French nihonto

hello everyone, I recently acquired an interesting katana, I knowingly acquired it as gimei, no paper, it is signed in katana mei "yamato kuni ju fujiwara Kaneyoshi" very very lucky that it is gimei but the quality of the blade seemed interesting. I have difficulty in translating and verifying the date on the nakago? 1369? despite the probable false signature I think of a Yamato tegai production. but I will be happy to have your opinion despite but bad photo. Nagasa : 67,8cm Sori : 2cm Motohaba : 2,9cm Sakihaba : 1,9cm Good day everyone Max

I have read several articles on robert soanes, and he seems to be doing a very good job indeed.

Thank you for your suggestion, I will try to contact him anyway, with a little luck.

Thank you for your answer, I will try to take better photos soon. The box is not with the cuirass. I know the restoration costs for the nihonto blade but not for an armor, do you have any idea of the prices for a good restoration? max

Hello Cuirass acquired some time ago, I plan to restore it. the fabric of the Kusazuri is dusting, but the rest is in good condition. the interior is made of thick gold leather. sold as momoyama era. Do you have any thoughts on the time or quality? Cordially Max

Hello I share this good find, very good video, with the great Koshu Hon'ami sensei https://youtu.be/JssiMK8sABI Max

i think it might be interesting to send it to shinsa. At the price I paid for it, I don't risk much. Have the sessions resumed since the interruption linked to the covid?

thanks Dave, I think there may be some masame in the shinogi-ji, but the grain of the steel in general on this blade is so tight that it's hard to see. On the other hand, I am almost sure to see the itame in the hiraji.

Thank you for taking the time to answer john, yes the pictures do not reflect reality, in particular the activity of the hamon. I show you this blade because I bought it from very bad pictures (worse than mine, that's to say), not hoping for much, at best a correct blade, at worst a study piece, and once the blade in my hand I have was very surprised, and higher end, than I thought, from these bad pictures.

an idea of the school or the time?

Hey guys I would like to have your opinion on the last arrival in my collection, the blade has no paper, the nakago has a very dark rust, very black, is quite deep, which does not stand out in the photos, it seems ubu. the blade has a rather impressive hamon, hard to transcribe in the photos unfortunately. the hada appears to be an itame-hada. For the tradition and the time I have some ideas, but I am waiting to hear your opinions ps: sorry for the bad photos Size Cutting Edge Length 62.3cm(24.53in) Sword Full length 83.4cm(32.83in) Saki-haba 2.14cm(0.84in) Saki-gasane 0.54cm(0.21in) Moto-haba 3.16cm(1.24in) Moto-gasane 0.65cm(0.26in) Shirasaya full length 89.5cm(35.24in) Sori curve 2.3cm(0.91in) Max

I did not specify it, this is my fault, but there is no (to my knowledge) any touch-up polishing. Either there is a complete polish or no polish at all. It is a legetime question which I already asked myself at the beginning of my interest for nihonto.

If the blade in question is in good condition, I do not recommend polishing. the process involves removal of material. when we talk about blades that are hundreds of years old. This is not negligible, and will reduce its overall life expectancy. we have to think about the future generation. Can we have pictures of the blade to better judge? And needless to say that I advise you not to undertake yourself (or an amateur) work on this blade. cordially max

The problem is that habaki is almost more valuable than the blade. (market value of course). On the other hand, it is possible that the blade is a beautiful historical value if it is kamakura. cordialy

That's what I thought, they talk about the sword as being an authentic masamune.

In any case very nice Koshirae.

this is not a masamune? or is it just a legend?

Can only trust the nakago for this blades. And the patina of the nakago makes me say muromachi but it's not an exact science.

the fingerprints it hurts ... even if the hamon is illegible, the nakago would remind me of muromachi.

it's a pleasure, and I will continue to share more from time to time.. It is true, but one can feel the same passions dear to the students and the sensei. And the importance of transmission.

we can't say too much with these photos, what little can be said about it: nakago with 3 mekugi holes (which rather indicates a long and beautiful life) and a beautiful patina. the hamon seems to be an irregular gunome (with the little that we see) I would say muromachi for the time.

Another interesting video that I have not seen in the selection, probably very well known, but for people who have missed it.