind that some of these references could be referring to an error made in another reference, which is why the reason for at least a third.

Hello Paul, FWIW, I'd be surprised if it was Koto, but not Shinshinto based on these images. The other thought that jumped out at me is Settsu based on jitetsu (which I've always had a soft spot for). Thanks for sharing this story.

Hello, Yes, fuchi, curved depression does indicate made for a side fitting pocket and this fuchi will be in all probability of wakizashi in size. Any chance of seeing the work? Thank you.

From a previous thread on this topic: Hello William, All, An additional comment regarding muji hada. The term "muji hada" is often used in association with machined Japanese sword steel as in the case with showa-to. This, at least in my experience, is a misnomer, because muji steel is a given specific term that is applied and used to describe hada in true nihonto where the folding pattern is not distinguishable, as in say for instance the same way that mokume, masame, or itame, would be, BUT, unlike machined steel, muji hada does indeed show hand forging qualities that make it "clearly distinguishable" from machined steel. Once a collector sees real muji hada and the image becomes imprinted, they will begin to understand what is meant by the term lifeless when it is applied to machined steel. So, perhaps we should call machined steel, just that, and stop slandering the term muji hada. Oops!, I bet I'm going to be real popular with the showato guys now

Hello, For What Little It's Worth Looking at Pete's link my initial thought is this is some sort of silver/copper + 'maybe' even a touch of gold mix, (shibuichi). It would take a true pro, imo, to properly restore. I don't see shakudo here.

Images?

Hello, nice sword, the sayagaki alone is worth collecting.

That has been my experience in the past.

Hello Valery, My vote is negative on work and mei being genuine. Thank you for sharing. p.s. If it had been unsigned I might bend to den/school work. But as it stands it's trying to be something more, imo, which raises questions.

Kaga Goto is a very reasonable call. Thanks for showing.

Hello, Would not describe these as shinae. Looks like physical damage, but from what???

Hello, I could be wrong, but would agree with Ishiguro Masayoshi. I see one listed in Markus' Meikan of sword fittings signing similarly without kao. Theme and quality look fitting, shall we say.

Hello, Save your money. You'd be much better off ordering online books on koshirae or fittings from Markus Sesko. Samurai only were allowed to carry Katana.

Hello Dirk, At this point it crosses my mind that the tip may have been shortened. If so, then it must be determined what affect that has had on what we see now. Reshapes of old in my experience were too often done more with a return of function in mind than correctness of shape. p.s. consult a polisher with excellent foundation skills.

Hello, When it comes to shinsa, do not discount the effect that the polish has on the outcome. If a Koto sword has been polished as such that it appears to be a Shinto or even a Shinshinto sword, and remember the later two are in fact copies of the former for the most part, how does one expect the shinsa judge to reach a determination based upon something other than what he is able to and can see, he cannot. Keep in mind that even when a Koto sword is polished as a Koto sword, if the polisher has not properly brought out the finer detail you're likely going to get a lesser smith or school call instead of a better rated individual. And for those submitting out of polish swords, it is unreasonable to expect much more than an out of polish judgement.

Hello, Pressure sensitive paper is useful for spur of the moment times. Otherwise, traditional methods are the way to go.

Wait! Wait! Just wait a minute! For crying out loud, the sword smith forgot to add a hi to this monster sword and now my arm muscles are filled with lactic acid from all the slashing and I have to recover before slicing you in half.

Without further comment, http://www.shibuiswords.com/haynesYasu_files/12a.jpg .... http://www.shibuiswords.com/haynesYasu_files/12e.jpg

Hello, Additional thoughts. When it comes to fittings (koshirae), if there is even a hint of thought or intention of restoring always ask a restorer before cleaning, even with mild soap. Sometimes the answer will be, yes, it's ok, followed by additional advice, but quite often the answer will be, no, don't to touch it, not even with mild soap. When in doubt, don't! Next, back to the issue of caked over swords and never-dull for re-emphasis. The proper approach especially if you're not absolutely certain of what you have is to send it to a trained professional and have a window opened. There have been a number of times that I've witnessed where a nothing looking sword turned out to be something. In one case, years ago, a tanto caked over in rust had been passed over by many collectors, why, because it appeared to be a late Koto Mino Seki mumei blade, and it was. Except it turned out to be a Soshu copy made by Hiki Sada. And in fact, what revealed that it was something more was a small window. The point being had it been nevr-dulled, the story might have had a different ending. When in doubt, don't!

Hello, While I can already hear the moaning and groaning, there is an option for cleaning off heavy rust, nevr-dull. But, but, let's make it perfectly clear that while the nevr-dull itself will not harm the blade and remove the heavy dirt, grime, and rust, the outcome will be far from the point of being able to see features of the hamon or any formations in the steel. In fact they will become obscured. Nevr-dull was developed for cleaning and shinning auto chrome bumpers, not seeing details in forged steel. As one uses the small swatches of nevr-dull pulled off it is essential to understand, realize, that you are now rubbing the dissolving dirt, grime, and rust over the surface of the blade, which could in fact cause damage. Therefore, in order to minimize any damaging effect, it requires great patience, rubbing small areas at a time, frequent changing of swatches, frequent clean new tissue wiping, frequent (sword) oiling, followed by more wiping, then repeating the entire process again, and again, and again, until the blade reaches a satisfactory condition of being clean. BTW, while the nevr-dull is not chemically harmful, you'll still want to be wearing protective gloves like medical gloves. Then, once the dirt, grime, and rust are gone, careful alternating use of uchiko (sorry Darcy) and oil can begin to reveal, bring out, the shape of the hamon. Even so, don't expect to see too much more than outlines. Also, keep in mind that these rusty old blades can still cut like crazy!!! Keep fingers away from edge. Is your tetanus shot updated? As for fittings, imo, fittings can be ruined very quickly if you don't know what you're doing, perhaps even more so than swords. When in doubt, don't! Further, while I've done what is described above a number of times, I knew exactly what I had before starting. And that is probably the most important point. A possibly old koto sword, an important signed sword any age, I would not touch.

Greetings All, Hmm, in the end to the unfortunate soul being cut down back centuries ago, I don't think it mattered all that much if it was by a Norishige, Yukimitsu, or Masamune. On the reverse side, what does it matter if one died fighting with one of these maker's sword in hand. And, perhaps, more importantly relative to the present is the question of how many of these and other great swords have slipped through the fingers of dealers and collectors sitting on a table unrecognized out of polish. Just stirring the pot on a Saturday afternoon, cheers!

First impression, not traditionally made.

Hello, While I have made a number of purchases from Mike Yamasaki at RiceCracker, all excellent A+ transactions, I have not had the occasion of using his polishing services yet. I do know that Mike offers Juyo level work. Suggest contacting him directly with your questions. If you're next step is to seek out additional advice, sword shows offer a great opportunity. In many cases you'll find dealers like Mike Yamasaki there along with sword polishers. One of the best shows will be coming up in San Francisco in August.