restoration - yes or no?

[takamatsu]

Hi to all!

 

I'm in a bit of a predicament with this tanto. Having it's original mountings, I am considering whether to restore the grip or not. Blade (cutting edge 26,5cm) is out of polish but with a pretty nice hamon.

On one hand I don't want to change something of the original material because it belongs to the object. On the other hand it's a shame to the blade having such dirty and worn bindings on the tsuka, so... I really don't know.

 

What do you think? If it's your tanto, how would you decide?

 

Any opinions on the age and maker by the way? Attributed to late edo by the seller.

 

Thank you all for your help!

[takamatsu]

some more pics

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Michael,

I think the blade is later than Late Edo, Meiji maybe or even as late as Showa (basing this mostly on the sloppy nakago). If I'm right in this, then the tsuka likely is older and your tanto is put together out of pieces, not an original set. Again, if I'm right in this, then I wouldn't spend any more money on it.

But others may have a better idea.

Grey

[mdiddy]

From a purely financial perspective, I would leave as is. However if you treasure the blade then you could get it done.

 

I agree with Grey on Meiji period.

[Marius]

What do you think? If it's your tanto, how would you decide?

 

I would sell it and not invest a cent in it. Unless it were part of my family history. Then, cost does not matter as much.

 

As for your blade - it is not what I could call good. A crappy Meiji/later blade or a broken/hagire blade, shortened and mounted. The nakago is very very bad, a sloppy job, like so many in the Meiji period.

 

Put it on eBay, buy something decent, learn. Actually, read and learn first, then buy something decent.

 

BTW - could you be more specific - what do you mean with "nice hamon"? Nice like what? It is undulating, yes. What else is nice about it? Do you understand what a good hamon is, and what it looks like? I can assure you, it is not the pattern which makes a good hamon.

Also - the tsuka seems to disturb you. I don't think it is a great piece, but you should be careful in general, when you see such pieces - one day you'll have a valuable koshirae destroyed, because it must be clean and new.

[Brian]

Can't say I agree completely with Mariusz (and a little more subtlety would go far) but he does have some valid points.

Yes...I think it is Meiji, but I don't think it is a Showato. The fittings are of a common and lower end type, but they all match. If the mekugi ana lines up, then I think this is the original fittings.

Now the blade isn't wonderful. It has had an acid polish, and the fact that the hamon is prominent doesn't make it a good hamon. But it is real and probably at least 100 years old, and I think has old fittings.

Also, that style of string wrap is a nice one, and not the common wrap.

So you have an average tanto, but complete and with low class and common fittings. I wouldn't spend a lot of money restoring the wrap, and if someone does offer you a decent amount, it will be one to upgrade eventually. But that's how many of us started, and progressed from there. Better than a lot of the stuff you see out there.

 

Brian

[Geraint]

Dear Michael.

 

Have you picked yourself off the floor yet? If we are right that the tanto blade is very late and not of great quality then the koshirae is entirely appropriate. The fittings are of a late type commonly encountered though they are very dirty. If you feel like investing in a re wrapped tsuka then you probably ought to think about a polish and this would be good money after bad in the sense that you are still going to be left with a poor quality tanto in poor mounts which will have little appeal for you as you become more accustomed to what good quality blades and koshirae are like. This one is not a keeper, trade it on.

 

All the best.

 

I see my post crossed with Brian's, same thoughts though.

[runagmc]

The mounts look like they were surprisingly carefully put together, considering that all the parts (including the sword) are low end... I think the mounts look fine like they are... worn and inexpensive - but well put together...

[uwe]

Nevertheless, a piece of history. :|

 

Uwe

[Marius]

Can't say I agree completely with Mariusz (and a little more subtlety would go far)

 

Brian,

 

I am just developing my own, sarcastic style. In the initial phase it might have bordered on rudeness, for which I apologise. I'll try to be just sarcastic, never rude. My paltry attempts are a far cry from the style of board luminaries like Reinhardt, but I feel there is a need for some evil character here (evil like ). I know, I'm not in the same league as those legendary guys, but I am trying OK, I should perhaps add a bit of dry humour, this should make my rants more acceptable. As said, I am still in search of a style

[John A Stuart]

I think another long look at the fittings is warranted. Yamagane, well fashioned. Those menuki are grabbing my attention. I wish I could see them more clearly. A little TLC cleaning and new itomaki would tidy up the koshirae a bit. That is where the geld is in this purchase perhaps. Anyhow at this point I wouldn't be so hasty to dismiss this tanto. Cup half full John

[1tallsword]

leave it the way it is and enjoy it. there are enough restored items out there. appreciate it for what it is and thats a good piece of history, I like it and its patina, if you like it than that's all that matters. at the end of the day its yours and if you like it good, no one else has to like it and it don't matter what they say cause its not theres, the only person that needs to like it is you!

[Grey Doffin]

The reason I was thinking this is put together from available parts is because I like the tsuka much more than the blade. It doesn't seem likely that the tsuka, with passable menuki and nicely done wrap, would have been made for such a low end blade. Seems more likely that the tsuka fit the nakago (possibly after a bit of file work on the edges of the nakago) and was put there to make the kit salable to Meiji or later western tourists.

Just a thought.

Grey

[Surfson]

Thanks for sharing this and posing the question. You are getting somewhat diverse answers.

I'm not sure it is as late as Meiji - it might be earlier based on the dark patina. I'm also not wild about the condition or shape of the nakago; it shows some recent damage, which detracts. A polish would likely not be worth the investment, unless you have an attachment to it as mentioned above.

The mounts on the other hand are not bad. As mentioned, I like the string wrap, the menuki look like they may be fairly good, and the fuchi kashira look to have two different metals in them, a darkened copper band on the inner aspect as well as the yamagane. Even more appealing is that the fuchi kashira appear to be en suite with the tsuba.

If it were mine, I would be having the debate that you are having - is it worth having the handle wrapped? I think that with some new same and a simple wrap, it would be an attractive, en suite piece. In that case, I would view the blade as a steel tsunagi.

Cheers, Bob

[Alex A]

Hi Michael, i can what your thinking, new wrap maybe?, not too expensive?, its your call. Certainly would make it a bit more pretty, allthough i think leaving it as is, is best. Allthough not likely an original koshirae, i think what you have as a feeling of authenticity. Taking that away, i think may be detrimental and may put off future buyers who may be a little intrigued by the koshirae, new wraps are 10 to a dozen and of no interest, hope you see my point. In my opinion, dont change old.

 

If you want to do some assembling, find a bare blade, usually cheaper and you will learn a lot from it.

 

Alex.

[takamatsu]

Thank you very much for all of your inputs! Some differences out there, but that's the good one with such a member board! :D I know that it is a low end tanto, but as said... most people started their collection this way. I am aware that there are dozens of better blades out there, but I like this piece. Think I will keep it in it's current condition. The menuki also took my attention, but I can't make them more visible without damaging the wrap.

Again, thank's for your help and better blades will follow...

[Dr Fox]

Michael

 

What have you got? A honest piece thats not pretending to be anything else. Ok the wrap to say the least is untidy, but you have already had a nice comment on the cord. Change that and what next, a blade polish because that now looks scruffy?. For me leave it alone, enjoy it for what it is, a dandelion will never be a rose, but they can both live in the same garden.

 

Denis.

[takamatsu]

a dandelion will never be a rose, but they can both live in the same garden.

 

well spoken

[ironron]

The beauty is in the patina, aquired over the years ,,leave well alone & enjoy it as it is.

[Brian]

I am just developing my own, sarcastic style. In the initial phase it might have bordered on rudeness, for which I apologise. I'll try to be just sarcastic, never rude. My paltry attempts are a far cry from the style of board luminaries like Reinhardt, but I feel there is a need for some evil character here (evil like ). I know, I'm not in the same league as those legendary guys, but I am trying OK, I should perhaps add a bit of dry humour, this should make my rants more acceptable. As said, I am still in search of a style

Ok..granted, with the loss of Reinhard, and Guido playing in the background....there is an opening on the forum. But promise to throw in the occasional smiley or 2...and practice that dry humour, and you can dabble in that role for now. :lol:

I'll be the forum misanthropist though.

 

Brian

[Dr Fox]

Brian, but I feel there is a need for some evil character here (evil like )

 

Does this mean the board is getting its own Simon Cowell? Really?

 

Denis.

[Marius]

Ok..granted, with the loss of Reinhard, and Guido playing in the background....there is an opening on the forum. But promise to throw in the occasional smiley or 2...and practice that dry humour, and you can dabble in that role for now. :lol:

 

Brian, I feel flattered. You set the bar very high. I promise to do my best to deserve to have a try. And yes, I will be generous with those smileys :D

 

 

I'll be the forum misanthropist though.

 

A benevolent misanthropist. Quite a feat :D

[loiner1965]

My take on this little tanto.....

The owner likes it a lot and for a little outlay it could look a real nice piece, I would re-wrap the handle and give the blade to a polisher to tidy it up.

I had 2 blades polished in the past..... A gunto by kanetoshi which shows off a beautiful itame nada and it's suguhu Hamon very well even though this sword being hand made as a seki stamp

The other is a nice wakizashi by kiyomitsu but during the final polishing stage an umegame was disturbed and pulled out so to speak but I still love the blade as to me I am preserving history and keeping blades which otherwise be discarded etc.

I do not wish to profit from my swords as I intend to keep as long as I can

[Marius]

George,

 

I can't always bash other people's purchases. So I bash every second one

 

Seriously - the former sword's price means it was bought for less than the value of the tsuba and f/k. The latter sword's price is unknown, perhaps it was bought for $150, too?

 

The latter's nakago is badly reshaped, the former seems to be in better condition (although we don't have the picture of the bare blade or of the whole nakago).

 

I might be dead-wrong. Both might be very good or very bad.

[george trotter]

Hi Mariuszk,

fair enough. I agree, it is hard to be 100% definite just from pics.

Regards,

[Marius]

George,

 

I still think you were right pointing out, that these two opinions of mine were not exactly consistent

[kunitaro]

I think that most of un-restore items on market are for sale "as this", because restoration cost will not cover its value.

 

and Collecting or studying Japanese sword is not only for Investment or money game.

 

Being possess of Nihonto as "Soul of Samurai" is different from collecting simply "Work of Art".

I think that Samurai sword lover comes to have responsibility to preserve the "Spirits of Samurai" as well, to learn the essence of it and try to train ourself up spiritually higher level.