Thoughts About This Waki / O-Tanto

[Ohtar]

i like to know the experts thougts about this waki, is short abut 32 cm seems more a tanto but seems original to me, is mumei,i dont have problems about the blade, original 100%, not forging flaws, hagire, etc. i suposed Edo era but the koshirae is rare and for this reason i like it, the saya is a well donne job, the eye of the dragon is a piece of motherpearl, the tsuka seems very original for his form, i supposed is a edo reproduction koshirao of the muromachi antique sayas, is a dragon in one size and other size a crest family. The fuchi kashira seems good to me too, edo but first period, last period? thoughts? regards guys

 

 

[Geraint]

Dear Eric.

 

I am certainly not an expert so probably shouldn't reply.  So for what it is worth here are some thoughts.  Mumei possibly sue koto ko wakizashi or sunobi tanto whichever you prefer. (My own view would be that it's a ko wakizashi.)    No shot of the nakago so without that information.  The images are not good enough to see what is going on in the hamon which would worry me if I were buying it.  So yes, genuine but nothing special.

 

The koshirae.  Well it seems to want to be a metazashi.  Clearly a recent rebind and not a very good one, see the way the kashira  sits.  So what is to say that the bizarre shape is not brand new?  The fittings are of little interest  from my perspective and the saya, well, have a look at the mon in the fourth image, Sakai family but poorly done.  My feeling is that this is a recent confection and not Edo.

 

I can see why it caught your eye but I would be keeping my wallet in my pocket on this one.

 

All the best.

[Ohtar]

hi Geraint, nakago pictures added, the question is why elaborate a hard kind of saya like this when you can make a cheaper saya with no pictures, no motherpearl, etc, maybe some collector creation? the fuchi and kashira is not a master piece i agree but are better than a non relieved one, so it seems they got a  little of work to do it, not a daymio sword quality but courios one, meake a new tsuka are not so ceap, and all koshirae seems worked not the finest quality but better of a normal one, my toughts it will be donne after edo, can be, same seems very clear, maybe for a collector that dessign his own waki, or restored an old family one?

[Geraint]

Dear Eric.

 

Of course your suggestions are all possible, though we have no way of knowing if any of them are correct.  What remains is what we see, an unsigned wakizashi with no papers in questionable koshirae.  Given the market value of the blade it is possible that someone has elected to turn it into something more interesting in the hopes of a good return.  Let me confess to buying several unsigned and unpapered wakizashi over the years but in each case they have blades of some interest and what I consider to be good koshirae.  By good I mean largely original and of some quality, at least to my eye..  

 

If you are considering buying this then it is absolutely your choice, of course.  All I am suggesting is, from the photographs, what would put me off it.  

 

All the best.

[Hoshi]

I would not buy it either and I completely agree with Geraint. 

 

I can add on the Nihonto side: I have no trust at all in that Nakago, it looks like a very fresh patina to my eyes. You clearly see yasurimine and there is active orange rust on it. I think it could be Meiji. 

[TETSUGENDO]

Eric,

 

Just to hammer the third nail in, I must agree with the opinions expressed by Geraint and Chris.  This type of koshirae was very popular with curio collectors in the west from the Meiji period to the 1930's.  They were made in various quality levels, from very fine to crude.  This is a poor quality example on all accounts, as has been suggested, I would give it a pass as well.

 

Cheers,

    -S-

[Ohtar]

so nothing is donne in edo? even blade?  i got a showa katana signed, and dont have many rust on nagako its true but, is very clear comparing with this, i got mumei too with kicho and other signed that can be gimei, i didnt kow this tipe of koshirae was popular for westerns in Meige era, the blade at least seems make it with tamahagane not like copies in nowadays that you can see in souvenirs places of Japan.

[Geraint]

Dear Eric.

 

The blade is genuine, the fittings are genuine, all Edo or earlier,  it's just the assembly which is questionable.

 

Hope this helps.

 

All the best.

[TETSUGENDO]

Beg to differ, the least questionable thing about this is the "assembly".  This is a common enough bit of Meiji pastiche complete with antique looking fittings.  I'm sure the original finish of the saya was much less gruesome than its present incarnation.  I do agree that the blade is genuine, and that's about it.  Again unless some element/elements of this package are irresistible.....pass.

 

-S-

[Ohtar]

thanks for your opinions guys, already understand, original blade and part of the fittings, create in meigi era for a own owner or for a trader that want to make more money with blade, the blade indeed dont dissagree me, i think the saya can be a reproduction and the tsuka and same too, im already donne the same making my own blade, i will like to create my own piece is a showa blade but have fuchi, kashira, tsuba and menukis buying in Japan of a good quality, made for a koshirae profesional with certification, and the saya and tsuka will be gonna be new of course, i wanted my own katana after all you can collect many tipes of katanas, original, in sirayasa, etc. 

[TETSUGENDO]

Ohtar,

 

Many fine swords with koshirae are offered for sale here on NMB, you should check the for sale listings from time to time.

 

-S-