Thoughts on age or possible school for mumei wak?

[CurtisR]

Hello all,

 

I am seriously considering trying to acquire this wakizashi from a private seller...the nakago doesn't look "falsely aged" but does look perhaps legit shinto? Thought I'd run it by you all with far more knowledge than I, and see if I'm in the ballpark. The hamon is very active and pretty, although it does need a polish / and is currently in shirasaya. The blade has a slight bit of pitting Appears to have soe polishes on it's record (see photo) but still in nice shape from what I can tell. Also not really sure why the extra hammer strikes to thin the tip of the nakago (re-heated perhaps?)

Any thoughts are appreciated!

 

Total length -

 

Sincerely,

Curtis R.

[CurtisR]

here are a few more - thanks again!

 

Curtis R.

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Curtis,

I don't think those are hammer strikes on the nakago; looks like bad corrosion to me. The patina of the nakago looks wrong and the yasurime have been messed with. Hard to see much with the hamon but some of the closeup makes it look like heavy kesho rather than actual hamon. And the kissaki may have been reshaped after suffering a break. Be careful.

Grey

[Alex A]

May be the lighting in the pics, but to me, the nakago looks like it as been treated with rust cure.

[CurtisR]

Hi Grey,

Wow - when I "stand back" from the kissaki as one would a painting, I can see what you mean about it possibly having been re-shaped. Wild!

I was also thinking the patina on the Nakago was "too much" when compared with the rest of the piece, but doubted myself. I thought at first perhaps it'd been in a fire, but the rest of the blade says "no". Maybe it WAS chemically aged...I'll check it under strong sunlight/magnification tomorrow. I suppose if I reversed the blade w/ the nakago patina-wise it would look highly suspicious. Ahhhh the little clues - fascinating! Thanks Sir & if I learn more I'll pass it along. Thanks!

 

Curtis

[Jamie]

I am curious, what makes you call this an active hamon?

I don't see it. It may just be the combo of photos and polish. Do you see hatarki?

What activity do you see?

 

Best regards

Jamie

[Alex A]

Reminds me of a wak on here some time ago, that too had a black tarnish on the habaki/peg. Possibly the same blade.

[echizento]

I agree that the nakago is corroded and has been messed with. IMO the kissaki doesn't look reworked, however what I'm seeing is a tired blade that has had too many polishes.

[cabowen]

Too many red flags, not enough quality. I would leave this one alone.

[Geraint]

what makes you call this an active hamon?

I suspect that what Curtis is referring to is the outline of the hamon rather than the activity within it.

[Brian]

Kissaki has been reshaped to remove a broken tip..very obvious.

Nakago patina is wrong...too dark, and uneven. Hamon is etched to bring it out...ferric chloride I think.

It may clean up ok, but with a lot of money. Probably ok at around $350.....not much more imho.

 

Brian

[CurtisR]

Hello All,

Yes Geraint, that was exactly what I was referring too - perhaps not the best or proper term but you nailed it. Perhaps "vibrant" would have been a better word....

 

To Chris, I completely agree with you now that I see them all stacked together (the clues) like poke chips...I was going to offer a couple of hundred to "you know who" but at this point I'm going to let it be. I've just started looking for a decent wak (he has one I'm in love with) but not at the price of my soul, eh?

 

Also to Chris, may I PM you?

 

Thank you all and I'm at least glad that these things stuck out to me enough to ASK vs. crying in my (which still tastes fine btw, even with tears, Just sayin' :lol: ),

 

Have a great weekend all, and here's to finding that "diamond" just around the corner ~~~

 

Curtis R.

[CurtisR]

IF this had in fact been a legit, un-altered blade, would the general consensus be that the form (sori, shinogi, etc.) WOULD be of the Shinshinto era style?

 

If I've phrased this wrong I apologize in advance but hope it gives the general 'gist' of what I'm asking (to see if I'm learning the blade & period styles)?

 

Many thanks as always,

 

Curtis R.

[Brian]

Because in the Shinshinto period they were experimenting and copying old styles, I don't think you can pinpoint that era from sugata, sori etc. You would have to look closer at the steel itself and nakago.

 

Brian