Members: Curious As To Your Opinions: Kunimune?

[barnejp]

Hello Everyone,

 

Since, I've moved away from anything other than Edo era blades/swords, I'm a bit at a lose here.

 

I've been contacted by someone who is looking to sell their collection of samurai blades/swords.

 

Below is an example;

 

Selling Katana with bohi in koshirae. Signed: "Kunimune." Fine kodogu, signed tsuba. 1250-1300

In decent polish, guaranteed against hagire.

Nagasa: 67.4 cm. Sori: 1.5 cm.

Moto-haba: 2.8 cm. Saki-haba: 1.7 cm.

Moto-gasane: 0.6 cm. Saki-gasane: 0.3 cm.

 

Photos attached

BTW, this sword looks familiar??

 

Thank you,

Greg

 

 

[Greg F]

Hi Greg, not sure what your asking. The sword looks ok, not sure about the signiture. All the best.

 

Greg

[CSM101]

Hi Greg,

 

Bizen Saburo Kunimune: No.

 

 

Uwe G.

[paulb]

There wre a lot of Bizen smiths signing Kunimune. Look at the Kuni character it is unusual and looks more like the style used by Enju and Rai smiths than the famous Bizen Kunimune (I don't have access to references at present so I doing this from memory. I don't think it I identical but it has some common features)

Not sure if the 1250-1300 is the suspected date, if so I think it is being a little optimistic. It has the look of something a little later i.e. 1400-1500.

Having said that it looks to be a good blade. Whether it is worth buying depends on the price

Style of photography does look familliar so it may well have appeared before but I dont remember when

[Stefan]

Nice blade. The  signature is gimei in my  opinion. The rust does not  look natural. I think  the  kanji were added at a later date.

 

Greetings

Stefan

[Ken-Hawaii]

My guess is that the 1250-1300 may be a price range, rather than a date...or it darn well should be! Yes, gimei, & the shape is all wrong for an early-Kamakura blade.

 

Ken

[ROKUJURO]

Greg,

looking at the MEI, it is not a KATANA but a TACHI. 

[Brian]

Whoever is selling them looks to be using the description and pics of the person/dealer he bought them from. eBay seller in this case? One of the Japanese guys?

[JonnyO]

Nice blade. The  signature is gimei in my  opinion. The rust does not  look natural. I think  the  kanji were added at a later date.

 

Greetings

Stefan

First thing I thought, too, when seeing the signature. ( my opinion is just that