Opinions On These Kozuka?

[vfox]

Hello,

 

I am looking for opinions on these kozuka, such as whether they are modern made or antiques, and their makers if possible. Any input is appreciated!

 

#1

 

#2

 

#3

 

Edit: added pictures of the backsides

 

Regards,

Jay

[Geraint]

Dear Jay.

 

Nothing to get excited about but at least Japanese.  If they are as cheap as chips then worth it for the kogatana blades which are useful to add to a mount but as to school......condition is bad and originally they were not great.  Number 2 is arguably Nagoyamono, the crude carving and basic nanako suggest something like that. Number 1 looks older and might have been something once. 

 

Just hoping you have not spent a lot of money on these?

 

All the best.

[ROKUJURO]

Motive of No.1 is NASUBI (Aubergine/eggplant) I think.

Sometimes the backsides of KOZUKA give a hint as to their provenience. 

[nagamaki - Franco]

Hello Jay,

 

Agree with Geraint for the most part.

 

What I would add is that although the condition of the first kozuka is very worn, the richness of the 'shakudo' catches my eye suggesting to me an early piece to be appreciated for what it was/is, ko something, but I think perhaps not Goto(???). As for $ value, it's in the eye of the beholder.

 

Questions about shakudo  often appear here on NMB, this is what 'good shakudo' should look like, imo.

 

fyi, http://www.shibuiswords.com/haynesTsu77.html

[vfox]

Thanks for the replies. Glad to know they have some history.

 

They came reasonably priced and I'm pretty happy with the purchase.

 

#3 strikes me as somewhat odd though. The blade seems over-polished and the carvings are crude.

[Bazza]

  On 9/14/2017 at 7:22 PM, nagamaki - Franco said:

Hello Jay,

...

Questions about shakudo  often appear here on NMB, this is what 'good shakudo' should look like, imo.

 

fyi, http://www.shibuiswords.com/haynesTsu77.html

Franco mate, this is a Nagoyamono and surely not an example of 'good shakudo'???  Did you mis-type the address by any chance??? 

 

Any other opinions as to 'good shakudo'???

 

BaZZa.

[nagamaki - Franco]

Hey BaZZa,

 

Apologies for the confusion, the fyi link was for kozuka # 2.

[vfox]

Just a little update, the kanji on kogatana #1 reads 主马首一平安 (Shume no Ippei). 

 

Could this be a relation to the swordsmith Ippei Yasuyo?

[Darcy]

Usually they are gimei. Or possibly from someone very far down the lineage.