Interesting Bohi

[Brad737]

Hello all,

 

I ran across this sword for sale. It’s pretty cool, but I’m really new to Nihonto and therefore a little suspicious. This sword has the regular bohi on each side of the sword. But as you move up the blade, the single bohi stops, and the smith engraved 2 grooves the rest of the way. Like I said, I’m new, so I’ve never seen this before. Is this actually a thing, or is the seller trying to pull a fast one with an unsigned, creatively-engraved-but-newer blade? If this does look legit, any idea which smiths used to do it this way?

 

Thanks,

Brad

[Mark]

it looks genuine. i have seem this type of horimono a number of times. i do not think only one smith or group did it so as far as i know you can not attribute it from this

[Ray Singer]

The last time I have seen this was on a Nobukuni, who did complex horimono arrangements, however I agree with Mark that you should not kantei just on this attribute because it can appear on a wide range of swords from different schools. 

[Moley]

Interesting, I wonder what the "Tachi Kaze" would be like ?

[Geraint]

Hi Brad.

 

You really ask two questions; is this a recognised type of horimono and is the seller trying to pull a fast one.  As Mark and Ray have already said the answer to the first question is a yes.  The answer to the second part of the question would need overall photographs of the blade and nakago.  If you feel like showing us some more you might get a bit more information on which to base your purchase.

 

Have a look here, scroll down about a dozen swords.

 

http://yakiba.com/Newlisting.htm

 

All the best.

[Brad737]

Hello friends,

 

Thanks for the info so far. I’ve seen the Nobukuni on Ed’s site, but the hi are reversed, compared to this one. Also, the blade in question is mumei. So skeptic in me thought it may be a Chinese sword, trying to look fancy. I DO like the look a lot. Here are a few more pics.

 

Thanks,

Brad

[Brad737]

Tang

[Brad737]

Boshi

[Ray Singer]

Sword looks authentic Brad. Not a Chinese fake.

[Peter Bleed]

Looks fine to me. Maybe not to everybody's taste, but certainly not "faked."

Peter

[Brad737]

Good news. Thanks, Ray. Care to venture a wild guess on the smith? Nobukuni?

[Geraint]

Dear Brad,

 

Nice one!  Not Nukobuni or Nobukuni I think, but looks good.

 

Very pleased for you.

 

All the best.

[Ray Singer]

Not comfortable giving an attribution based on the provided photos.

 

Good news. Thanks, Ray. Care to venture a wild guess on the smith? Nukobuni?

[Brad737]

Thank you, Gents. If I end up buying it, I’m definitely going to send it for shinsa. I’ll keep you posted.

Thanks,

Brad

[vajo]

Look on page 42 of the connoisseurs book of Japanese swords.

There is a list of smiths for these Futasuji-bi.

 

Many hi had a deeper meaning and are not only decoration.

[Brad737]

I don’t have it yet, Chris. I bought it on eBay, but it just got shipped on Monday. I’ll check it out. Thanks

 

Look on page 42 of the connoisseurs book of Japanese swords.

There is a list of smiths for these Futasuji-bi.

 

Many hi had a deeper meaning and are not only decoration.

[Brad737]

Interesting, I wonder what the "Tachi Kaze" would be like ?

Hopefully, I’ll be able to tell you before long.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Nakago looks fairly new, I would say late 1800's onwards. Looks like a well made sword.

[Brad737]

Seller says late Muromachi Period...1500s.

[Jean]

Brad,

 

Is it papered? This will help to specify the period when it was forged. Otherwise, it is difficult to give a time frame. It seems the nakago has been slightly altered to rework the hamachi. The Nakago does not look very Muromachi.

[Shugyosha]

I'm in the shinshinto camp too, maybe late shinto but lots newer than 1500s. 

[mfarrar]

One frequent seller on eBay in particular I have seen list a sword that was gendaito as muromachi, even though it was clearly signed by a well known gendaito Smith. Looks like a nice sword, would be interesting to see better resolution pictures to see hada and any activity.

[Brad737]

Brad,

 

Is it papered? This will help to specify the period when it was forged. Otherwise, it is difficult to give a time frame. It seems the nakago has been slightly altered to rework the hamachi. The Nakago does not look very Muromachi.

No, it isn’t papered. My first purchase ended up having a rather dubious mei, so I returned it. I told myself after that, I’d only consider signed, papered swords. But for some reason, I really like this one. It’s just different from what I’ve seen so far.

[vajo]

I must say i like the sugata very much. It looks very elegance..

[Brad737]

I appreciate the comments, gents. Would you mind guessing what this blade may be worth?

Thanks,

Brad