MacTheWhopper Posted December 30, 2019 Report Posted December 30, 2019 Is there a website that helps to identify the age of a blade? I just recently purchased this sword and it had alot of information on it, I am just not sure on how to confirm the information on it. Does dawsons book cover older swords? I had received the following information on the sword: Possibly Mino, late Koto or Early Shinto circa 1550 Very attractive fittings with cold gold was effect, possibly applied later in sword's life (1800's). No tsuba. Laquered wood saya with tachi elements to fittings. Blade possibly shortened early Mino (One of the 5 traditions in Japanese swordmaking). Unsigned, probably shortened from longer katana. Small nick to edge nearer tip. Very nice gilded habaki, this was originally a top-notch piece. Hamon visible nearer habaki, invisible near kissaki (tip). Need to be polished. Any information is greatly appreciated. Thank you. Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted December 30, 2019 Report Posted December 30, 2019 From what I can see of the hamon, I doubt your blade is Mino. Can you provide photos of the entire bare blade? Also, detailed shots of the nakago & boshi will help establish jidai & school. Skip the koshirae shots, for now. 1 Quote
MacTheWhopper Posted January 1, 2020 Author Report Posted January 1, 2020 From what I can see of the hamon, I doubt your blade is Mino. Can you provide photos of the entire bare blade? Also, detailed shots of the nakago & boshi will help establish jidai & school. Skip the koshirae shots, for now. Sorry it took so long to respond. Spent a couple of days with the girlfriends family for a late xmas. I havent received the sword yet but i will post the other photos that I have. Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted January 1, 2020 Report Posted January 1, 2020 Probably going to have to wait until you have the blade in hand, but, hey, it's just next decade. Quote
SAS Posted January 1, 2020 Report Posted January 1, 2020 Why do you doubt that it is Mino, Ken? It looks very similar hamon wise to my Manji era Kunisada, and has takanoha yasurime which is consistent with some Mino schools....being potentially suriage, it could be late koto Kanexx or Kunixx work; the large nakago ana is also a clue. 1 Quote
Blazeaglory Posted January 8, 2020 Report Posted January 8, 2020 From what I can see of the hamon, I doubt your blade is Mino. Can you provide photos of the entire bare blade? Also, detailed shots of the nakago & boshi will help establish jidai & school. Skip the koshirae shots, for now. Why do you say this? Quote
MacTheWhopper Posted January 9, 2020 Author Report Posted January 9, 2020 Received the sword today and am posting more pictures. Also. I believe this sword should have a tsuba and the other pieces for the tsuba on it. When looking for a tsuba that would go with this sword, What would I like for? Like something that is within the period of the fittings? Quote
ChrisW Posted January 9, 2020 Report Posted January 9, 2020 Finding a tsuba that fits can be a challenge. What other pieces were you referring to though? Quote
SAS Posted January 9, 2020 Report Posted January 9, 2020 Seppa probably; here is a sword of mine that seems reminiscent of yours, though the nakago on mine is shorter.... Quote
raaay Posted January 9, 2020 Report Posted January 9, 2020 the file marks on the tang look like Taka-no-ha , a good indication for the Mino school , but not guaranteed , but good starting point IMHO Quote
MacTheWhopper Posted January 9, 2020 Author Report Posted January 9, 2020 Seppa probably; here is a sword of mine that seems reminiscent of yours, though the nakago on mine is shorter.... Yes I believe the seppa is correct. Quote
SAS Posted January 9, 2020 Report Posted January 9, 2020 The OP's sword appears to be machi okuri, in which case the nakago may have been shorter, even more similar to mine. Quote
MacTheWhopper Posted January 10, 2020 Author Report Posted January 10, 2020 The OP's sword appears to be machi okuri, in which case the nakago may have been shorter, even more similar to mine. That is interesting to know. Knowing that I paid 430.00 for the sword as it is. Was that an alright price for it? Not having the Tsuba is a bit of concern for me as i know they can be expensive. Quote
Peter Bleed Posted January 10, 2020 Report Posted January 10, 2020 Kenny, My sense is that $430 for this sword was very reasonable. Your babies will not starve. My "guess" is that this is an old sword that was shortened during the Edo period. Getting it polished would probably be beyond its value, but I think that it can be appreciated with ample cleaning (nothing abrasive). Hunting for a nice old tsuba and comfortable seppa will be fun and will make this a very presentable antique. Congratulations! Peter Quote
MacTheWhopper Posted January 10, 2020 Author Report Posted January 10, 2020 Kenny, My sense is that $430 for this sword was very reasonable. Your babies will not starve. My "guess" is that this is an old sword that was shortened during the Edo period. Getting it polished would probably be beyond its value, but I think that it can be appreciated with ample cleaning (nothing abrasive). Hunting for a nice old tsuba and comfortable seppa will be fun and will make this a very presentable antique. Congratulations! Peter This is very good to know. It came with this seppa so I think i just need to find a tsuba that will go well with the sword. Quote
SAS Posted January 10, 2020 Report Posted January 10, 2020 There are inexpensive tsuba to be had if you look around; the price you paid was not bad.You will want to take measurements of the width and thickness next to the habaki to find a tsuba that will fit. Enjoy your sword! Quote
MacTheWhopper Posted January 10, 2020 Author Report Posted January 10, 2020 I took a measurement with the habaki and seppa in place and i got 5/8" on that measurement to the fuchi. That seems like a really big tsuba though, isnt it? The Tsuba on my gunto is much smaller than that. Quote
SAS Posted January 10, 2020 Report Posted January 10, 2020 I think you are speaking of the thickness, yes? That would be really thick I think; maybe the habaki or tsuka were not original to the koshirae. A bit tricky to resolve, might have to send it out to get it worked out, if your measurement is correct. Quote
MacTheWhopper Posted January 10, 2020 Author Report Posted January 10, 2020 Yeah. its 5/8" in thickness. It only has 1 seppa fitting with it but i dont think that would make much of a difference though. Quote
Guest Posted January 10, 2020 Report Posted January 10, 2020 Good morning Kenny, I believe the style of your Koshirae is referred to as Handachi. This old thread may help in choosing an appropriate Tsuba: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/6503-literal-meaning-of-handachi-applied-to-sword-koshirae/ Quote
SAS Posted January 10, 2020 Report Posted January 10, 2020 Maybe a couple of fat custom seppa would do the trick...I have seen that a few times. Quote
MacTheWhopper Posted January 10, 2020 Author Report Posted January 10, 2020 Good morning Kenny, I believe the style of your Koshirae is referred to as Handachi. This old thread may help in choosing an appropriate Tsuba: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/6503-literal-meaning-of-handachi-applied-to-sword-koshirae/ Thats really good info to know. After doing a little bit of research online, I cant seem to find a Tsuba that is that big though, it makes me thing that the tsuka was just pieced together with the blade but I do hope to be wrong. I suppose the WTB section is my best bet for this or to have something custom made Maybe a couple of fat custom seppa would do the trick...I have seen that a few times. May have to do that. Was hoping to try and keep the sword in older condition but I dont think there is much for options on it Quote
Geraint Posted January 10, 2020 Report Posted January 10, 2020 Dear Kenny. There is hope here. I have attached a picture of a very similar handachi wakizashi of mine which has two pairs of seppa. It is quite possible that your sword had the same originally. Tachi often have more than one set of seppa and shingunto and kaigunto mimic this with up to four sets of seppa, some of which are sometimes quite thick, so it is quite reasonable for a handachi to follow this pattern. If you find a tsuba that you like it is a relatively simple matter to make some seppa or have some made to take up the slack. Hope this helps. 1 Quote
SAS Posted January 10, 2020 Report Posted January 10, 2020 The Naval swords had a pretty thick setup as well, with multiple seppa shaped to match the tsuba....someone expert in that kind of koshirae can help more than me; however, if i can help you, do not hesitate to ask. Quote
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