Nagamitsu o-wakizashi restoration advice

[Ted]

This is my first Nihonto and I need advice on restoration and comments as to some damage of the kissaki. Original origami 1953 which is lethal registration from Japan states:

Maker- Nagamitsu Grand father of Kanemitsu

Length -1 shaku 9 sun 3 bu 0 rin

Sori-0 sun 6 bu 0 rin

Mekugi-ana 3

cultural asset/treasure protection agency

stamped date: "Showa" 28 (= 1953), May 28th

I know it needs expert polishing and I'm willing to put the money into it if you guys think it is worth it. Can the kissaki be "saved". Also I know it is near impossible to give value without close personal inspection, but given the age (1290's-1300) what could this blade be worth fully restored?

The only flaws I have been able to see are in ha (slight chip in ha but very tiny near kissaki and of course bent kissaki) And also very light surface rust. Amazingly some hamon is visible- gentle waves and mune is ihori. Sorry if I got some terms wrong, I continue to study.....

Thanks to eveyone for any help

By ted111, shot with DSC-W70 at 2007-09-03

By ted111, shot with DSC-W70 at 2007-09-03

By ted111, shot with DSC-W70 at 2007-09-03

By ted111, shot with DSC-W70 at 2007-09-03

By ted111, shot with DSC-W70 at 2007-09-03

By ted111, shot with DSC-W70 at 2007-09-03

By ted111, shot with DSC-W70 at 2007-09-03

By ted111, shot with DSC-W70 at 2007-09-03

By ted111, shot with DSC-W70 at 2007-09-03

By ted111, shot with DSC-W70 at 2007-09-03

By ted111, shot with DSC-W70 at 2007-09-03

[Darcy]

Ted, your sword is not an o-wakizashi but it is a kodachi by the signature and the size. This is a small tachi.

 

Whether or not the signature is genuine is another issue, it looks very new and the nakago doesn't seem very old. The sword though does look more like a kodachi than a wakizashi. I think the signature is no good personally, without consulting references, looks kind of sketchy.

 

So the first thing you need to know is whether or not this signature is genuine beyond armchair opinion. If it is a signed, legitimate Nagamitsu then this is a Juyo caliber work and you're talking very big bucks. I don't think, offhand, that it is legitimate. The registration papers are not worth anything in terms of confirmation.

 

I would suggest your first step should be finding an agent to submit this to the NBTHK to clear up the signature.

 

The kissaki is fine, it can be fixed by a polisher.

[Ted]

Thanks Darcy for the Info and I will definately be heading to do that. I can tell you the provenance was a private collection., purchased from grandson of man who received it in Japan, which I know still dosen't mean anything, but what about the papers being signed and stamped by a K. Matsumoto member of sword appraisal committee Japanese government. Was this a legit body prior to NBTHK?

Also do you have a contact or link for agent to the NBTHK? Also the origami said wakizashi, I thought it was an o-wakizashi because I measured 58cm and it was less than 2 shaku. I am greatful for the knowledge here at these boards!

 

Thanks again

[James]

I just sent a wakizashi to Colin Griffiths at http://cgfinearts.com/ to get appraised by the NBTHK.

If you are serious about getting it sent to Japan for NBTHK origami then you will have to get it sent to Mr Griffiths a.s.a.p. since he's sending the shipment of swords to Japan on the 13th or 14th of this month for November's Shinsa.

[Ted]

OK I will Thank you very much. This is what I have right now.

By ted111, shot with DSC-W70 at 2007-09-03

[Brian]

Ted,

 

The torokusho (registration document) in Japan just says that a sword is registered legally there, and is supposedly traditionally made.

They don't verify signatures or make any comment about importance or value. It is purely a licence that says "this sword, identified as such and such, is legally owned and licenced" basically.

Here is some info on the process: http://www.nihontokanjipages.com/japane ... _laws.html

 

regards,

Brian

[Ted]

Thanks for clearing that up for me, do you think I should submit to NBTHK? And what is approx. cost? I have emailed Colin Griffiths. Or do you think I should first submit to US NBTHK branch.

Thanks again for all you advice

[Mark]

The American Branch of teh NBTHK does not issue papers, so you can not submit it to them. if you wish to submit it for shinsa in the U.S. you will need to wait for a shinsa to be scheduled here.

 

My thoughts on the license......... I see this type of thing quite often (sword brought to the U.S. in the late 40's and early 50's by GIs ). I figure if they were in Japan and issued a license (not confiscated by the military and someone takes it home ), then the Japanese knew what it was and the chance it is a treasure is very low, most of these items were sword the Japanese were happy to trade/sell to Americans, many times they were accompanied by paperwork making them seem interesting or important.

 

As Darcy suggests the most accurate way to determine what you have it send it to the NBTHK in Japn. I am noy sure CG's prices but it will probably cost $400-600 if it fails and $700-1200 if it receives Hozon or TH papers (of course if it papers the cost is not important as restoration will be a lot more but its value has greatly increased).

 

Another option is bring it to one of the sword shows here in the U.S. You can then ask dozens of people (many who are on this list) their opinions, there may even be Japanese dealers in attendance you could ask. Based on the feedback you get you could then make an informed decision if it is worth the investment of sending to Japan.

[Ted]

Thanks Mark, I think that I should have it evaluated first by someone at a show before spending a lot of money on a professional polish. I'm aware that there were several smiths by the name Nagamitsu, and of course if it was determined to be possible Juyo caliber then cost wouldn't be any issue. Just don't want to put more into than its worth. But I want to do what's right for the blade. I live in Tampa, Fl and haven't heard back from anyone from the Florida Token Kai yet.

Thanks again,

Ted