Help Identifying Unsigned Katana Age Or Type

[Daso]

So understanding that (and I never thought otherwise) this is a very average blade or less than average, but real. As I believe we are not supposed to discuss pricing, may I ask what one could expect to spend if they wanted a katana over a wakizashi in similar condition to what I have presented (mumei and likely from the 1600's) . The reason I ask this is that it is worth keeping for me as a nice piece to study and learn from (it actually looks much better in person than the photos) if I acquired it for much less than such a blade is worth. As mentioned, I can return it and would gladly share the price I paid if allowed to help make my decision. I do not want to break any board rules and if considered acceptable etiquette, please feel free to pm me with advice or a question. I have not seen any Katanas in this price range (in my limited scope) and currently have a slightly restricted budget. Also, not to open a can of worms, but I am all for reading and learning from books, but I don't want to spend $1,000 on books when I can purchase some good books and start learning with my first blade. This board is amazing as I've posted on two others and the response and level of engagement is nowhere near what I have experienced here. Thanks.

[Alex A]

Darius, I think the price rules are with regards to stuff in the "for sale" section. If you wish to say how much you have to spend on a sword, that's fine. This is a good place to buy, so who knows, name your price and someone may have something.

 

You could place an advert in the "wanted" section.

 

If I were you though, id put it off for a short while, until you get a clear idea of what your looking for, and what price to pay. Learning for a short while will help you spot deals, and spot junk (there is lots out there). Remember whatever you buy, you will one day want to sell, so choose wisely.

 

No rush, stuff always pops up, sometimes better stuff comes along after an hasty buy.

 

One last book recommendation, id buy it whilst its still affordable, probably a great investment   https://www.amazon.co.uk/Craft-Japanese-Sword-Leon-Kapp/dp/1568364318?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0

[Daso]

Darius, I think the price rules are with regards to stuff in the "for sale" section. If you wish to say how much you have to spend on a sword, that's fine. This is a good place to buy, so who knows, name your price and someone may have something.

 

You could place an advert in the "wanted" section.

 

If I were you though, id put it off for a short while, until you get a clear idea of what your looking for, and what price to pay. Learning for a short while will help you spot deals, and spot junk (there is lots out there). Remember whatever you buy, you will one day want to sell, so choose wisely.

 

No rush, stuff always pops up, sometimes better stuff comes along after an hasty buy.

 

One last book recommendation, id buy it whilst its still affordable, probably a great investment   https://www.amazon.co.uk/Craft-Japanese-Sword-Leon-Kapp/dp/1568364318?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0

Hi Alex, sorry if I had come off as wanting to sell. I wanted to figure out if the price I paid for the sword made it a worthwhile buy for what it is. I can just return the blade and get a refund if I want. Apologies if my post was confusing.

[Ken-Hawaii]

 

it actually looks much better in person than the photos

Ah, yes, Darius, but do you really know what you are looking at? Can you recognize all, or even most, of the details that make one blade worth $5000, & another worth only $100? The best way to learn this is to have a mentor, but reference books run a close second. I won't say that I've invested more in books than in blades, but certainly more than 10%.

 

Go over & browse on Aoi Art's Web-site (http://www.aoijapan.com/), & see if you can pick out the details that Tsuruta-san has posted. Can you pick out itame hada? Choji beneath the hadori polish? Would you know a jizo boshi? These are the type of details you should really understand before you plunk down money for a blade. Alex is right...better stuff almost always shows up after a hasty buy! Go through NMB's For Sale thread, & look at what top-notch sellers like Ed Marshall & Nick Ricupero are selling. I've dealt with both, & their prices are very competitive.

 

Ken

 

[Daso]

Ken, once again, point well taken. I'll update after I've shown the blade to those with more experience on Sun at the Nytoken Kai.

[Alex A]

All depends what you want Darius, a wall hanger?, or a sword with some interest?.

 

Folk soon get board with wall hangers.

 

 

 

Best.

[Jean]

I think you mean "bored", Alex, and not "board"?

[Alex A]

I think you mean "bored", Alex, and not "board"?

Thats the one Jean.

 

Reading my last sentence, folk could be forgiven for thinking im talking home decor, takes a while for the brain to fire up in a morn.

[Daso]

All depends what you want Darius, a wall hanger?, or a sword with some interest?.

 

Folk soon get board with wall hangers.

 

 

 

Best.

Alex, Of course some interest or provenance to keep me interested in it, but pleasure in a good deal keeps me interested as well ???? Let's say I had the choice of this or walk into the Apple Store and buy the lowest iPhone 6S (I have the phone already). Sun will tell a lot as people with experience like yourself will be able to look at it and tell me what they think. I'll report back.

[Daso]

Ah, yes, Darius, but do you really know what you are looking at? Can you recognize all, or even most, of the details that make one blade worth $5000, & another worth only $100? The best way to learn this is to have a mentor, but reference books run a close second. I won't say that I've invested more in books than in blades, but certainly more than 10%.

 

Go over & browse on Aoi Art's Web-site (http://www.aoijapan.com/), & see if you can pick out the details that Tsuruta-san has posted. Can you pick out itame hada? Choji beneath the hadori polish? Would you know a jizo boshi? These are the type of details you should really understand before you plunk down money for a blade. Alex is right...better stuff almost always shows up after a hasty buy! Go through NMB's For Sale thread, & look at what top-notch sellers like Ed Marshall & Nick Ricupero are selling. I've dealt with both, & their prices are very competitive.

 

Ken

Ken, exactly why I go to the NY token Kai and started attending class on study of swords as well. I still find forums with people like yourself extremely helpful (in many cases but not all ). Definitely no forum medical advice. Haha.

[Surfson]

Sword looks to me like kanbun shinto, and appears to have been buffed, so it's hard to see any activity.  The possibility that it would get an attribution to a big name is slight and the cost of restoring a cut down mumei shinto katana is high and the worth of the blade after polish is unlikely to be even close to what it will cost to restore.  Just my two bits.  

[Daso]

Sword looks to me like kanbun shinto, and appears to have been buffed, so it's hard to see any activity.  The possibility that it would get an attribution to a big name is slight and the cost of restoring a cut down mumei shinto katana is high and the worth of the blade after polish is unlikely to be even close to what it will cost to restore.  Just my two bits.  

Surfson, thanks. That is exactly what another thought.  Looks like this one is going back, although pretty inexpensive

[LakeBum]

I agree with ken, great book for the money. 

[Daso]

in a completely different direction, Does the bright copper looking area in the middle of this Tsuba mean its new? Like plated copper made to look old? I haven't seen any Tsubas with that flaw.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ed Harbulak]

Darius,

The copper is not new and it is not a flaw. It's there to make the tsuba fit more tightly to the sword. 

Ed

[Daso]

Ed, thanks.

[Daso]

Dumb question of the year, if a Tsuba has designs on both sides, which is the proper blade side direction? Do the shape of the holes denote the proper orientation?

[Alex A]

Hi Darius, have a read of this for starters http://www.japaneseswordindex.com/tsuba.htm

[Stephen]

kozuka on the inside kogai on the outside, the side with most design is facing out to show his bling

[Daso]

Thanks, Makes complete sense, Haha Bling side up.

[sean]

Hawks feathers is Mino and Yamato School 900-1530 A.D.

Then Mino used it again from 1551-1865.

The Samurai Sword, John Yumoto

[Daso]

Hawks feathers is Mino and Yamato School 900-1530 A.D.

Then Mino used it again from 1551-1865.

The Samurai Sword, John Yumoto

I think the general consensus is that they are just file marks and not Hawks feathers. I guess it would have been nice to have some reference. NY Token Kai members all looked at it and it it is fairly non descript in many aspects from curve to Suriage condition. Basically Little to say other than cut down kanbun or shinshinto sword