francantolin Posted April 12, 2018 Report Posted April 12, 2018 Hello everybody, I bought an old Japanese sword without scabbard in really bad conditions for few money ( reaaally bad conditions ! ) I started to clean it and found a mei on both side of the basis of the blade. Is it a genuine old sword ? Is it possible to translate ? I don't know what to do with the blade, ( and what they have done before !!! ) Is it possible to save-restore it ? Mei Pictures: Quote
Ray Singer Posted April 12, 2018 Report Posted April 12, 2018 Definitely a genuine sword. As far as the signature, the first part is 因州住壽___ (Inshu ju Toshi___). Perhaps: 因州住壽宗 - Inshu ju Toshimune 1 Quote
Ray Singer Posted April 12, 2018 Report Posted April 12, 2018 Date would be Bunsei 5 Nen 8 Gatsu Hi (a day in the 5th month of 1822) Quote
Guest Posted April 13, 2018 Report Posted April 13, 2018 Franco take a close look - does that last character look more like 宗 or more like 実?. Quote
francantolin Posted April 13, 2018 Author Report Posted April 13, 2018 Hello and thank you both really really much !!! I will post closer-better pictures of the mei today. Kind regards Franco Quote
John A Stuart Posted April 13, 2018 Report Posted April 13, 2018 I think there is little doubt it is Toshimune. John Quote
francantolin Posted April 13, 2018 Author Report Posted April 13, 2018 Hello, here some ''better'' pics of the mei, for the blade. I will post the pictures in another forum categorie I think. Kind regards !! Quote
francantolin Posted April 13, 2018 Author Report Posted April 13, 2018 Now correct pictures ! Still Big Thanks !!! Quote
Ray Singer Posted April 13, 2018 Report Posted April 13, 2018 No change to the prior translation. 因州住壽宗 - Inshu ju Toshimune Quote
TheGermanBastard Posted April 13, 2018 Report Posted April 13, 2018 Hello Franco, the worst part / flaw of the blade will be teh critical point as to whetere it can be restored or not. Being a Shinshinto blade you probably have enough meat left to deal with any pitting taht can been seen from the images ... the nicks are not too bad. There is just one spot in your images that troubles me. Please see attached. It could just be some discoloration. I would like to see a better image of this area. In general larger images of the blade would help to advice on wheter it is restoreable or not. Best regards Quote
francantolin Posted April 13, 2018 Author Report Posted April 13, 2018 Thank you Raymond for the translation !!! 1 Quote
TheGermanBastard Posted April 14, 2018 Report Posted April 14, 2018 - ... posted in wrong topic Quote
Peter Bleed Posted April 14, 2018 Report Posted April 14, 2018 I bet this sword will polish just fine and be a terrific addition to a collection. Luis points outs a suspicious spot, but I I still think it will be all right. Peter Quote
Prewar70 Posted April 14, 2018 Report Posted April 14, 2018 Seriously now. I am barely an amateur but if this sword would polish out just fine than I would be amazed. I've had 3 blades polished thus far that started out in far better shape and I was surprised at the flaws that appeared. Quote
Bazza Posted April 14, 2018 Report Posted April 14, 2018 Choose your friends carefully and your swords more so... BaZZa. 1 Quote
Guest Posted April 14, 2018 Report Posted April 14, 2018 Agreed Toshimune Likely part of Toshizane school but he is Meikan more... -t Quote
TheGermanBastard Posted April 14, 2018 Report Posted April 14, 2018 I bet this sword will polish just fine and be a terrific addition to a collection. Luis points outs a suspicious spot, but I I still think it will be all right. Peter Hello Peter, I would take any bett against you It is actually worse than I first thought. No chance on this old lady ... Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted April 14, 2018 Report Posted April 14, 2018 Luis is right. Keep the blade as it is, & for what it's worth, Franco. Now you have a starting point from which to learn...including what you should spend your money on! Just because a blade COULD be restored (to some extent) doesn't mean that it SHOUld be. Your blade would have to be drastically reshaped to get rid of that bad spot. Have you bought some books to start the education process? Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted April 16, 2018 Report Posted April 16, 2018 At best it could be reshaped into a O-Tanto. Quote
TheGermanBastard Posted April 16, 2018 Report Posted April 16, 2018 Hello John, I guess only into one with a missing boshi 1 Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted April 16, 2018 Report Posted April 16, 2018 Well you would clearly do a new Yaki-Ire for it (we're this far down the rabbit hole now).... Quote
SAS Posted April 22, 2018 Report Posted April 22, 2018 Then we could discuss the meanings of preservation....... Quote
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