New Blade.. Photos Up !

[mauser99]

Here are the promised photos of the Mei and the blade.

I hope we can nail this one down and clear up any ?? On the smith.

Thanks for all your help.

[mauser99]

Here is the overall view .

[Geraint]

Well you need to start looking for Hishu Kawachi no kami Masahiro.  Just for starters have a look at this one, http://new.uniquejapan.com/a-masahiro-wakizashi/

 

All the best.

[mauser99]

I think that's what we were told in the translation section.  There was a ? If the mei was legit or gimi ?  If Im saying it correctly ?

[Geraint]

Sorry, missed that one.

[mauser99]

Sorry, missed that one.

Thanks for the link..  The blade differs some to my un-trained eye as the Harmon is a different type and the mei end has a blunt end not rounded but, Im not sure how many different types one man would make ?  The habaki is sure the same. 

[Ken-Hawaii]

The "mei end" is called the nakago, Wayne, & I think you should hit the books a bit so you know at least the basic terms. The nakago is just about the most-important part of the blade when it comes to determining who made it, & when.

 

Basically, mei are categorized as shoshin (real), mumei (no mei), or gimei (false). More details are at http://www.ncjsc.org/gloss_mei-1.html. Habaki are changed pretty much every time a blade is polished, & are not a reliable indicator of provenance.

 

The hamon does help to establish provenance, but is secondary to sugata. Knowing how to look at a blade will help you to understand what members are telling you.

 

Ken