Mei Credibility

[ken kata]

Hello Forum,
Please tell me your opinions..

I was interested in this Sword, but, the Mei seems to be "tampered with"?
Is this acceptable, or, Okashi...

Thanks, and, thanks for viewing..

Alton Takata

[hxv]

Alton,

 

It's scratched in, not chiseled in by a sword smith. It's not acceptable by any standard.  I would suggest sitting out on this one.

 

Hoanh

[Brian]

Wow, that's bad!

Ken...I think being more of an advanced collector yourself..I think you know that

Rest of the nakago looks ok though. Wonder if this could be removed and repatinated successfully?

[ken kata]

Hello Hoanh...

Thanks for the post.

So, no serious collector would be interested in a blade like this..

The blade was "Low priced". That is why I was thinking of getting it..

 

a) Do you guys think it is worth more if it had no Mei, just blank?

 

 

b) Is this blade "Ruined" ? frowned upon?

 

 

c) Would be a shame ( no Pride ) to have this as a Japanese sword representative in a collection? Just for the blade and not that Mei?

 

 

 

[ken kata]

Hi Brian,

I'm not "Advanced' , only in age.. LOL

I got cheated every time I bought a sword.

Only once, I got a honest deal.. ( From Adrian Jordan )

[ken kata]

So, it is not an original Mei, that , someone tried to "Bring out" ?

 

Ahh, I wanted to buy this Blade, because it was "Low Priced" , Under $500.00

 

I also was looking at a couple of  "Low Priced" Zunari Kabutos.

 

Even those are "Touched up".. 

 

Nihonto and Katchu <  More money = Better stuff

 

 

Have a good day gentlemen.. 

Alton Takata <  The "Cheap Samurai"..

 

 

 

[Brian]

Alton,

You have a ton of good teachers and collectors there in Hawaii. Let one of them look at it and give an opinion.

I would decide based on the blade, not the mei. The scratches are certainly off putting. But if the blade is nice, and has no flaws...it might be worth the $$'s, and then ask Bob if he can repatinate and remove the "mei"

It all comes down to the blade. Can you see hamon and hada...is it nice? If out of polish and you cannot see much at all, I would pass.

 

Edit to add: Is it a katana or wakizashi? At that price, a katana might be a decent deal. Wakizashi..maybe not as good.

[ken kata]

The Blade is a Wakizashi.

 

I did not buy the blade yet..

Now, I mei not buy it .  ( Pun intended )

 

 

It is in "fair" condition. Is just under $500.00 , in Shirasaya.

The seller has many Shirasaya Blades  under $1,000.00, many of them are said to be from the Muramachi Era.

 

There's many with out mei.

 

Sometimes, I worry they are Blades made in China.

 

Or,

 I have read, in /about 1840's, Swordsmiths were not putting their signature on their blades, as, they were trying to sell to Both sides of conflicting families/parties.

I can not find that internet site that I read that in..

 

And yes, There's Ken G. and  the JSSH , full of knowledgeable/ friendly guys.

 

Thanks ,

Alton Takata  aka Ken Kata 

 

 

[jason_mazzy]

lets see pictures of blade. if nice Bob can fix the nakago

[ken kata]

Hi Jason and forum,

Here is some photos from the seller.

I'm going to make a temporary website to show a couple of blades I am interested in buying.

Will take me about an hour to post the link.

 

Thanks for viewing..

Alton

 

 

[Shugyosha]

I've paid more for worse swords than that. Shame about the nakago but on the evidence of those photographs, worth $500...

[ken kata]

Thanks for posting John. That is the seller's asking price.

 

Hey guys, Here is a link to this and another Wakizashi I am interested in buying:

 

http://katanabladereviewer.weebly.com/

 

 

 

Your opinions are wanted, as, I would, please, like more insight. Thanks Guys, Alton < no confidence when buying..

[SAS]

It appears to me the polish has been tampered with (see around kissaki) but other than that and the lame mei attempt it looks worth buying. Then consult with Bob and Woody to see if it is worth putting more into or not.

[Ken-Hawaii]

Alton, please get in touch with Glenn or me before buying these. I've missed you at JSSH.

 

Ken

 

[ken kata]

HI Steve, thanks for posting ..

 

Hello Ken,

Thanks for posting..

I am already biding on the other wakizashi.

(I hope no one here bids on it...   hint )

 

The wakizashi is in poor condition, but, that is all I can afford to collect.. because,  I'm in poor condition ( no kane ) 

 

About the JSSH Meetings..

I do not drive, so, I do not go out anymore.

I just stay home and surround myself with dagashi... 

 

Alton - " The Dagashi Samurai " ...

Haven't you heard the old saying ,   " Alton Dagashi, collects okashi "..