Lewis B

Yet it has TH papers. That surprises me.

The obvious things: the small hamachi distance, from where nakago ends and the Ha (edge), mentioned earlier and the motokasane measurement. In this example its 0.49 which is thin for Yamato Gokuden, suggesting the blade has seen many polishes. Higher rez image of the monouchi area

Its a long blade @71.4cm. I won't post the link as that is the perogative of the poster. But its clearly had many polishes and a lot of the activity is compromised. Basically its tired. I think I would be looking elsewhere for my first early Koto blade. The Senjuin FS here on NMB is a much better example IMHO.

A timely reminder to all those, like me, who like a blade exhibiting utsuri. Nefarious sellers out there praying on the appeal of this feature. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=2401552303244992&set=pcb.2401556073244615 https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=2401552296578326&set=pcb.2401556073244615 A warning from Andrew Ickeringill " A warning to sword collectors... Please have a look at these pics taken from a Japanese auction site, when you look at this utsuri, what do you see? Have a good look and think about it before reading the below... This kind of utsuri was drawn to my attention a few years ago, a client had asked me to open a window on an old tachi. As soon as I saw the blade, I knew something was off... it had been acid etched (not unusual) but something else was going on with the utsuri. After a few minutes pondering I concluded that the utsuri was fake, but the owner wasn't convinced and still wanted a window opened. Sure enough, the window revealed the utsuri was completely artificial, it came right off and didn't return. I believe the sword pictured here has had the same treatment, it has no utsuri... well it might have some kind of utsuri underneath the artificial one, but I doubt it. I'm guessing it's been created using some kind of VERY strong chemical process, applied either very carefully with a cotton bud stick, or perhaps a stencil was used as a guide. I've been seeing this kind of "utsuri" quite a bit recently, mainly coming from the Japanese auction sites. It's a very cheeky deception that I imagine has fooled many people. So, how can I tell this is fake just from looking at pics? That's the hard part to explain, I'll do my best... For starters, how do you view utsuri? Similar to the way you view the hamon. Real utsuri generally can't be seen very well from the angle that you'd normally view the jigane from, which is from directly above. But the "utsuri" in these pics shows up very strong in the jigane pics. What about the shape/pattern of this "utsuri"? It seems there's a contrived shape and repetitive pattern. On a sword with this kind of gunome-ba, I'd expect real utsuri to mirror the hamon in a similar flow, the utsuri would rise where the hamon dips into valleys, and the utsuri would fall where the hamon peaks (this isn't always the case with real utusri, for example shirake-utsuri). But with this sword you can clearly see the pattern of the utsuri is often at odds with the flow of the hamon in a very unnatural way. Also, please note the granule-like/mottled texture of this "utsuri", it's a result of the acid and you don't see that effect in real utsuri. One more thing, look how defined this "utsuri" is, especially the area down towards the hamachi where they've tried to emulate a mizukage-like effect. It's so sharp and defined, like it's been painted on, well it basically has been! So, just beware of these Japanese auction sites and their swords, some are gimei, some are acid etched in the hamon and jigane, and some have completely artificial utsuri. I'm not saying don't buy from these sites, there are some good swords to be found there, but you need to be aware it's like navigating a minefield, please be cautious and don't get had! I wouldn't recommend buying anything from these sites unless it's at least papered Hozon level."

I certainly wouldn't equate the utsuri 'effect' created with modern steel with that seen on early Koto tamahagane blades so being more specific wrt to the type of utsuri will be beneficial for this discussion.

Very true. First time I came across the term 'Utsuri' was in relation to a honyaki chef knife I purchased 7 years ago. The maker had referred to this feature in his description for the W2 tool steel blade as an indicator of the perfect heat treatment conditions.

Price?

I think it can form with both particles. Nie-utsuri being nie based.

Markus Sesko has a nice essay on the subject. https://markussesko.com/2013/08/22/some-thoughts-on-utsuri/

ChatGPT's opinion "It’s believed to be caused by slight variations in the composition of the steel used in the forging process. The technique of folding steel during the forging process (which is traditional in Japanese swordmaking) can result in these patterns appearing on the blade."

I seem to remember reading it was a thin covering of nie intended by the maker to instill additional strength in the blade thus making it less likely to fail under a combat situation.

MASACHIKA (正近), Eiroku (永禄, 1558-1570), Bingo – “Bishū Mihara-jū Kai Masachika saku” (備州三原住貝 正近作), “Bishū Mihara-jūnin Kai Masachika saku” (備州三原住人貝正近作), “Bishū Mihara-jū Kai Masachika taishoku jōgo ō-mochi-kurai shikaredomo kaji heta nari” (備州三原住貝正近大食上戸大餅喰然共 鍛冶下手也, “bad work of Kai Masachika from Bingo´s Mihara because made full of food”), this joking signature is found on the most famous masterwork of Masachika, the saying taishoku jōgo ō-mochi kurai applies to someone who is already full of food and sake but who still eats a dessert in the form of a mochi Seems like he had a big sense of humour.

Forging kitae ware.

Yes, I thought the merciful thing to do was to lop off their heads in feudal Japan. Thats what the 2nd was there to do during an act of harakiri, not stab them in the ankle with a blunt chopstick/hair adornment tool.

All depends if you are looking to buy or have some quiet time with your favourite blade. Friday will be more relaxed and give you first crack of the whip. Saturday after lunch was the busiest last year.