Request Help Identifying Wakizashi

[La Espada Ancha]

Hello,

 

I recently acquired a mumei waki of which I have attached photos below… Measurements are as follows:

 

Nagasa = 51.3cm (20 3/16")

Sori = 8.7mm (11/32")

Motohaba = 2.8cm (1 3/32")

Sakihaba = 2cm (25/32")

 

I cannot speak to the yasurime, as to my untrained eye it does not present clearly. Hamon (again with the caveat 'to my eye') is gunome midare on the obverse, komidare on the reverse. There are several noticeable kizu (fukure and ware), though no fatal flaws. However, a couple characteristics caught my attention. First and foremost was the differential hardening (togari?) along the mune (see last photo). Second, the munemachi seems small, and there is no hamachi as far as I can tell - would this indicate it is suriage?

 

Anyway, I would greatly appreciate any and all input and assistance with regards to age and school, as well as any other input (the collective) you may have.

 

Thanks & Regards,

 

Chris

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ken-Hawaii]

Hi, Chris:

 

Good photos, but please include some for the boshi & the other side of the nakago.

 

Ken

[La Espada Ancha]

Hi Ken,

 

Here are the photos of the reverse of the nakago (1) and two photos (not so great I'm afraid) of the boshi (2 & 3), both of the reverse (I'm afraid I didn't shoot the obverse). Thank you BTW for the complimentary words on the photographs. Sometimes the sword cooperates and makes it easy.

 

Thank you as well in advance for any input you might have... as I'm about to bed down for the night here in PST, I'll look forward to revisiting the thread in the morning.

 

Aloha & Mahalo,

 

Chris

 

 

 

 

[Jacques]

Hi,

 

First and foremost was the differential hardening (togari?) along the mune (see last photo). Second, the munemachi seems small, and there is no hamachi as far as I can tell - would this indicate it is suriage?

 

 

Tsukare (tired)

[Ken-Hawaii]

Jacques, I rather doubt that the rest of the blade would be in decent shape if the nakago & machi were that tired, don't you think?

 

Ken

[paulb]

Hi Chris,

I am also envious of your photography well done.

For what it is worth I would offer the following opinion.

1. I believe the blade is Suriage. The lack of a ha-machi is nothing to do with it being shortened but more likely the result of edge dmage being removed when the blade was polished thus reducing the depth of the ha. Looking at the image you can see some small chips remaining int the area of the hamachi.

2. Again pure guesswork but I would think the sword dates from the late koto say between 1450 and 1550.

and as a starting point I would look at mino school or associated work.

 

I could well be a long way off but the hamon and hada suggest some Mino influence and the nakago looks to be pre shinto.

[Jean]

Shinogi ji: Abnormal, the shinogi ji is always burnished in this kind of tempering. First time I see it among the few blades I have seen. In fact, to obtain such effect, this would induce the blade has been full tempered (shinogi ji included) and that a kind of hamon has been drawn also on the shinogi ji.

 

Probably Kazu Uchi Mono (bundle sword). Shingane seems to appear in a picture. Late Muromachi as said Paul. Mekugi ana drilled. Multi polishes have erased the ha machi and considerably reduced the munemachi.

 

Edit to add: congrats for the pictures

[Brian]

Was also thinking well used kazu uchi mono.

Funny how so many of these have an odd "stubby" and rounded shape to the nakago...hasn't got that graceful taper.

Only the lower ana appears to be drilled, and that is too low for mounting so not sure why it is there. Doesn't appear to be o-suriage.

 

Brian

[cabowen]

kazu uchi mono, Bizen.....

[Jean]

Agreed for Bizen (nakago jiri)

[La Espada Ancha]

Thank you one and all for your input...

 

Of course I should have picked up on the absence of the hamachi being due to multiple polishes, but at least my humble attempt to suggest an era and school for the waki (I didn't have nearly enough confidence to include this in the OP) seem to be more-or-less on target. The same can not be said for the beat-up tanto-mounted naganita I plan on posting later today...

 

Cheers to all,

 

Chris