A New Find

[Worfieldlg]

Hey people. I joined this wonderful forum a while ago now and learning more and more as I read what everyone getting up to. I appreciate many here have extensive knowledge and it’s an invaluable source of information, it’s brilliant.

 

Yesterday I had finally come across a blade I have been waiting to see for months, it’s come from a private collector and he has had it for around 30 years and the previous owner had it in his family for 80 years. I just wanted to post it to see what any of you make of it and my failed attempt to translate the inscribed characters. All the fittings and tsuba are takamaki-e lacquer and all matching. Anyway I have added many photos.

 

Regards

Luke

[John A Stuart]

Kogatana looks like Yamato no Kami Kanenobu. Any other signatures. John

[Worfieldlg]

No other signatures that I can find. Supposedly this blade has not be touched for 100 ish year when it came over to England but that’s just what I have been told.

 

Luke

[PNSSHOGUN]

Great package, lots of detail and decent quality to be found.

[paulb]

Well done Luke it looks like an interesting piece

Are you sure there is no trace of a signature on the nakago? may be the light but it looks like there are some traces of possibly 3 characters, one of which is "Kuni"

of course it could just be pitting or my over active imagination.

Regardless it is a good looking sword. Enjoy your research

Paul

[TETSUGENDO]

Luke,

 

An intriguing find,the mountings exhibit many elements of the work of Shibata Zeshin, a web search should prove interesting for you. BTW, dont try to "improve" anything, leave it as is.

[Worfieldlg]

Here are close ups and I’m sure I can see faint lines but can’t see any characters that stand out.

 

Luke

[PNSSHOGUN]

It looks like there was a Mei but it has been all but lost, which could indicate this is quite an old Tanto. You could try carefully dust some chalk over it to improve visibility, it may be enough to reveal a few characters.

[Worfieldlg]

I have put a filter on this picture and you can definitely see the lines of what look like characters. But it’s possibly too lost.

 

Luke

[ROKUJURO]

Luke, 

there is a MEI, I am convinced, and I think I see KUNI as well. Maybe this is something for the specialists at a SHINSA session. In case you want to give it another try, please put the photos vertical (tip up) and have light from the side. 

A very nice KOTO (probably) sword!  

[Worfieldlg]

Ok I can truly see the characters on the left side now. It’s fascinating.

 

Luke

[Ray Singer]

The nakago has an Uda shape and there appears to be more kanji above Kuni. I would guess it is Uda Kuni___ (possibly Kunimune 國宗 or Kunifusa 國房). The compressed appearance of the kanji at the bottom of the nakago is typical of Uda.

[paulb]

Luke

As a first step and if you haven't already done so you might want to consider visiting a meeting of one of the sword societies  in the UK. You are lucky being in Birmingham as it gives you a number of options

The Northern Token Society meet in Manchester bi-monthly.

The Token Society of Great Britain has a planned meeting in Telford early in September and you would be very welcome to bring your sword along to that

Also the Birmingham Arms fair at the motor cycle museum is also on the same September weekend and a number of members of all societies will be there. 

As said above I think you have a good looking sword and it appears to be well mounted. It would be worth letting some people seeing it hand as it might help you decide on your best next step.

Good luck and keep us posted

Best Regards

Paul

[PNSSHOGUN]

If you could get us a clear picture of the blade and any Hada that could also help, Uda school Hada can often be very identifiable.

[Worfieldlg]

I have tried to get a picture of the hada but its very hard. I guess Paul is right that the next best thing to do is take it to some people that can view it in person. Everyone has been unbelievably helpful and I can see the addiction of finding and researching these items. I have quite a few interesting finds that I could post someother time if the members enjoy that kind of thing, but I get a feeling of putting people out buy asking or maybe that’s because I’m British. Anyway thank you everyone for the help so far!

 

Luke

[Stephen]

Hada is visible...nice find!

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

Indeed. I like it. Seems a quite old blade.

[vajo]

Lovely sword. I like the saya and the fittings very much. A special taste which never gets old.

[nagamaki - Franco]

Possibly a reasonable polish candidate to complete a good package.

[Brian]

For sure needs a very professional polish, due to that broken kissaki.
But yes...I would consider it if I were you. Looks worth an evaluation at least.

[Mark C]

Hi Luke.

 

Paul has mentioned the Birmingham Arms Fair. The next fair is on 24th June and is a good place to show and chat.

 

All the best

 

Mark

[Worfieldlg]

Just did a quick search for blade restoration in the uk and found these contacts. Does anyone know of them and if this would be a good place to start looking for having the blade polished?

 

Luke

[paulb]

Luke

I have just sent you a pm with some thoughts.

I think you need to slow down a little before looking for restoration services locally or otherwise.

1st step is to put your blade in front of an experienced collector and get their thoughts about what to do next.

Best Regards

Paul

[Worfieldlg]

Ok Paul I will take your advice but it would be very useful to know a good place to get items restored just for the future. I won’t be doing anything to the tanto there is no rush. Just like to learn what I can.

 

Kind regards

Luke

[Surfson]

Nice piece, I like it.  I may be imagining it, but the last kanji may also be a sada - i.e. Kunisada, which could be linked to many different provinces/schools.  Just an alternative theory.  

[PNSSHOGUN]

It does appear have the coarser grain often seen on Uda works. Most interested tosee what an expert says with it in hand.

[Jacques]

Measurements please ? nagasa, sori, motohaba, kasane. How is the mune (blade and nakago) ? 

[Worfieldlg]

Nagasa 241mm

Sori 1mm

mihaba 23mm

Kasane 6mm

Nakago 100mm

[Jacques]

Thanks 

 

It seems to me that the blade is kaku mune and nakago is maru mune.  if i'm right we can exclude Uda school.

[Dr Fox]

Luke

Sloooow down. Don't dance before you can walk. Restoration thoughts are for the future.

First step, find out what exactly you have got.

From what we can see, a sense of excitement should be your feeling at this moment.

Seen in hand, your sword will show to the more knowledgeable in our hobby, much more than you could ever capture on camera.

Don't at this moment have any concern for the tip of the kissaki, that too is for a later date.

Fingers off and oil on that blade.

Looking forward to sharing your discoveries with you, if you will be so kind.