Self Studying a nice one.

[tokashikibob]

Recently what I expect to have been a special blade came to a small town auction. I went, and checked out a Bizen blade. It was pretty awesome and did some self study being able to handle it and look closely at it with a loupe for a long time.

it was defect free, in need of minor polish, and if you looked hard enough

under light with magnification it looked to be a very handsome mokume under the tarnish. There were phone

bids on hand, I was the only on floor bidder. Actually the only one who picked up the piece. I had to finally drop and eventually two phone bidders drove it up past 7 grand.

the winner took it for 8 grand total out of Virginia.

 

Semper Fi,

Bob

P.S. Belive it or not, it was a garage sale find sold by the Marine Vet himself

http://www.okinawarelics.com

[Tcat]

Hi again Bob,

 

Was it signed and do you have any more pics?

 

Regards,

[george trotter]

Because of the writing and the glare on the wood I can only read parts of the sayagaki:

 

Written by one of the Homma family in Meiji 26th year.

It gives the blade length 2 shaku 2 sun 7 bu and says it is suriage and mumei.

Gives a value in gold pieces?

It has an inscription to/for? a good friend----------?

 

Regards,

Edit to correct: I wrote Homma...I meant to write Honnami.

[DirkO]

代金五拾枚 - dai-kinsu go mai/Worth 5 gold coins

磨上無銘也 - suriage mumei nari/ it's suriage mumei, but judged (authentic)

長弐尺弐寸七分 - nagasa ni shaku ni sun shichi bu

 

Some clearer pictures might help...