mercierarmory Posted February 20, 2008 Report Posted February 20, 2008 Ok....I'm new. Forgive my questions but I am quite curious. I have collected swords for around 10 years or so, but original Japanese weapons are quite "foreign" to me. I just bought 2 swords, one being a WWII officers and the other is an unsigned, what I would consider, tachi, however the nakago was cut down at some point. The blade starting at the hamachi (I think that's the right term) is an impressive 33 inches. (this would be a tachi, wouldn't it?) So here's my question. I remember reading somewhere that it was possible (for professionals of course) to possibly date an unsigned blade based on the corrosion of the nakago. First, how the heck do they do this, and second how do I find someone to do this. The only real problem with this blade is (I would assume) the soldier that captured this sword finely sanded the blade down and there are very light scratches on it, but the hamon cannot be seen. As much as I would love to see this blade as it once looked, I don't know if the high price of polishing would really be worth it. Thanks for the help, Mike Quote
Ichi Posted February 20, 2008 Report Posted February 20, 2008 I think the good start is to post some pics here. The overall shape may help determine the period the blade was constructed. Quote
Brian Posted February 20, 2008 Report Posted February 20, 2008 Using the nakago patina to date a Nihonto is just a guide and not an exact science. It is one of the tools that is used in conjunction with other aspects to narrow down to a date range. Length doesn't necessarily prove that it was a tachi, or disprove it. It could be, but post some pics so that the more educated members can have a look at the sugata. Brian Quote
mercierarmory Posted February 21, 2008 Author Report Posted February 21, 2008 Ok, sorry I didn't get back sooner with the pictures. There is better light at my work so I brought the sword there for photos. Here is the overall blade... Quote
mercierarmory Posted February 21, 2008 Author Report Posted February 21, 2008 one side of the tang Quote
mercierarmory Posted February 21, 2008 Author Report Posted February 21, 2008 and the other with a ruler for reference Quote
mercierarmory Posted February 21, 2008 Author Report Posted February 21, 2008 the only markings I can find are 4 evenly spaced notches on the edge spaced 3/16" apart. This picture was the best I can do, but I assume you get the idea. Mike Quote
Grey Doffin Posted February 21, 2008 Report Posted February 21, 2008 Mike, Can you tell me (us) what the nakago (tang) feels like? Is it smooth and waxy black, coarse and dry to the touch, or something between? Grey Quote
mercierarmory Posted February 21, 2008 Author Report Posted February 21, 2008 I would say overall smooth and waxy except for the more pronounced corrosion areas which I believe are noticeable in the photos. Mike Quote
Jacques Posted February 21, 2008 Report Posted February 21, 2008 Hi, Searching to date a blade without seeing the whole one (with some measurement) is an inanity, all the more, when it is a suriage blade. Quote
Brian Posted February 21, 2008 Report Posted February 21, 2008 Welll..we have a sugata shot, and a nagasa measurement. Not everything, but there should be at least some guesses from that. You think it is o-suriage? Just from a quick look, it looks like it may be ubu to me. Can we get a shot of the nakago without habaki, and a close-up of the machi? With this length, it may have been originally mounted with 2 mekugi ana (what was the term for that again?) Brian Quote
Jacques Posted February 21, 2008 Report Posted February 21, 2008 Hi, A sugata shot? I can only see nakago Quote
Thierry BERNARD Posted February 21, 2008 Report Posted February 21, 2008 Jacques D. said: Hi, A sugata shot? I can only see nakago here it is! :D 100_3278.JPG Quote
Jacques Posted February 21, 2008 Report Posted February 21, 2008 Hi, Thanks Thierry, i can see it now. Quote
mercierarmory Posted February 21, 2008 Author Report Posted February 21, 2008 Any idea of the significance of the notches? Mike Quote
Jacques Posted February 22, 2008 Report Posted February 22, 2008 Hi, mercierarmory said: Any idea of the significance of the notches? Mike I've already seen some, and i would like to know the significance of these too. About the mekugi ana at bottom, i don't think it is a shinobi one. Quote
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