Norimitsu on eBay

[Strider]

Could someone give me their opinions on eBay item # 320111314812? I tried to make a link but it failed. Has anyone had any dealings with this seller? thanks Scott

[Ken-Hawaii]

Well, the hamon definitely looks Bizen, Scott, although I don't recall ever seeing a bo-hi that went quite so far into the nakago. And I'm wondering just what happened on the mune/hi area; kinda' weird-looking. No sign of yasurime that I can see, where I would expect either kiri or katte sagari. Something about that bothers me.

 

I've dealt with that seller once, with okay results. He sold me a wakizashi that wasn't exactly as advertised, but immediately refunded my money when I complained, including shipping. Not much more you can ask -- other than getting me what I wanted in the first place, of course. :D

[Grey Doffin]

I'm not bothered by the length of the hi in the nakago; I'm concerned by the length of the ware (defect) in the hi. Also, in one of the pictures I see a strong masame hada, which I wouldn't expect in Bizen-to. If a sword is retempered 2 of the many things that might happen are defects (ware, open grain, fukure) and change of hada (itame tends to become masame).

I don't know if the sword is retempered but that is always a possibility. Very difficult to tell from pictures.

Grey

[Brian]

Here you go Scott: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0111314812

Just paste the link into your reply.

 

Regards,

Brian

[Jean]

Thanks a lot Brian.

 

Just a reminder to NMB members, please if you are looking for an advice, don't forget to paste the whole link in your thread

 

Considering the blade :

 

I am very indulgent about old blades and their wares but there is a big tateware in the hamon much worse for the sword than the Mune/Hi one.

What surprise me is the length of the blade quite unusual at Kamakura period.

 

This kind of Hi was quite frequent at this period.

 

There were 2 noted smiths at Ka-gen era :

A yamato senjuin smith and the first generation Bizen Norimitsu, a Nagamitsu pupil - both are rated very highly (Jo-Jo, Juyo level).Should I have such a blade I shall try to have it papered.

 

Unfortunately, this niji mei does not fit the usual mei of this smith (It does not mean it is a false signature, I have got a papered Muromachi Tadamitsu nijimei katana - signature quite rare at this period).

 

IMHO, if the blade is from Kamakura period and Norimitsu 1st generation, though it has been abused, it is one of the biggest year deal. Try to find a signed ubu Kamakura blade by a noted swordsmith at this price ......

 

These are the reasons why I would not buy this blade :

 

- Uncertain of the end Kamakura period

- Length of the blade very short for the period

- Unpapered big name

- Much abused blade

 

I am not saying that there is something fishy about this blade but too many uncertitudes.

 

I'd like to hear Darcy's opinion on this blade ....

[Marius]

  Jean said:

 

IMHO, if the blade is from Kamakura period and Norimitsu 1st generation, though it has been abused, it is one of the biggest year deal. Try to find a signed ubu Kamakura blade by a noted swordsmith at this price ......

 

Hm... there is a reserve price.

 

Regards

[Jean]

I have noticed, but what can be the reserve price for such a blade? I hope that the dealer is not greedy

[Strider]

Thanks for the input guys. I also thought that an ubu blade should be longer than 26 inches, as for the mune ware, damage from actual use for such an old piece only adds to the mystery/history of the piece in my opinion. If the damage is from retempering or other abuse as was suggested, then that is another matter. I guess there is always a gamble when you can't hold something in your hand and examine it. I did not notice the damaged hamon, I quess I will have to go back and take another look. I have contacted the seller and requested the reserve but have had no response as yet. Were wooden habaki used because original was lost and something was needed for storage? Keep the opinions coming Scott

[Strider]

Well I took another look at the listing. Should the signature be on the other side for something that is allegedly 700 years old? I am by no means any kind of authority on Nihonto, but weren't swords worn edge down that long ago? This and the length have me confused, but that is why I visit this board. Scott

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

  Strider said:

Should the signature be on the other side for something that is allegedly 700 years old?

 

Quiet...a good... question... :?

[Ken-Hawaii]

FYI, I sent the seller an e-mail asking many of the abovementioned questions, but have gotten no response at all.

 

From my prior experience with him, I would also advise passing on this blade.

[Strider]

Well I heard from the seller, all he told me was that the habaki was not wood. It was my mistake because the photo looked like there were loose fibers on the inside of habaki and I assumed it was a wooden temporary piece. Oh well we learn somthing everyday [hopefully].As part of my research for this item, I had the thought that if this was indeed old, might it not be from the Muromachi period? I found a smith by that name and swords were being worn edge up. If possible, could Moriyama san have a look at the signature to verify? Thanks Scott

[Nobody]

  Strider said:

As part of my research for this item, I had the thought that if this was indeed old, might it not be from the Muromachi period? I found a smith by that name and swords were being worn edge up. If possible, could Moriyama san have a look at the signature to verify? Thanks Scott

The mei surely reads Norimitsu (則光). However, I do not judge its authenticity, as I am a biginner.

IMHO, the shape of the nakago does not look like that of sue Bizen.

 

FYI: one Norimitsu in Muromachi period (Bizen)

http://sinogi.dee.cc/katarogu/1711/nori ... 24491.html

[Jean]

Hi Koichi,

 

I do agree with you, Muromachi with its single handed swords have a short and stubby Nakago particulary Bizen swords.

 

In fact, nagasa starts to increase again starting Tenbun and in Tenmon we find long Nakago with currently 70cm + nagasa.

 

A 66cm nagasa sue Koto Bizen sword has a stubby and short nakago.

[roninjje]

if it were tachi mei yes the signature would be on the other side, but I have seen some with katana mei. If this were a tachi cut down, then th mei would be added later - meaning gimei, however to me it does not look cut down.