Matsunoki

I’m no tsuba expert…but that is stunning workmanship. What a talent.

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/26734/lot/661/

………but the “jagging” along the edges of whatever they are is very typical of how feathers are depicted! They are also a totally different shape to those in Dale’s post. Hmmmmm……

My money is on “fluffy” feathers. On some of them you can see the “vein” that runs centrally through a feather. Can’t think of a flower that shape/form. Could argue leaves but again the radiating “feathering” is not leaflike.

David, from the images I would say that all 3 swords are prewar. Just how old it’s impossible to tell without the images requested above. The suspension rings looks as if they were a “cheap” type that could used to mount older samurai period saya for WW2 wartime use. They were also used on actual WW2 saya. The original kurigata is simply removed and the suspension mounts slid up the saya, sometimes glued in place. It’s a quick way to remount the sword. However the original saya sadly sustains damage in the process….chipped and worn lacquer etc etc The one with two rings was possibly mounted for a naval officer but the saya on that one looks WW2. Just my opinions….others know far more than me! I’m sure I’ll be corrected!

Does this make more sense?

Dumb question maybe…….but is this definitely iron?? In the images it looks like it could be copper with a lovely patination..

Thanks Paul. PM sent.

PM sent. Thanks.

Shannon, John, Thanks for comments. I agree totally. Trouble is, stuck here in the Nihonto wastelands of the UK there is close to zero chance of getting it to a Japanese shinsa nor to an overseas togishi. We are having terrible trouble with postage/carriers over here. Even if I could get it to Japan there is no guarantee our Border Force/ Customs would let it back in again. Some collectors have had swords confiscated/seized……its a real nightmare. I am on the 2 year waiting list for the most respected UK togishi….. Its very very frustrating……especially as most swords discovered in UK need full restoration due to neglect or being used to cut the hedges with! The best I can hope for is to get the expertise on this forum to help……I can’t read Japanese and you can only learn so much from the few books in English. Thanks again. All the best. Colin

Richard, Bruno, Dale…..Many thanks for sharing your knowledge. It’s not a “school” I’d encountered before. I struggle to like it …..not really sure why…….just doesn’t strike me as Japanese taste, which is not surprising if it’s classed as Namban! I’ll try and find one I do like for the Katana it’s on. Best wishes. Thanks again. Colin

Hi Richard….thanks for looking. By “binned”…do you mean thrown away ie poor workmanship? I have to admit, I don’t like it! Any idea of age? Thanks. Colin

Please could you help me with this tsuba? I have not encountered it’s like before and my knowledge on iron tsuba is very weak. It is mounted on a katana. The colour is darker than in the images and there is evidence of a fair bit of gold nunome zogan…..all now heavily worn. The design would seem to be stylised dragons on one side but the other side?? However the thing that confuses me the most is that the whole plate is quite heavily dished. What is it? Namban? Thank you for looking. Thank you in advance for all opinions! All the best. Colin

As usual I do not have the necessary knowledge to form a convincing opinion on this katana so I come to the amazing expertise on this forum for help. I thank you for looking. All opinions very welcome…good or bad! I should at least “have a go” so with no confidence I would say gimei (I’m always suspicious of 2 kanji signatures) but maybe Mino muromachi with a few added confusions! ln hand it is graceful and light with excellent balance. It has Futasuji hi. One or two “small black spots” but doesn’t seem “tired”. the nakago colour is much blacker than shown in images Dimensions- nagasa 69.3cm (86.5 overall) Ubu motohaba 3.17 cm (noticeable fumbari in area above the habaki) sakihaba 2.00 cm nakago kasane 7.96 mm mune kasane 4.55mm motokasane 7.18 mm (ie high shinogi) sakikasane 4.81mm sori 2.8cm slightly koshisori Hada is indistinct in old polish but masame visible in some areas just above hamon. Maybe a ghost of itame elsewhere. Hamon is wild gunome midare with tobiyaki, a few yo and what I would call “crab claws” with much konie. Boshi is a simpler gunome continuation . The kissaki tip was chipped by the ********** carriers when they unpacked it to have a look and then mishandled it….before taking no care to repack it properly. Bless them. Thank you in anticipation.

Hello all I owned this sword years ago but sold it. Wish like hell I hadn’t. it cropped up in Sothebys years later. Does anyone know where it is? I’d love to reacquire it! I’m happy to pay a finders fee if I acquire it. I haven’t listed it under “wanted to buy” because I thought I might stand more chance in this forum Many thanks. Colin https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2019/fine-Japanese-art/a-wakizashi-signed-kanefusa-edo-period-17th-18th

Thanks again. Now that I have an idea what I might be looking for I’ve found this old link of the forum. any opinions?

In the uk we have a product called Zoff. It is used to remove the residue of first aid plasters from skin and will not affect lacquer. You probably have an “over the counter” equivalent from your local pharmacy/drug store? It is available over here in the form of individual wipes and liquid. The wipes are good. Hope it goes well.

Once again I thank you all for your time, comments and opinions. I don’t feel quite so inadequate about my confusion now! Jussi thankfully pointed out to me that the Mei did not in fact contain the smiths name, nor was it Bizen Osafune but instead it read Biyo Osafune (used by Bizen Yokoyama) so it seems we rely upon just the “Kiku Ichi” together with the place of manufacture. This leaves open the question of which (if any) of the Yokoyama Bizen smiths made it. Also why didn’t they add their name or could it have been made for a ceremony or Shrine…..or similar. I guess l/we will never know but I’d love to hear your theories. “In hand” the sword is (imo) beautifully forged and quenched but of course as usual for UK the condition makes it difficult to get good images. I bet it was a real looker when it was all crisp and fresh. Thanks again. Colin

Nothing on the other side.

Apologies for long post and many images This is the longest sword I’ve ever handled so it came home with me purely on that basis….rightly or wrongly. I’m (as usual) confused and need help PLEASE with Smith/Mei, authenticity (gimei?) and even how it was worn. For a UK discovered sword it’s not in such bad condition! Hamon looks to be in nioi choji gunome (hint of sanbonsugi ?) with a very long yakidashi. No discernible hada in this polish but very densely forged. Possible Muji or Nashiji? My attempt at the Tachi Mei is “Kiku Ichi Bizen Osafune ju”…not sure re last character and even Bizen looks a bit strange to me. The Tachi mounts have a mon (oxalis?) and the tsuba is a monster in iron with associated waterwheel menuki. Nice piece of same. Saya has had extensive repairs and the aogai lacquer, once nice, is now pretty ruined. It has just one ashi that doesn’t match the rest of the mounts. Double gilt habaki. I am seeking your kind help and opinions - (my library is very limited as is my knowledge) Who is the smith? (Bizen Sukenaga …Hawley SUK756??) Gimei? Worn as a Tachi or slung across the back? (Just one ashi) Dimensions- Nagasa 84.7cm motohaba 3.3cm sakihaba 2.64 cm motokasane 7.7mm sakikasane 5.54mm sori 2.4cm kokissaki

Hi John, I think the sword depicted in the menuki/saya Kanemono is a Tachi sword and thus worn edge down ….and thus I still think put on the saya upside down. Have a look at how the menuki in Bruno’s link is imaged by the Japanese dealer……sword is edge down ie a Tachi. The birds on the fuchi kashira are Kingfisher I think. The theme of the tsuba…..tiger sheltering in bamboo is a popular theme. Often includes a dragon in confrontation with the tiger who is sheltering from the celestial beast in the bamboo. Often the dragon is not shown…..just the tiger and bamboo. I think it shows that even the most powerful earthly beast (tiger) is no match for the Dragon. Others may correct me. I can’t quite make out the actual menuki on your tsuka. I wasn’t suggesting you were concerned with the monetary value….just pointing out that you most likely had a nice bonus….which never hurts does it? The best reason to buy anything is because you like it…..I applaud you. Best. Colin

If yours are the same quality as the one in the latest link it will certainly help with the monetary value of your sword!! However I don’t think it will help date the koshirae…..they have almost certainly been added later. If you look at how the sword would be worn ie cutting edge up, the saya Kanemono have been fitted upside down. I don’t think the Japanese would make that mistake! Also usually, saya Kanemono were only fitted to the side of the saya that faced outward when the sword is worn. One on both sides could be another suggestion of later additions.