Info on sword please

[Paul Dell Aquila]

Hi Everyone,

 

This is my first post. I acquired this sword and was wondering what the board thought of it. Also is it worth a polish?

 

Paul Dell'Aquila

[Guest Nanshoku-Samurai]

Hello Paul,

 

this is a Mino school blade. Just from a quick look it is signed Kane Zane (?). Probably a late Muromachi periode blade from what I can see. Approx 400 years old.

 

I think there are two flaws above the ride line judging form your pictures.

 

Someone will hopefully be able to pin down the smith.

 

Regards,

 

The soft Max

[Brian]

Consolidating the second post about it....

[Darcy]

I thought it looked more like Kanehisa: 兼久.

 

Shinogi looked Yamato but hamon does look Mino which shouldn't be a surprise with Yamato like features.

[Paul Dell Aquila]

Hi Darcy,

 

Thanks for the input. Any thoughts on whether it is worth a polish? My future father-in-law gave the sword to me. His grandfather brought it home from the war.

 

Paul

[Nobody]

Hi,

 

I think that the mei reads Kanemoto (兼元). But I do not know if it is genuine or not.

[Guest Nanshoku-Samurai]

I think Darcy is right with Kanehisa. If it is worth a polish will depend on its condition (motokasne, any kiizu?), length and if the smith is rated high enough (assumng the Mei is legit).

[Paul Dell Aquila]

Hi Nanshoku,

 

Thanks for the info. The total length of the blade is 34.5 inches and the length from the mune-machi is 27.25 inches. I have also included a full length photo.

 

Paul

[sencho]

Not to argue your points again Darcy, but after looking at oshigata of various examples of both Kanehisa and Kanemoto in Toko Taikan and Nihonto Toko Jiten, I would say that it looks closer to Kanemoto as Moriyama san says.....

 

Cheers

[remzy]

The hamon screams to show off on this one (but then again, im sold to mino school!), even with the extremely messed up polish! Id say it would be worth polishing if you are willing to invest in it, i dont know about the defects and flaws on it tho, but my humble guess would be that they arent fatal.

[Paul Dell Aquila]

Hi Everyone,

 

I was wondering if anyone has a recommendation on who to send the sword to for a polish. Also, should I send it to a shinsa?

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Paul

[Mark]

Are you able to attend any sword shows in the U.S. ? If so there will be sword polishers in attendance you could show it to. You could also ask the opinion of some of the more advanced collectors. When it comes to polishing a sword it is best to make decisions slowly, do not rush, that way you will have the best outcome

[Paul Dell Aquila]

Hi Mark,

 

I appreciate the response. Thanks for the info.

 

Paul

[Darcy]

I never looked at the references was just trying to read the characters. The very last generation documented in Fujishiro has a Moto that is shaped like this, but for the most part the smiths signing Kanemoto didn't make them like this. They tend to be very angular.

 

Not sure what the comments are about debating my points, I didn't raise any.

[sencho]

I thought you raised at least 3, however my plural was a mistake... seems like I have tried to raise an argument with a couple of your recent posts, Darcy... it was just to say it was not to provoke you, rather to further my novice understanding of what you have posted... thanks for your insight.

 

By the way, I got your book and read a lot of it during 9 hours to London, 4 hours layover and 12 hours to Tokyo then further 2 to Yokohama... glutton for punishment??... yes!!... (flight not book!)... but just got back from Ueno and the Tokyo National Museum, visited between meetings, and I am a happy bear!!... I recommend it to all

 

Cheers!

[Darcy]

I raised no points in regard to the mei or an attribution to a smith, just tried to read the characters.

 

The other statements about shinogi and hamon were supporting the separate idea that it was a Mino blade. Had nothing to do with the mei or an attribution.

 

I am not an expert, I am only middle level and I don't take offense at all if people are going to post opinions that disagree with mine. Rather, I lose learning opportunities if I am wrong on something and someone withholds information that is correct... and in the inverse case supporting your argument in depth helps you understand your own point and can bring about more learning opportunities.

 

If it can be done without personalizing a response, which sets up an air of conflict that drives people further away from sharing opinions, I think that is best for the board. Just my 10 cents, as I'm not going to be posting much if a pattern establishes itself where people will be always framing their own opinions in contrast to mine, that would be a big pain in the ass :-).