Age, school and comments on Wakizashi

[alant]

Please keep in mind I purchased this as a one-time buy because I wanted a single nihonto, not to start collecting or trading.

 

This was purchased on ebay by daimyou54eb for $590 plus shipping.

 

Blade is unsigned and unsharpened, tsuba is loose. The original certificate / license (Juho-token-rui-torokusho) did not come with the sword, only a photocopy. Is is possible that the last person to pay for polishing wanted to save money by not sharpening?

 

Below is a mix of my photography and some from the seller I down loaded. If more pictures will help I can try and take them.

 

The Koshirea is looks better than the blade.

 

 

 

 

 

[alant]

Koshirea

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest reinhard]

The wrapping of the Tsuka was done by an amateur and professional polishing includes sharpening. You can't save money by excluding sharpening.

 

reinhard

[Brian]

Alan,

 

As Reinhard was saying, the process of sharpening and polishing are the same thing. A sword that is polished, will be sharpened at the same time unless there is a reason that the owner doesn't want a cutting edge (I can think of no reason that would explain that)

How "unsharp" is it?

As for the torokusho, that is just a Japanese licence that shows the sword is registered. It doesn't say anything about the age or quality, and has to remain in Japan when the sword is deregistered and exported. The fact that they made you a photocopy just means the sword was legally exported.

To be honest, there isn't much to say about the sword. You were after a cheap example of a Japanese sword with koshirae, and you got it. Not a hidden treasure, just an example of what you were after..a genuine Japanese sword with a few hundred years on it. Fair fittings, blade has had a quick polish that looks a bit heavy on the hadori.

You said you don't want to get into collecting. If this one sparks an interest, then maybe the next one will be a step up until you get hooked like the rest of us.

 

Regards,

Brian

[alant]

Thank you very much for explaining why the torokusho was not sent with the sword, that is now clear.

 

How unsharp - like a very dull butter knife. I've never handled an unsharpened Iaido blade, but this is what I imagine they would be like.

 

Heavy on the hadori?

[Guest Nanshoku-Samurai]

Hello Alan,

 

first of all remember: It's all a matter of taste. So if yu like this sword then that's fine and you did well!

 

A professional Tsukamaki (just handle wrapping) in Japan will be anywhere from USD 150.00 - $400.00. So don't expect to much at USD 600.00.

 

Now for your sword:

 

Blade: Mino school. Very late Shinshinto maybe even Meiji

Koshirae: Tourist "quality", that is mass produced towards end of Shishinto or Meiji periode.

 

I think you did well for what you paid.

 

Regards,

 

Max