FUJIWARA TADAKUNI?? Please help.

[Alex A]

Hi Brandon, the styles you read about where likely the Hamon, not the mei. He worked in a wide range throughout his career. Take a look at my Tadakuni wakizashi below, look at the mei and the hamon. The mei has the "JO", that yours has , been a while since ive looked at it. The wak has NBTHK Hozen papers. The papers dont tell you the generation, so im guessing shinsa will still have you pondering. The Aoi art appraisel (well known sword dealer in Tokyo) has it down on the appraisel sheet as Tadakuni 1st, Josaku/wazamono ranking/ designated Harima Daijo at 37 years of age/ worked for Koshiro clan etc. When you buy a sword its natural that you want to know more about it, but as mentioned above, without the experience of seeing many examples, its difficult, a lot of books required. I think ive read somewhere that a later generation also signed Harima daijo, i think it was a Tadakuni thread on here. If your sword does get papered to Tadakuni, then i would be thrilled in any case. Take one step at a time, folk ponder over stuff like this for decades LOL.

[supergwit]

If your sword does get papered to Tadakuni, then i would be thrilled in any case.

 

 

Alex, first off, I love you. Awesome post. Thank you very much for all of that information. Secondly, I already AM thrilled. Even if this turns out to be a forgery this whole process has been exciting. Now I just have to figure out how to get it "papered". Google isn't really helping me all that much on my quest to figure how to do that.

 

If you don't mind me asking (and please don't feel obligated to answer), just how much would you value your tadakuni at? I've said before that I have no intention of ever selling this blade, but that doesn't stop me from wondering about it's monetary worth. Sentimentally - real or not - this is a priceless relic to be passed on to my children.

[Alex A]

LOL, Brandon, its half the price of a katana. Dont get too excited just yet!, a sword is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

 

NTHK Shinsa is in the states, you have just missed one. There are folk on here who can help you with Japan shinsa.

[Alex A]

A bit of a google as lead me to this page, you may find it interesting.

 

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=ik-E ... nd&f=false

[mywei]

After a quick comparison with a few examples in Eguchi's book I reckon the signature looks pretty good for 1st gen Tadakuni IMHO.

Mekugi ana placement and nakago look OK too.

[Geraint]

Brandon. First steps. There may well be someone in your area who can have a look at your sword but until there is another shinsa in the US run by either the NBTHK or the NTHK then no one can do that for you; be cautious of anyone who says that they can. Anyone who is able to help will be looking for typical workmanship of this smith, a good starting point for you either through web based research where you are looking for papered examples by this smith, or by buying the books and working out what you are looking for. The likely conclusion will be either that they think it is a good candidate for shinsa, which does not mean that it will pass, or that they think it is gimei, in which case you will probably go on hoping and wondering if it is the real deal.

 

Take it easy, you won't find out everything at once and when you start out on the Nihonto journey almost all you think you know will change over time. This is a fascinating area of study but there is soooooo much to learn.......

 

Just remember it is a hobby and one that your girlfriend might come to share with you but I think most girlfriends/wives/partners tolerate our obsession with a bemused air.

 

Have fun.

[Stephen]

You asked else where but ill post here, you have Nihontopileitis, best just back off learn about all the different aspects of your blade, names of the jihada, hamons etc. Plenty of time for papers after you have become a bit more learned in the field, nothing wrong with what your wanting we had it or still do so IMHO shinsa can wait.

[cabowen]

I will be bringing a NTHK-NPO shinsa team back to the US in another year or two. If you can't wait that long, it is possible to have the sword sent to Japan for evaluation. I am sending a few over the end of this month. If you want more information on how that works, email me.

[Jim P]

Hi Matt, IMHO I think you got it right :D

[Uechi]

One very important step if you are really interested in Nihonto( and not just this one sword) is to amass a library. Lots of information on the Internet but there is so much data and so many aspects of the study that books, lots of books are required. I also suggest you attend a legitimate Japanese Sword Show/s. There is one in Chicago Illinois, San Francisco, California and Tampa, Florida every year. Nothing beats looking at, holding and examining lots of swords.

 

Please note, you made the first and most common mistake ( I'm included ) you bought a sword without knowledge. If you are smart you will hold off on any other purchases till to gain a little knowledge,

 

As far as I know there is only one Shinsa a year in the USA. If you can't wait till next year you are stuck sending your sword to Japan, not a cheap option.

 

Good luck with your journey of discovery and knowledge it's what make the whole topic of Nihonto absolutely amazing and great fun.

 

JDromm

[supergwit]

Please note, you made the first and most common mistake ( I'm included ) you bought a sword without knowledge.

 

Respectfully, I must point out that I didn't buy this sword. It was handed down to me by my godfather. In all fairness, though, I have always been fascinated with Japanese swords and their creators. Only now I have more incentive to learn about them. This blade came into my possession rather unexpectedly, whereas if I had been looking to make a purchase I would have done much more research beforehand.

 

On a side note - I apologize for starting a new thread. I have always been under the impression that like a new thought begins a new paragraph, a new question should begin a new thread. I can see how that might be annoying.

 

Once again - thank you all for your insight (and patience).

[Uechi]

No problem, whether you obtained the sword through a purchase or it was given to you the comments apply with the exception of it being an error.Understand that Shinsa costs money and many many swords aren't worth the expense in time, money and effort. It helps if you can find a knowledgeable collector or sword club that can provide feedback on your sword prior to deciding on a shinsa. Perhaps there is a Japanese Sword club in New Hampshire?

 

JDromm

[Brian]

As Guido suggested, I have merged the 2 topics, and moved this to Nihonto section.

 

Brian

[supergwit]

I just found this sword and the mei seems to be the closest I've found yet to the one I have - can any of you tell me what the difference is (and perhaps an explanation for the difference) in those first few characters? The first is a link to the page, the second is a link to my wakizashi. Thank you!

 

http://new.uniquejapan.com/a-harima-kun ... wakizashi/

 

http://i1170.photobucket.com/albums/r53 ... 86f35c.jpg

[Alex A]

Hi Brandon, did you read the link above?. Its difficult for folk to flick between images for comparisons, especially when your mei/picture is not as clear/sharp as the example you put on. Much easier for you, as you have the blade in hand. You have been told above that your blade may be a possible Tadakuni 1st (no guarantees), not too sure whats on your mind. Your better off letting an expert see it in hand, as above mentioned, and then take it from there. Only so much can be done from photos.

[supergwit]

Sorry, Alex. I can see what you're saying. I'm definitely going to have the blade looked at by a professional whenever I can arrange that. The reason for that last post wasn't for my estimation of what the wakazashi is, rather I was curious about the wording (i.e. lettering) differences between the two photos. The two mei appear to be identical apart from those first two symbols on each one and I was just curious what the translations were on each one. You're absolutely right, though. I have blade in hand and the free time after work to stare blankly at it and fantasize about its colorful history. Better to just put it to rest for now until I've got the chance to show it to somebody well versed in the art.

 

As always, thanks for your time. Hope you all have an awesome weekend.

[Alex A]

No need say sorry pal , im learning too. Picked up a few tips whilst thumbling through this little budget shinsa, the main one being, il now be after the Hizento Hikkei book, more expense i presume.