Mystery sword

[shonkz]

Picked up a project sword today. Told it was a mumei but when I looked closer, there was a hint of kanji. Not much, but something. It may not be discernible but wanted to put this out to get your perspective. Any input will be appreciated. Was told that this was a 'pilot sword'. Blade is about 14 inches long. Picked up for less than 400 bucks. Thanks so much. Pete

[hxv]

Pete,

 

The kanji looks like "Shu." Question: what do you plan to do with this sword?

 

Hoanh

[shonkz]

Thanks. Well, the handle pretty much disintegrated when I removed the replacement leather covering. Scabbard is lacquered but cracked in various areas. There is tsuba but not right for this blade. As for what I would do with this sword? I am not sure yet. Maybe practice sharpening? Pete

[Justin Grant]

I am not sure yet. Maybe practice sharpening? Pete

[Brian]

Maybe practice sharpening? Pete

We don't do that, discuss that or advocate that here at all.

The NMB policy is NO amateur polishing, no exceptions. The blade looks pretty far gone to me. Try some uchiko and see if you can make out the hamon. That habaki is the top half of a 2 piece one..is it on upside down?

 

Brian

[Bruno]

Maybe practice sharpening?

 

You just pronounced the magic words!

[hxv]

Pete,

 

It'll be pretty expensive to restore your sword, and in my opinion, it does not warrant the cost of proper restoration.

 

Shirasaya: $400 (for a wakizashi like your sword)

Habaki: $450

Polish: about $1400 for a blade with 14" cutting edge

Shipping cost: $50

 

You are looking at $2300 to restore this sword, and even then, with new shirasaya and new polish and new habaki, given the state of the nakago, you can't give it away for more that $700. The membership here can correct my assessment if I am wrong.

 

On the other hand, keeping it as is doesn't do much for your learning because you can't learn much from this blade. So, now, you are in a quandary.

 

If I were you, I would try to sell this blade and use the proceed to buy some basic books and study a bit more before buying.

 

I hope you won't take offense at my sincere recommendation.

 

Regards,

Hoanh

[Jean]

R.I.P.

 

EDIT TO ADD

 

Hoanh,

 

Sorry to disagree. Taking into account the importance of nakago in Japanese sword appraisal, I won't give 100 bucks for it. So, here is an important advice for every Nihonto would be buyers: ask the seller to remove the handle. If he cannot it means that there is a huge amount of rust, so beware.

[hxv]

Jean,

 

Yes, you are right, but I didn't want Pete to commit harakiri on his 20th post.

 

Hoanh

[shonkz]

Thanks guys.

 

Busting chops really makes me feel like a part of the community. Really appreciated it. I will keep the sword as it is since it looks like it was shortened/manipulated at some point anyway. I actually like the way it looks... as it is. It is not a copy and I can chop some wood with it. Just kidding.

[shonkz]

Here is another attempt to load a pic.

[kusunokimasahige]

Am I correct in seeing fire damage ?

 

KM

[shonkz]

Could be flood damage - picked up from Jersey shore. People are classy down hia. Fugetabouit.

[kusunokimasahige]

Say Pete,

 

Often when a blade has seen fire damage it shows in the blade itself and also in the nakago.

 

When a blade like yours is seen by many as deceased it still could have some activity but it

depends on whether a proper polish is viable. Polishing swords properly costs a lot of money.

To save swords they should only be handled by experienced Japanese trained polishers.

A polisher trains for years and years before he becomes proficient enough to make a blade reveal

its hidden potential.

 

That being said, we have had swords on here which looked awful but came out quite nice when polished.

See also this topic, now closed :

 

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8968&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=gunto+polish+polished

 

People on here speak their minds about a blade and never beat around the bush. That is not being unfriendly

but it is a way to learn. We also will tell the truth when someone comes by with a fake Chinese blade and thinks

it is a real one. To be this blunt is often necessary because the field of Japanese swords will take a long time of

study and learning. But it pays out at a later stage when you see the differences in quality and get better swords.

 

So take it from me, it is not meant mean.

 

Best wishes,

 

KM

 

PS: When you write in your first post that any input is welcome, you should not feel too bad that you are getting it

[shonkz]

Hi KM,

 

I took the comments as they are. I hope you realize that I really appreciate this forum because of it. I thought we were having a laugh so no offense taken. It was hilarious to see the comments fly after the cleaning comment.

 

To make myself a little better, I usually collect ww2 sword relics from Japan and Germany. My dad was born in Japan in 1940 and my wife's side of the family fought on the Soviet side. This is perhaps my seventh Japanese sword and I guess always enjoyed the historical significance over artistic elements. Having said that, I appreciate the swords displayed at the Met, Tokyo museum, or Cambridge, MA, etc. whenever I visit them.

 

Yes, I have been more of a lurker than a contributor on this particular forum and I understand that some people feel that they have....let's say more 'ownership' in the hobby. So be it. I personally would not ask what others would do with their swords, but whatever.

 

Hey, really appreciate your perspective and concern KM. Cheers. Pete

[shonkz]

KM,

 

Here's the same sword with a little polish. It is in a better lighting, but the quality of pic is still bad. Pete

[ROKUJURO]

....I have been more of a lurker than a contributor on this particular forum and I understand that some people feel that they have....let's say more 'ownership' in the hobby.....I personally would not ask what others would do with their swords......

Pete,

 

allow me to add a comment from my point of view.

 

Owning a 'piece of history' requires some responsibility. Perhaps you heard about the reactions when a Japanese billionaire announced to take his famous Van Gogh painting (was it the water lilies?) with him in his grave when he died. It was his painting, of course, bought for a mere 110.000.000.-- $, but it was (and I hope it still is) a unique piece of cultural and historical value, and as such belongs to humanity.

 

In my sight objects like these - and be it even a beaten-up WAKIZASHI bought for some small money - deserve respect and preservation, and maybe some research to find out their history. We do not own these, but we are allowed to hold them for a while and admire and protect them. Not looking at it's present condition, there was a lot of skillful work invested in it's production, and even if this blade was not made to be a JUYO, we have to respect the maker and his work.

 

So it matters a lot in my eyes what one does with his collected objects of history or arts.

[shonkz]

Rokujuro, I totally agree with you. Not to tune my own horn but I donated three of my swords in the past to individuals and charity. Another one I traded for another historic artifact. Yeah, getting a sword for a good deal has its perks but I think it is more significant to appreciate the swords as they are. I guess there were people who were more reckless in the past and I understand that sanpai members here wanting to continue the sacred tradition.