meteoritefinder Posted September 14, 2007 Report Posted September 14, 2007 Hello everyone my name is Mike Miller and I am into meteorites. I hunt them, I also cut and etch them for a living. I am in Kinmgan AZ and have always been facinated with Japanese swords. Although I must admit I have learned very little about them. I will include some pictures and hopefully someone here can tell me something about my sword. About all I was told was it was made in the mid 1800's and it is a Samurai sword. I apreciate any help you can give and I am not selling it, but it could become nesecary if business does not pick up pretty soon. Quote
Stephen Posted September 14, 2007 Report Posted September 14, 2007 Hi Mike aboard Pretty nice wak, I think it may be older than shinshinto...looks 2 B Shinto to me, maybe Mino...very nice find how did you come by it? Quote
Darcy Posted September 15, 2007 Report Posted September 15, 2007 I think Stephen is right. The piece I think is middle period Muromachi, Mino, probably something related to the Kanesada line. It was shortened towards the end of the Muromachi period, and a new nakago jiri done for it. If it were kiri then it would have been shortened later. It might have had a large chip from fighting, and the only way to save the sword was to shorten it for wakizashi use. The nakago does not look like a normal one made for the sword in later times. Quote
meteoritefinder Posted September 15, 2007 Author Report Posted September 15, 2007 Hi Stephen and thanks for the welcome :D I traded meteorites for it from a dealer here in Kingman, he deals in many different types of art and weapons. So did you say it might be older than mid 1800's ? Quote
meteoritefinder Posted September 15, 2007 Author Report Posted September 15, 2007 Hi Darcy thanks for the information. I will have to spend some time looking up the names you are using so I will understad what you said. Thanks again. Quote
Brian Posted September 15, 2007 Report Posted September 15, 2007 Hi Mike, I had browsed your website a few times in the past through a sword search. I think you have a hidden page on this one somewhere on it? Muromachi period is 1392-1572. There were both good and lesser mass-produced swords during that time. Towards the end, they were many wars and therefore swords were produced faster and with less care. But there are also fine swords made during that time. Mino is the province and hence style/school of tradition that possibly made this sword based on its characteristics. The sword was probably originally longer and shortened from the back as was common when tastes, styles and preferences changed. Also done if there was damage and it needed to be saved. The end of the tang shape where it was cut off is the nakago jiri. The shape indicates what Darcy was pointing out. A straight cut is kiri, while yours indicates earlier shortening with its shape. http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/terms/terms2.htm Hope this clarifies it for you. Regards, Brian Edit to add: Darcy:- If this is o-suriage (shortened) then wouldn't we expect to see the hamon continue with the gunome (bumps) through the machi area, instead of the yakidashi that appears to be there currently? Quote
meteoritefinder Posted September 15, 2007 Author Report Posted September 15, 2007 Wow Brian thanks for the lesson. That is awesome! So this sword might be as old as the 1400's. That would be totaly incredible! Quote
Jacques Posted September 15, 2007 Report Posted September 15, 2007 hi, I think that this blade is Shinto, it seems to have a yakidashi wich did not exist in koto time. Quote
takakage Posted September 15, 2007 Report Posted September 15, 2007 Hello, kiri yasurimei are not very usual for mino sword,often use for suriage sword but due to the small yakidashi and if the nakago is ubu, could be a work of one of jumyo ? Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted September 16, 2007 Report Posted September 16, 2007 Aloha, Mike. Good to find another meteorite hunter/collector who also collects Nihonto. Brian & Stephen, I've heard of some Koto & Shinto blades that were made using meteoritic iron. Any info on that? Quote
Brian Posted September 16, 2007 Report Posted September 16, 2007 Mike, Ah, I mistook your website for another I had come across before: http://www.arizonaskiesmeteorites.com/ They also sell some Japanese swords. What is it with all the meteorite hunters who also have a thing for Nihonto? :D :lol: You guys can setup your own club and do some decent trading. lol Brian Quote
meteoritefinder Posted September 16, 2007 Author Report Posted September 16, 2007 Hello everyone and thanks for all the great discussion. Also thanks for the welcomes and hello's! I understand that there are many experts from around the world here. Is there somewhere I can take my sword or (safely) ship it to have it looked at and find out all we could know about it. Maybe get a written statment about its history? Or at least a written statment (opinion) from an expert, perhaps someone here on this list? Quote
Brian Posted September 16, 2007 Report Posted September 16, 2007 Mike, The very best would be to submit it to the next USA shinsa, and therefore get a conclusive opinion and papers. Cost a little bit, but well worth it. Someone on the forum should be able to tell you when the next shinsa is, and I am sure that there is someone here who can act as an agent to take it there for a fair price if it is far from AZ. Regards, Brian Quote
meteoritefinder Posted September 16, 2007 Author Report Posted September 16, 2007 That would be great I hope to find out when this event will be held next. Thanks Quote
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