Katana - Interested In Some Feedback

[FletchSan]

Hi All,

 

I picked up this sword recently which came with no papers or any information whatsoever. Maybe a good candidate for the Kantei competition

 

It has obviously had a decent polish at some stage though has been neglected as there are areas of rust probably from fingerprints etc I guess. Still good enough to see the workmanship.

 

Interested in thoughts. I cannot see any flaws at all other than the minor areas of rust that can be seen in the photos. The sword looks very healthy to me - too healthy? I wonder if it could be a copy of a Koto period blade.

 

Nagasa: 68.2cm

Sori:       2.3cm

 

cheers,

 

Ben

[brannow]

Nice sword!  Does it look like the hamon continues in to the tang?

 

[FletchSan]

I dont think so - though not exactly sure what I'm looking for. Here's a brighter / overexposed picture of the nakago.

[Greg F]

Nice sword. Shame about those finger prints huh.

 

Greg

[FletchSan]

I know. Not sure there's much I can do about them other than a new polish at some stage.

 

The sword definitely seems to be Koto to me based on the sugata and nakago patina.

Perhaps muromachi? Is it ubu or has it been shortened?

[Darcy]

Looks like Ozaki Suketaka to me but that is way too specific to be accurate.

[FletchSan]

Interesting! One can hope

 

So you're leaning more towards a Shinshinto copy of an older sword vs a Koto sword?

 

What are some of the telltale signs of a later copy when doing Kantei?

 

Cheers,

 

Ben

[nagamaki - Franco]

Looks like Ozaki Suketaka to me but that is way too specific to be accurate.

 

Suketaka gokatana, understand why Darcy might be making that call.

 

 

 

 

 

Shinshinto my thoughts, too. 

[paulb]

Hi Ben

Interesting sword. My gut feel is also that it might be a later copy. I dont think it is shortened but if it is not by much. If it were originally longer imagine what the sugata would have looked like. The sori would be enormous.

I had a blade some years ago that had very similar features. ​​It was aiming to be Kagemitsu and I loved the look and feel of it. It also had incredibly vivid utsuri. However it just didn't feel koto. In the end I put it in for shinsa (Yoshikawa NTHK) and it papered to a not well known shin-shinto smith.

I saw it again recently and still have a real affection for it. Like yours regardless of who made it and when it has a good look

 

[FletchSan]

Hi Paul. Looking at yours, they are quite similar aren't they. I think mine has slightly more sori, though they are quite close.

I'll focus my research on Suketaka and other Shinshinto smiths who made copies of older swords.

 

thanks,

 

Ben

[Jean]

Mekugi ana seem to be drilled and not punched

[PhoenixDude]

The jihada seems wrong for an old koto period blade too.

[Alex A]

Mekugi ana seem to be drilled and not punched

 

As always, there are exceptions to rules 

 

Sometimes existing mekugi-ana were enlarged, easiest way to do this................drill. (if they had one)

 

So, an old blade can have a rather young looking mekugi-ana.

 

Not in the case above though, I think three drilled is pushing the theory a little.

[SAS]

Appears to be Shinshinto to my eyes.

[Stephen]

Hey its a nice sword!! who cares!!

[Toryu2020]

A nice sword indeed,

Shinto or Shinshinto - Ozaki as already suggested or Suishinshi mon both known for copies of Sukehiro...

-t

[tokashikibob]

Great Pick Fletch!  I like it.  When you get tired of it let me know, maybe we can do some swapping.

Best regards,

   bob

[FletchSan]

Hi All,

Well, you wouldn't believe it - though papers have turned up for this sword. They were locked away and forgotten and are now on their way to me. Looks like it is a little older than believed and a Shinto blade attributed to Kinmichi.

 

I've had a go at translating parts of the certificate. Please correct me if I've made any mistakes.

 

CERTIFICATE:  NTHK KANTEISHO issued 20/8/2012?

JUDGEMENT: DEN KODAI KINMICHI (Later generation with some differences?)

MEI: Mumei

NOTES: Genroku era (1688). Though I can't make out the other Kanji in the notes section.

 

Given the era I assume they are indicating possible 3rd generation Kinmichi?

 

cheers,

Ben

[FletchSan]

Also figured out the jigane column says ko itame and can see gunome in the hamon column, though cannot read what else it says about the hamon.

So any help with Notes, Boshi & Hamon columns would be great

 

cheers,

 

Ben

[FletchSan]

I will post the request for help re: the cerificate translation in the translation forum.

 

thanks.