Muramasa Tanto In Pretty Tough Shape

[brannow]

Hi All,

 

So I was pulling stuff out of my safe and I found several interesting swords that I had completely forgotten about.  One is a tanto by Muramasa that is in pretty abused shape.  I bought it years ago thinking I would have it restored and save it but I just have way to many swords in for restoration and too many others in the que.  I am sure some one would be interested in it so my question is what is it worth in this condition as is.  looks like the hamon is there.

 

 

[Geraint]

Dear Bill.

 

Given the typical hamon on Muramasa tanto, http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/16300-muramasa-on-aoi-art/ (scroll down a little)................?  

Send it to auction and see what happens?

[Blagoy]

If this is authentic Muramasa it's a pity about the condition of the blade! I wish you success with solving this mystery...

[Gakusee]

I have very serious reservations about the "Mura" character (in particular the second and third/ fourth strokes) as well as the nakago shape (this is not Muramasa's typical tanagobara tang shape common in tantos).

Michael

[Stephen]

Id use in my kitchen any day of the week ....

[Keiji]

This nakago shape remember me the Muramasa shodai, but I have doubts.

 

The first kanji for Mura is also finely chiseled and a little too distant from the mune.

[Gakusee]

Francesco,

I agree that the shape is an imitation of the shodai but is normally on longer blades and not on tanto. So, you have:

- a katana shaped nakago (X)

- with somewhat weak chiselling(X)

- of the Shodai shape

- but with a 'Mura' which is not typical of the shodai (X)

- with a nakago mune which from the not too detailed pictures looks like a nidai mune (X) - the shodai's has more rotundity and this is angular

 

For these reasons I think it is not genuine but that is just my view. Bill - you probably could enjoy it for what it is.

Michael

[Keiji]

Yes right!

 

An exemple of the shodai with similar nakago shape: