Is This Gimei?

[ggil]

I have it on good authority (person will remain unnamed) that 'JTK' is a sham kantei. I mean that they have/are purposefully working with eBay, and other on-line, non-reputable sellers to pass off gimei 1/2 rate blades as art blades. This/my blade was sold by Mitsuhiro Tekaya in 2008 along with the "JTK" origami. Mr. Tekaya was a NHM member at one point under the name FWIC2803 and has sold JUYO nihonto. (EDIT: removed the part about the sori because I was measuring it incorrectly). I have noticed that some people think that small school maker signed blades would be less likely to be gimei, but I am curious if mine has an authentic signature or not. Even the small schools had smiths that were highly respected (worthy of faking) in their day I think. I have no easy access to examples of signatures save 1 that is totally different, but there were multiple Tekada Fusamori smiths apparently.

 

When I bought it on evilbay a few months ago the seller listed it as 18th century hira-zukuri (hello! its traditional style) and then had a link with the photos from the 2008 sale which showed a post-it note in the corner of a photo with Tekada no Fusamori written on it. I found the sale on worthpoint and another website which showed the sale amount as $1995. When I was able to get it for $640 shipped, I thought I got a 16th century piece for a great price, but now am wondering if I simply got another old Japanese gimei weapon with little art value.

 

approximate measurements of the blade:

Thickness at the widest point at top of tang: .63cm

Thickness directly above the hibaki: .58cm

edge length: 43cm

tang length from the edge notch: 13cm

overall blade length: 57.5cm

 

I know some of you nihonto lovers out there have access to signatures and may be able to confirm the status of my blade by the signature alone. I tried to look very closely at the blade and see if it is multi-part construction (the edge should be a laminated layer of higher grade steel in art nihonto I think) but I have never seen another nihonto so I feel like my opinion is not that useful to anyone so gracious as to be taking time to help me.

 

I will say that the hibaki is nice and tight with a small bit of non-copper welded into the leading edge to support the blade from the ha-machi along with the mune-machi. The shirisaya seems custom made to the blade and the tang fits very tightly. The blade seems to my completely untrained eyes to be well preserved and it is razor sharp (you cannot see ANY light reflecting off the edge with it facing bright light). The point is very sharply defined and the hamon turns back at the point. The person writing the "JTK origami" wrote that the blade was made from 1532-1555 (http://nihontoclub.com/smiths/FUS6). For additional photos please see my original posting in the translation request section (viewtopic.php?f=15&t=17848)

 

I know that the moderators, top contributes of this board, and my mentor who informed me about JTK, are like-minded in that they would like me to get the knowledge to be able to tell for myself what this blade is but I confess my impatience. If it is any consolation, I have just purchased 2 books about nihonto and can't wait to read them. In the meantime if anyone would like to give me their opinion about my sword then I would be grateful, humble, and will likely learn more through listening.

 

My thanks goes to all those knowledgeable and enthusiastic nihonto lovers who have been so helpful,

 

-Grant

[runagmc]

I can't tell without doing some research if it's gimei or not (maybe not even after research), but from what I can see you probably did ok for what you paid. It looks like a Shinto/Shinshinto wakizashi to me. As long as there are no flaws that I missed, you shouldn't lose money on it. You can send it to the NTHK-NPO shinsa in Tampa if you want to get another papered attribution.

[Ken-Hawaii]

I agree with Adam that you did okay on your purchase, Grant. As I'm sure you've found out by hanging around here, unless you have attribution by NBTHK or NTHK, you almost have to assume that any blade is gimei. But that doesn't make it at all worthless...unless you bought it solely for what you thought was a valid mei.

 

Ken

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Grant,

You are measuring the sori incorrectly. The straight line you measure from should be from the tip of the kissaki to the mune-machi, not to the tip of the nakago.

Don't wait to read those 2 books and get a bunch more to read; they will help.

Grey

[Jussi Ekholm]

Yep that measurement difference will amount to the 0,5 cm difference.

 

I cannot say anything about the genuinity of the signature. But I searched for the info of this smith from my books, unfortunately I found very little. With this style of signing Fusamori there is only 1 smith in my indexes. Sesko's index has his background listed as Tsukushi Ryokai influenced, where as Hawley lists him as Taira Takada smith.

 

I think Seskos Index is more correct usually, so I would go with that. It lists him as a student of Tsukushi Ryokai Morizane. Here is some online info about Tsukushi Ryokai line: http://www.sho-shin.com/sai10.htm This link of Connoisseur's Book should pinpoint the classical characteristics of Tsukushi Ryokai, and Taira Takada is right below it: http://books.google.fi/books?id=zPyswmG ... ai&f=false

[ggil]

Thanks for looking Jussi, along with the information.

 

-Grant

[ggil]

To Adam,

 

I was not planning on selling it, but thinking about how much to spend of fittings if I chose to get a koshirae. If the blade is near 500 years old and made with multiple carbon content steel pieces, then I think it would be worth getting matching antique fittings but if it is a gimei shinshinto made in Maru fashion, then I would not want to put any money into it. Maybe I will wait till August and take it to the SF NTHK shinsa and see what they think about it. I just would rather make a smart decision and not waste $275 only to find out that it is gimei. For $1000 I could have got something NBTHK NTHK papered, but I guess that is a lesson learned. At least the sword has served to spark my curiosity.

 

Thanks for the response,

 

-Grant

[cabowen]

I think you did just fine. Shinto I would think.

 

The cost of putting together a koshirae will greatly exceed what you paid for the blade. Doubtful you will be able to recover the costs.

[ggil]

Chris and others,

 

Thanks for the kind words of encouragement. I am actually planning on building the koshirae myself. I am crafty with woodworking and there are resources for learning tsukamaki. Antique fittings can be found for cheap on evilbay. I found a beautiful old signed Tsuba for $90 (please see my other post for a pic of the abalone tsuba viewtopic.php?f=16&t=17943). Menuki, Fuchi, Kashira are the real trouble (expensive for decent quality antiques). I think I can put nice fitting sets together with stingrey pelt and real Japanese silk ito for $1000 with all the work done myself (granted it may take a few years for me to learn to get things right).

 

Knowing that I plan to do the work myself, are there any other suggestions that anyone would like to make?

 

Going to all the trouble of trying to learn and art form should not be attempted lightly, so I would rather know what blade I am working with. I will research the lines of smiths that Jussi has kindly given me. The Koshirae work will not be started any time soon as other more practical projects take precedence now. Someday I may be able to contribute to this forum with some nice pictures of an adventure in making sword furniture.

 

Back to the point, the consensus is currently (as always when non-papered): gimei shinshinto. The reason for assuming newer rather than koto is the tang rust not being as severe as it should for older blades along with the small difference in thickness from below to above the hibaki indicating less polishings. That along with the lack of flaws indicates newer than 16th century.

 

Thanks,

 

-Grant

[cabowen]

I wouldn't jump to a conclusion of gimei shinshinto absent and real proof. I think there is a very good chance that it may be Shinto and shoshin.

[Brian]

A nice shinshinto is better than a bad koto. Don't get too hung up on age or manufacture techniques. Always assume a sword is gimei...then get over the "names" issue and enjoy what you have. yes..it is almost certainly traditionally forged and folded. You did ok, you wouldn't lose money selling it.

NB - Read the FAQ above. Especially the part about "should I restore..."

 

Brian

[mdiddy]

Here is an NTHK papered Fusamori you can compare to: http://www.nihontoantiques.com/images/f ... 20copy.jpg I will see if I can find some sample oshigata and scan them for your reference.

 

Respectfully, a few corrections: Tekada Takada hibaki habaki shirisaya shirasaya

 

Knowing that I plan to do the work myself, are there any other suggestions that anyone would like to make?

1. Books, books, books

 

2. Try and practice tsukamaki with some cheap materials ($10 wore out tsuka off eBay, fake tsuka-ito, etc). If it's not working out consider leveraging professionals for tsuka and saya work. Any work with lacquer should not be taken lightly. For $1000 I think you could probably get some high quality work done for fitting your sword, and all in the U.S. too.

[ggil]

Thank you Matt,

 

I will definitely follow the good advice and practice. I really appreciate any effort in locating tracings for me. If your in the Bay area and need help with electrical, autos, PC's, or automation I can return the favor for your efforts. I know I have no idea what I am getting into making Koshirae but I have made a few pieces of decent art in the past and I feel this medium is the ultimate one period.

 

-Grant

[Barrie B]

Hi Grant,

Brave, attempting to make a complete koshirae from scratch.. You should buy the book 'Owari and Yagyu Koshirae' by Masayuki Sakairi, because it has a whole chapter/ section on Tsukashin Densho: The Secret True Transmission of Tsukamaki Techniques. I am sure there are other references on the net that you may be able to use as well..

Good luck.

Barrie B.

[ggil]

For what it is worth, the person who bought the sword back in 08 was named Peter Chevis, who was a known collector. the person who sold me the sword could only state that he got it from an estate sale. Mr Chevis passed away in Nov 2012. I am thinking about asking his survivors if they know anything about the blade. The reason I know who bought it in 08 is that Mr. Tekaya is anal enough about his nohonto sales to provide paperwork with his auctions.

 

It is at least a bit uplifting to know that a known collector thought enough of the blade to give $2000 for it, but then again he was rich, so it may not really say anything.

 

Another side note, a collector/artist/writer from this forum is interested in the acquiring my blade at present, for photo-ing the tang (for his book of tang/filing methods. He wants to acquire the blade as assumed gimei though, which I guess makes sense. I didn't know that Bungo tangs are rare at all. I hear they are rare because most collectors see only utilitarian value in them, and there are more mino & bizen blades out there (thanks Jean).

[pcfarrar]

Another side note, a collector/artist/writer from this forum is interested in the acquiring my blade at present, for photo-ing the tang (for his book of tang/filing methods. He wants to acquire the blade as assumed gimei though, which I guess makes sense.

 

Didn't take long for the "sharks" to move in. :?