Wakizashi in shirasaya

[felros]

Recently acquired this one,

 

I think it is Edo period.

Has a nice feel/balance, edge still sharp , no nicks.

Uninterrupted hamon.

Shows some nice grain , One small Fukure approximately 4mm.

Several Ware.

 

Blade length 67cm

Cutting edge 52.5 cm

Width at munemachi 5mm

 

Any thoughts ?

 

Regards,

Craig

 

 

[cabowen]

Craig-

 

Looking at the extended kissaki and saki-zori alone, I would agree with your estimate that the blade is most like Edo period, specifically, early Shinto.

 

The flaws could be a result of significant polishing and/or rather lower quality work. WIthout a shot of the blade from the nakago-mune, we can't really tell if it has seen significant polishing.

 

The notare with ko-midare elements is fairly common and non-distinct. We really can't see any jigane or activity in the ji-ba from the photos so it is difficult to make any conclusive judgements regarding quality or provenance accurately.

 

I think it is safe to say that it is not Bizen, Yamashiro, Yamato, or Soshu work. That leaves us with Mino (or a derivative) or waki work like Takada, etc. I would guess it would fall into the waki catagory without further info.

 

I would note as well that the shirasaya is rather low quality. We usually don't find high quality work in low quality koshirae, whether shirasaya or standard. There are of course exceptions but this is a very serviceable rule of thumb.

[felros]

Some better photos ,

Any information appreciated

Regards,

Craig

[Gasam]

  cabowen said:

 

The flaws could be a result of significant polishing and/or rather lower quality work. WIthout a shot of the blade from the nakago-mune, we can't really tell if it has seen significant polishing.

 

Heyas,

 

i am very interested in seeing an example of a blade (or more than one) shot from the nakago-mune, and a short explanation how to see if blade has seen much polishing or not. This is a great learning opportunity for me :-) even if a bit off topic. Maybe make new thread?

[Marius]

Gasam,

 

You look at the blade's mune and compare its thickness to the thickness of the nakago mune.

 

I recommend you buy this excellent book:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Facts-Fundamental ... 4770031300

[felros]

Trying to learn by oneself about Japanese swords is a difficult learning curve,

 

I put forward the following observations, as a novice they may all be incorrect.

 

In the hope of further narrowing down the blades maker/school and age.

 

I observe the following -

 

Blade shape - Shinogi Zukuri

 

Blade appears to have a tori-zori (kyo-Yamashiro) - Sori(curve)

 

Nagako - appears to be - Kuri in Shape

 

Boshi Shape - Appears to be - Omaru

 

Jigane - Appears to be Masame Hada with elements of mokume hada

 

Hamon - Appears to be Notare with elements of Komidare

 

Mune - Iori

 

Any input greatly appreciated,

Regards,

Craig

[Brian]

Appears to be a typical kazu-uchimono to me, of generic features. Sorry, just don't see you getting much closer to a maker and/or school with nothing really standing out. When you see these shortish nakago, ware and mumei, you have to consider it may not be possible to pin it down further. many of these were made purely for battle at a time when utility was more important than art. Not sure if this is one, but does tick the boxes. Anyone agree/disagree?

 

Brian

[Marius]

Brian,

 

I agree. Also, the nakago finish is sloppy - typical for mass production.

[Geraint]

Hi Craig,

 

Pinning a blade down to a school is not so easy as it might appear and certainly not as easy as ticking off the features of the blade. You note tori zori but Chris has already suggested saki zori; which is it? Sori is hard to judge unless it is extreme. You also note kuri jiri, what sort? (Have a look at ha agari kuri jiri.) You note masame hada; is that all over the ji or is it above the shinogi, or is it above the shinogi and near the ha?

 

The book that Mariusk recommended would be a great place to start but just when you think you are starting to 'get it' you will find that you learn something new that throws everything into question once again. It's all part of what makes this so much fun.

 

Enjoy

[felros]

Thank you for the replies and information, your input is greatly appreciated.

I am learning allot from researching this blade alone.

I can put this one back on the shelf with a much clearer picture of its history.

And a better knowledge base to study the next one, stay tuned.

 

Regards,

Craig

[cabowen]

  felros said:

Thank you for the replies and information, your input is greatly appreciated.

I am learning allot from researching this blade alone.

I can put this one back on the shelf with a much clearer picture of its history.

And a better knowledge base to study the next one, stay tuned.

 

Regards,

Craig

 

 

As Geraint succinctly notes, kantei is not an exact science. Many traits are subtle and different people will see them slightly differently. Some will put more emphasis on one trait and go in that direction, others will focus more on something else and go in a different direction. While anyone can toss out an opinion, and there is nothing wrong with that; just be aware that said opinions are worth price paid...Most shinsa judges have decades of experience handling many thousands of blades. There are no shortcuts; in hand experience with many many swords is what it takes to get into the deep water.

[kusunokimasahige]

So if this was a bundle sword could it not be predating edo ?

 

But then again, bundle swords might have been produced well into the Edo period due to equipment needs of the Shōgunate.

 

KM

[cabowen]

  kusunokimasahige said:

So if this was a bundle sword could it not be predating edo ?

 

But then again, bundle swords might have been produced well into the Edo period due to equipment needs of the Shōgunate.

 

KM

 

Sure....could be late Koto into early Shinto....