The reconstruction of Ryusaishi Masashige

[Rich T]

NOTE: I have temporarily removed the images. They will be back up as soon as possible.

 

Cheers

 

Richard

 

The reconstruction of Ryusaishi Masashige (Kao) - 流采予 正重 (花押)

 

Some time ago, I purchased this Wakizashi solely for the nakago. The story was interesting, the history very good and added to that is my strong interest in the Suishinshi Masahide Kado of which Masashige was a part. All this played a large part in the final purchase decision.

 

The sword as found had many bad flaws including about 6 or more millimeters missing off the kissaki and many nasty chips along the ha. There was much discussion on the old NMB about whether or not it could be repaired, how the kissaki could be repaired, if at all, and what effect removing the chips would have on the basic shape of the sword.

 

I toyed for some time with the idea of sending it to Japan for polish and spoke to several respected people in regards to that. I finally sent it away about five months ago and was pleased to see it return yesterday in such fine condition. While the sword was in Japan, it also passed NTHK shinsa. The sword is a wonder to behold. The O kissaki, now CHU is amazing and there is no sign of any of the chips and the overall sugata looks not much different than what I sent up to Japan.

 

One small bug bear was that after all the hard work was done to repair so much damage, a small ware popped out in the yakiba, in the monouchi. Whilst this is not that desirable, it is easy to look past, for the time being anyway. I think that for what it was, to what it is now, one or two small flaws are such little problems.

 

I have attached a few images. The photos are bad, the scans worse but I am reluctant too spend to much time with the sword on the scanner and I need some more time to take better images. However, I have structured the images so you can see what was, and what now is as well as a few shots from the camera. There is also a translation of the nakago done by a friend in Japan.

 

I hope you enjoy.

 

Richard

 

Nagasa - 43 cm

Sori - 1cm

Kissaki Chu (was O)

Hada - Ko itame

Hamon - Midare Norate with Nie and Sunagashi

Boshi - Kaeri fukai, with sake hakate

 

 

The reading of the nakago is as follows

 

Omote:

 

RYUSAISHI ( Ryu-sai-shi ), MASASHIGE with kao ( swordsmith name ) Answer to a request by Shuuyo

( present Tokuyama-city ) Tsumori ( surname ) Yoshikiyo. Made this using excellent water of seventh

well ( place name? ) at KO-REY ( Suo, present Yamaguchi-city ).

 

 

Ura:

 

My ancestor had lost a MASAMUNE sword in the fire in the Eiroku era ( 1558-1569 ), since then a long time has passed. I was sad about this past fact. Now, fortunately, Ryusaishi forged this sword instead of the sword lost in the fire. This sword was delivered by using all his techniques. Yoshikiyo with Kao ( orderer ) Bunka ni nen ni gatsu hi ( Feb, 1805 ).

 

 

 

[Stephen V]

Hello Richard.

 

Wow ! I also love the detailed story carved into the nakago. Was this blade found in Australia or did you purchase from overseas?

 

Very impressive job of restoration. Your posting has re-invigorated my thoughts about having my poor wak (see my posts of 1/6 and 18/6) sent off for some much needed TLC.

 

I really had doubts that mine had enough integrity left to be able to bring out its hidden glory. But can now see what is achievable.

 

As you are also an Aussie collector, can you give me some info on how you went about returning your blade to Japan and the subsequent return to Oz? (export and import hassles etc).

 

I'm only a novice so do not really know any of the pitfalls and regulation that I might run up against. I suppose a PM would be appropriate to save clogging up the message board?

 

Thanks.

[Rich T]

yes, I am in Perth, I will PM but I use an agent to get the sword in and out of Japan, It was originally purchased from a guy in the US.

 

He had as a child, taken to the trees with it, his dad bought it home from the war.

 

Cheers

 

Richard

[Ken-Hawaii]

Absolutely gorgeous job, Rich! I doubt that I would have had your same level of belief that the blade could have been reshaped & restored that well.

 

I'm curious whether the restoration of the kissaki was done by the same togishi who polished it? And if you could provide a rough estimate of cost, I'm sure there are a lot of us who would benefit. I know togishi pricing, but have no clue on the cost of reshaping the kissaki. Thanks!

[Stephen]

nothing like a short story on the Nakago.... Great Post!!

[sencho]

FANTASTIC!!

[Rich T]

I'm curious whether the restoration of the kissaki was done by the same togishi who polished it? And if you could provide a rough estimate of cost, I'm sure there are a lot of us who would benefit. I know togishi pricing, but have no clue on the cost of reshaping the kissaki. Thanks!

 

 

Hi Ken, thank for that. Yes the Togishi repaired the kissaki. I have heard of some polishers sending them off to sword smiths to have the reshaped but I believe, any good togi worth his salt could reshape a kissaki.

 

I have not yet had an itemized account (just paid the bill) but I believe it added a few hundred dollars to the cost, it may have been 5 or 600 ?. Not too much in the scheme of things really.

 

I believe the shirasaya cost more LOL.

 

Rich

[Steve Waszak]

Congratulations, Rich, on such a superb result! Well done. I admire your vision and faith in believing the blade was reparable. Fascinating post, both for the nakago...and for the achievement of the toshigi. Congrats again...

 

Steve

[Jean]

Hi Rich,

 

A very fine blade, and above all congratulation for the pictures (you are too modest...)

[Brian]

Outstanding!

 

I love stories like this. Especially for the fact that you have taken a blade that was perhaps written off by many people and might have become an amateur polishing project or a grass cutter, and have returned it to a state that will ensure it will be around for centuries to come.

Excellent example of how we should never write off a blade until the experts have given their opinion. That reshaping of the kissaki is brilliantly done, and the boshi is still healthy.

 

Great pics, and a great story. Nice sword too, and I don't think the ware should be a problem. This one has a nice story to it too. Congrats!

 

Brian

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

Hi Rich. Congratulations and my respects for having preserved such interesting item. Such a long inscription is worth to be published.

[Jon Fury]

It's not often that I'm lost for words but this is one such occasion and I can only reiterate what's already been stated above.

Nice one Rich.

[Rich T]

your kind words are greatly appreciated.

 

Cheers

 

Rich

[Mark Green]

Hiya Rich,

That's a gem for sure. I had a feeling it would turn out nice, when I saw it 2 years ago, or more.

You may want to post what the final bill $$$ was for that project, for the education of our newer members.

Many new people to our obsession, do not realize that it takes thousands of dollors to restore an old gem like this.

Great pics!!!!

Mark G

[Darcy]

Amazing how well they can be restored. Glad to see it back in shape, you have to feel good about how well it turned out and that you gave it its dignity back esp. given the story on the nakago about how the owner felt. I remember when you found it and the nakago was posted on the old board and it was translated for the first time... cool stuff.

[Rich T]

thanks for that, yes, it is very satisfying. So many things could have gone wrong I guess.

 

Cheers

 

Rich