Just purchased my first Nihonto. New PHOTOS!

[slavia631]

Hello all,

 

Okay. Thanks to your guys' shrewd advice, I passed up that $180 Wakizashi project blade that I was considering.

 

 

Instead, I spent $100 more and bought this, for $275:

 

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Original-Japanese-W ... dZViewItem

 

It is obviously in much better shape than the one I was considering, and presents visible hada and hamon. Also mumei. I hope that I will be able to learn more from this blade than I would have with the other one.

 

Can any of you guys give your opinion of this blade? Any idea how old it may be, and whether it is a good first blade? I must admit that I am a little nervous about what you guys are going to say. I hope I didn't do anything foolish.

 

Any information or opinions at all would be appreciated.

 

thanks,

 

Andrew

[Grey Doffin]

Andrew,

Without better pictures I don't think anyone will be able to tell you much, although it does look much, much better than the other.

If there is no handle you need to be very careful with this. Without a handle with the pin through the sword's tang, the blade can bottom out inside the scabbard and chip or shatter its point in the scabbard bottom. You would be smart to jerry-rig something to act as the handle to properly seat the blade in its scabbard.

Grey

[slavia631]

If you haven't yet followed the link that I added below the photo, a few more photos can be found there. And of course I will take more when it arrives.

 

Very good point (pardon the pun) about the kissaki risk in the saya, thank you. I will indeed jerry-rig something. I am, myself, a bladesmith and have also done quite a lot of bowyery, so I can hold my own regarding metal/woodworking. I've been thinking about making a tsuka and fittings for this blade anyways, and refinishing the saya (if that would not harm it's value??).

 

thanks,

 

Andrew

[Mantis dude]

Hey Andrew,

 

I would say, there is no real value in the saya, the blade is what you purchased. Can't tell much, has a kanbun shinto shape circa 1680's I think. The nicks in the cutting edge, especially the one in the monouchi (top portion of the blade) is deep and would require a lot of steel to be removed. Still, it looks like you might have an okay blade to start with. there looks like it has activities, not much else to say. Enjoy, hopefully it will get your interest peaked and you will get into this obsession. All the best.

[AZPhil]

Congrats!

Looks good andrew.

Welcome to the Club!

 

Phil

[slavia631]

Blade has been shipped!

 

I'm a little apprehensive though, because I'm assuming that they shipped the blade in the saya, and without a tsuka. I sure hope nothing happens to the kissaki whilst in transit. :|

 

andrew

[Ken-Hawaii]

Andrew, are you also going to create the tsuba, fuchi-kashira, & seppa? I know that many of us would like to see what you build.

 

And welcome aboard.

[slavia631]

I may try to do that, now that you mention it. I have done quite a bit of Japanese-style bladework, but have only attempted 1 set of fittings before (long ago)...so, I'll have to think about that...

 

FWIW, here's my latest blade:

 

thanks,

 

andrew

[slavia631]

The blade arrived!!

 

And the tip was unscathed, thankfully.

Here are some photos, I hope they may tell you guys a little more about the blade than I can:

 

 

 

 

 

[slavia631]

And now for the specifics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nagasa: 20"

Nagako:5.5"

 

Anything you guys could tell me about this blade would be greatly appreciated!

 

thanks,

 

andrew

[remzy]

Hello there and welcome aboard!

Id say that this is a good one, especially for the price!

I am not a connaisseur but to me this look to be shin shinto or newer.. i really cannot tell so i will hush up.

 

cheers

[Brian]

Andrew,

Obviously you are aware that the chip is quite a bad one, and would probably have to stay there. Some loose and open grain that might possibly have seen some acid at some point in its life.

But compared to the first one you were considering, I would say it is vastly superior. For a beginner piece and especially at the price, you did good. Now use it to strengthen your passion and desire to learn more. Grab more books and study until you are ready to upgrade to a nice papered sword that will teach you even more.

Age i'm not sure about, not too much to go on. Do some study and see what you come up with?

 

Brian

[slavia631]

Thanks Brian! I realize that the chip is permanent, and quite frankly I don't intend to turn this particular piece into a restoration project. I will just keep it and maintain it as it is. I just really felt the desire to own a Nihonto piece, and now I have one right here in front of me to study and appreciate. I will save the real money, time, and effort for that perfect papered piece that may cross my path down the road.

 

This piece has really bitten me with the Nihonto bug, like you all knew it would. It has not significantly strengthened my desire to acquire another right away; but rather it has strengthened my desire to study and know more....so I will be ready when that perfect piece comes my way.

 

thanks,

 

andrew

[Aldwin]

Hi Andrew / Slav,

 

Nice to see you here!

[Bugyotsuji]

Good to see you here, Andrew. My eye is completely untrained, but that looks like a good solid blade, and you may have got a bargain. I suspect that the chip has knocked the price out of that. A very good start to your studies.

 

I bought my koshirae separately and had the sori of the saya adjusted for it.

[slavia631]

Hello again,

 

An update on this wakizashi:

 

An acquiantance of mine in Australia sent some detailed photos of this blade to his friend who is a retired NBTHK shinsa judge. Based on the photos, the fellow says the blade is most likely an early Shinto but may be worth further investigation as a Koto piece.

 

 

On another note, I have completely refinished the saya, aiming to bring it close to it's original tone and texture:

 

 

[slavia631]

Hi guys,

 

Just wanted to show off the wakizashi in it's completed koshirae. I refinished the saya and built/wrapped/fitted the tsuka myself. The sageo is from Shadow of leaves, tsuka is of poplar, with same acquired from Aarom Justice, Fred Lohman fuchi kashira and tsuba, ito acquired from Lee Geniman (Nichiren), antique Japanese seppa, and "kabuto" themed menuki cast from originals by a professional jeweler. Please take a look:

 

 

 

 

 

Feel free to ask questions or comment.

thanks,

 

Andrew