Bizen Morihisa

[diprivanman]

I just won a sword in auction.

It is signed Bishu Osafune Morihisa, Eikyo 4 nen 6 gatsu bi (1432)

Does anyone know of this smith?

The sword is quite long cutting edge (76 cm), which is what appealed to me.

The seller said there were no flaws, but there is 'masa-wale' and 'sumi-kogori'. I have not been very successful figure out what this is. I don't know if this is good or bad!

Thanks

Mike

[Ken-Hawaii]

I'm guessing that he meant "ware" instead of "wale," Mike. :? They are horizontal "lines" (splits) generally due to a poor weld between layers of steel, & can occur anywhere on the blade. Not sure about the "masa" part.

 

Nothing in my references about "sumi-kogori," either. :?

 

Probably should have had those clarified before you bought it; has the blade arrived there yet?

 

I'll have to get to my books later to check on the swordsmith.

[diprivanman]

I assumed the problem wasn't too bad as it has a NBTHK Hozon paper. I will clarify with the seller about if it is a ware or a 'wale'.

Thanks for help.

Mike

[diprivanman]

Here is a link to the sword

http://www.geocities.jp/kanetoyo2666/10sell.html

Can you identify the masa ware?

I have found out 'masa' ware is a flaw which goes with the grain in the hada (masame). It apparently is not usually too bad of a flaw, as long as it is relatively small.

Thanks agian

Mike

[John A Stuart]

Hi Mike, Here is a blow-up of the masaware that should be quite evident now. Not bad but it draws the eye away from the good attributes.

[diprivanman]

Ok, I see what you mean there.

Still it doesn't look that bad to me, and the sword is almost 600 years old.

I got it at a pretty reasonable price considering it is in polish, and it has a Hozon paper. It is also a quite long tachi (76 cm) which seems a bit longer than most I have run across in my price range (63-68 cm)

 

Thanks.

Mike

[John A Stuart]

Hi Mike, I have older swords that display various ware that are not fatal, they are just a part of it all. Can really get under your skin sometimes though . Kanetoyo has some deals sometimes, a few daisies amongst the weeds. John

[Darcy]

Page 92 :-).

[diprivanman]

Thanks Darcy!

Yes the Kozori.

Will be getting your book ASAP.

Nihonto is so fascinating. The more you learn, the more you find there is to be learned.

Take care

Mike

[Brian]

This seller is one of the few that seems to use this term Sumi Kogori.

Search the forum for this word, and you will see some threads where it was explained. I think the links are:

http://militaria.co.za/nihontomessagebo ... umi+kogori

http://militaria.co.za/nihontomessagebo ... umi+kogori

http://militaria.co.za/nihontomessagebo ... umi+kogori

 

Regards,

Brian