Opinions please-- Horimono

[JH Lee]

What do you think about this horimono? From what I understand, such horimono are/were often added to hide various flaws. Does having elaborate horimono like this one ultimately add to the overall value of a sword or decrease it? Or is such "value" ultimately just in the eyes of the beholder? Thank you in advance for your feedback, everyone.

[cabowen]

The blade appears modern. Who made it?

 

The quality of the horimono appears average-not as bad as some we have seen here but nothing exceptional.

 

By the location of this horimono, I would be inclined to suspect that it was indeed added to cover flaw(s). Normally, it would have been located closed to the ha/mune machi.

 

Good horimono can add value, bad or those added later to cover flaws, if awkwardly done, can detract from the value.

[JH Lee]

The blade appears modern. Who made it?

 

I am told it is: "Hizen-koku Yasunori"

 

To me, this horimono looks really beautiful. Then again, I can't even draw this well with pencil. I couldn't even imagine the kind of patience and talent it would take to carve this into steel, one millimeter at a time. I just wish I knew what the heck is happening in the image. Why is there a dragon climbing all over that ken? Sorry if that's a silly question. I know even less about Japanese mythology/symbolism than I do about swords.

 

Maybe with the proper polish, this sword would look really tremendous as a display piece.

[cabowen]

Can you post a photo of the signature?

[JH Lee]

Well, I was told the name from my friend (not available at the moment). I can't read Japanese/kanji... and there seems to be writing on both sides. If one side is the name, what does the other side say??

[John A Stuart]

That is the date, Showa 49, 1974. John

[JH Lee]

That is the date, Showa 49, 1974. John

 

Thank you!!!

[k morita]

Hi,

His family name is Motomura.

Motomura Yasuori(元村 保則) was a son of Motomura Kanemoto(RJT).

[JH Lee]

Hi,

His family name is Motomura.

Motomura Yasuori(元村 保則) was a son of Motomura Kanemoto(RJT).

 

Incredible! I just joined this board, and I am already blown away/thoroughly humbled by the incredible knowledge and helpfulness from people. I hope one day, I will be even 10% as knowledgeable as you all. But I suppose that will not be possible as long as I cannot read/write Japanese. :?

[Baka Gaijin]

Good morning JohnL

 

But I suppose that will not be possible as long as I cannot read/write Japanese. :?

 

Go to the very top of this page and press KANJI PAGES

 

Your voyage of discovery begins there.............

 

 

Cheers

[Geraint]

Hi John.

 

The dragon and ken image is popular both as horimono and for other fittings. I have swiped this from Kevin at Ryujin, (http://www.ryujinswords.com).

" Dragon with ken sword (Kenmaki-ryu). In esoteric Buddhism this symbol represents a manifestation of Fudo Myo-o, Kurikara Ryujin, coiled round a sword. " Lots more to research but that's a start. It is a powerful image in any culture, don't you think?

[JH Lee]

This sword FINALLY arrived!!!

 

Whew. Patience is definitely a huge part of this particular obsession/hobby.

[JH Lee]

By the location of this horimono, I would be inclined to suspect that it was indeed added to cover flaw(s). Normally, it would have been located closed to the ha/mune machi.

 

Good horimono can add value, bad or those added later to cover flaws, if awkwardly done, can detract from the value.

 

Well, I spent some time with it today, after removing it from the package and cleaning it. Immediately jumping out at me were two huge flaws on the side of the blade with the horimono, near the tip of the blade.

 

For 5K, I was honestly expecting better.... Although I know some of you have spent just that much on supreme kodogu (probably a better investment). I think I just had a very expensive lesson not to get dazzled by things like horimono.

 

Now that I've identified some of the major flaws in the blade, I am going to spend a few days trying to see the good and learn what I can before passing it on in the classifieds here (with a suitable donation, of course). So, stay tuned for that if you're interested. Clearly, I'm not going to get my investment out of it. But live and learn....

[Marius]

Perhaps the seller has a return policy? Or was it bought on eBay?

 

As Chris has already said - quality of the horimono is average.

 

The sword itself seems quite OK, I wouldn't worry too much about the flaws (do you mean the tate ware in the shinogi ji?), although they are not desirable.

 

For $5k you haven't done too bad.

[JH Lee]

It wasn't through eBay.... Just a private transaction between individuals, so no return policy. But I'm a firm believer in "caveat emptor." If there are unsatisfactory elements to the blade, it is my own fault for not asking for more detailed photographs.

 

All things considered... even with the oddities (horimono too far forward) and flaws (tate-ware as well as a shinogi-ware)... it really is quite a spectacular blade to behold. I'd even go so far as to use the word "beautiful." But such things are in the eyes of the beholder. I think this sword has a lot of what I'd call "character." And I think it will be a good "teacher" for me about how to appreciate and handle such things in person before it finds a new home.

 

Ironically, now I am enjoying the side without the horimono, even though that was what initially drew me to this blade. Go figure!

[runagmc]

I wouldn't feel so abused... new collectors have done A LOT worse at times...

 

At least from what I can see... and IMO...

[estcrh]

It wasn't through eBay.... Just a private transaction between individuals, so no return policy. But I'm a firm believer in "caveat emptor." If there are unsatisfactory elements to the blade, it is my own fault for not asking for more detailed photographs.

Not to make you feel bad but as a learning experience for other individuals who may be contemplating a sword purchase without the proper knowledge to know if they are actually buying a good sword or not.......#1. find sword you like, #2. post pictures and description here, #3. listen to the feed back and do not get your feelings hurt if you are subsequently told that the sword you like is not actually that nice, #4. repeat steps #1. through #3. until you get the right feed back....or spend years studying before making your purchase.

[JH Lee]

Not to make you feel bad but as a learning experience for other individuals who may be contemplating a sword purchase without the proper knowledge to know if they are actually buying a good sword or not.......#1. find sword you like, #2. post pictures and description here, #3. listen to the feed back and do not get your feelings hurt if you are subsequently told that the sword you like is not actually that nice, #4. repeat steps #1. through #3. until you get the right feed back....or spend years studying before making your purchase.

 

Clearly, I got stuck at #1. But I shall endeavor to do #2 ~ #4 in the future.

 

Still, all things considered, I think this is quite a beautiful blade with a lot of presence and character.

 

After I "ooh" and "ahh" at it some more, show it around to some friends at the local university who can help tutor me in some of the finer points of sword appreciation... it'll find its way to the classifieds here, where I hope to get at least some of my money back (don't worry, I know I won't get the full $5K by far). And next time, I'll definitely seek a lot of feedback here before I buy.

[Brian]

The horimono is really not terribly done, and the hamon is attractive. At $5K for a shinsakuto...even with flaws, you didn't do badly. An iaito costs that much, without a horimono.

Take the lesson learned, but don't lose too much sleep over it, as I think it is still a nice blade, and you won't lose too much on it. You have a study blade...a nice hamon one side, and a horimono to study on the other.

 

Brian