might this be authentic?

[nickm]

Came across this sword that is supposed to be a vet bring back but seems to be in entirely too good of shape to have been sitting in a closet for 70 years. Any thoughts would be appreciated but of course given the pictures I know there can't be much to go on.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Definitely authentic and looks to be quite promising as well, post the Mei in the translation section.

[nickm]

it is a yosozaemon sukesada mei that looks to match up with pics i have found..

[PNSSHOGUN]

I can't say the Mei is authentic, but the sword looks like a quality piece so that's a good start.

[ChrisW]

What are its dimensions? Looks pretty good to me.

[uwe]

Dated Eishō 2 (1505).

Reading of the mei seems correct. Blade looks good, healthy boshi...etc. But why was the name of the smith chiseled offset?

[vajo]

Koto Mino my guess. Blueish steel.

[Ray Singer]

That is seen sometimes with Sue-Bizen when there is a zokumei present.

 

But why was the name of the smith chiseled offset?

[Stephen]

Nice find Nick. Is good condition is from being stored properly. Shows us what a good shirasaya can do.

If shoshin it will be another great find by NMB member.

Good luck!

[Bugyotsuji]

Where did you find it? A Darwin, er...., candidate even for Brian's discoveries thread?

[nickm]

good ole internet.. trying to get together the money to buy it. How much is too much to spend on it considering the gimei possibility?

[Geraint]

Dear Nick.

 

Is this a wakizashi or not?  Value really depends on that among other things.

 

All the best.

[nickm]

wak. i dont have dimensions yet. I was sent the photos from a friend I met through the process of hounding local auction houses..

[nickm]

My wonder is how much value you can gamble on it given of course it is a nice looking blade but the signature not being authenticated in all makes me nervous.... I imagine if it is authentic it is worth more than my truck but the mumei version Maybe a couple thousand?

[Stephen]

Time to hawk it around to thoes that know.

Fred W at Nihonto . com..and Bob Benson...you get the idea. Even AoiArt.

If shoshin im sure someone with daito would pay good for sho.

[Jussi Ekholm]

From the few out of focus pictures the blade seems quite nice. But lot better pictures of the blade and the signature would be needed to say anything of value.

 

The reason for offset mei is most likely that there was not enough room in the tang originally. This happens often with long signatures. I believe this has originally had a short nakago that was popular during the era and it has later been machi okuri by a large margin.

 

There is a lot of variance even in authentic Yosozaemon asking prices. Top items go for top dollars and good ones for good prices. You can type 備前国住長船与三左衛門尉祐定 in google and see Japanese dealers for examples and comparison mei.

[nickm]

I have emailed it to bob. Look forward to hearing what he has to say about it

[nickm]

well bob is of the opinion its likely gimie.. sad times and the search continues..

[Gang Wang]

The blade is authentic without any problem.

It is well kept but I do not think it is worth more than USD 3K.

If I am wrong ,please correct me.

[Blazeaglory]

Its a nice blade, if you want it, offer the seller $800 and see what his/her reaction is. Then go from there. Respectfully mention Its out of polish, missing koshirae, has some chips and scratches, you'll need to invest allot of money after purchase etc... See if there is room for negotiations. Im not telling you to try and lowball or scam/rip off, but start low and settle for what you feel is reasonable.

 

Hey, you can only try but I wouldn't spend more than 1k to1.5k as it stands. Its a tad bit out of polish and it looks promising, so I would expect a polish to follow shortly after purchase. Say you get it for 1k$. A polish will cost another >$1k (or more if removing Gimei), as well as new shirasaya cost (if needed) so by the end of it, even if you do get this blade for a decent price, at the end, you'll be in over 2k$ to 3k$ or more. Then there's the cost of a new koshirae if wanted. The money never stops in this hobby

 

Of if you want it as is, make a low offer and be done with it(its really not too far out of polish at least). Or walk away. I say this with the utmost respect, so you don't over pay for a piece thats possibly Gimei

[nickm]

I appreciate the replies and the advice. I imagine with this signature translation it will likely go for more than I care to spend on it. If a $1000 will get it I will buy it but it is actually at auction on May 10th so I assume it is going to go for a fare share. Going to hold out for a World War II sword with an old or mystery blade.. Speaking of which I have found a few lately at small auction houses relatively locally that are legitimately afraid of taking the handle off. Seem in no way knowledgeable about these swords and have fears of hurting the blade.. of course I know that is silly but I'm wondering if that is something you guys encounter from time to time? How much to gamble on something unknown?

[Stephen]

Nick its all down to your eye. The more you've seen n held will tell. Expect showato..Gendaito Bonus!!!

[nickm]

Do you encounter fumbari in the more modern blades? Trying to get together different things to assess age

[Rivkin]

It is a very strange blade in many aspects. The condition of nakago is not a good fit for Muromachi, it looks later. The shape which is quite straight and has pronounced fumbari almost looks Keian to Manji, but it lacks typical shinto suguha in boshi. The signature is a decent match but the writing is somewhat weak, though hard to say with just these photos.

Personal opinion it is gimei.

 

Kirill R.

[Tom Darling]

I would like to see a pic. of the entire nakago to the (no habaki)  machi. Thank you

 

Tom D.