Considering a First Purchase-Opinions

[kolhoznik]

I have been interested in the Japanese Art Sword for some years and I have recently become serious about making a first purchase and would like it to be one I am happy with and don't start to hate later.  I come from a coin collecting background so I appreciate the need for research before a purchase.  The more I read the more I realize I need to learn so I was very happy to come across this site.   I came across a katana that I thought might be promising and worth consideration as a purchase and would welcome some feedback before buying.  

 

The tang is signed Nobukuni Mitsumasa and the year 1779.  I believe that would be Hawley MIT127.  Regretfully I did not get a pic of the tang, but this is the information given by the seller. 

 

The sword is in shirasaya and is in good polish.   I could not see any major flaws. Would this be a good starter blade? If so what would be a fair price?

 

-Mike

[Ganko]

I don't see any physical problems with the sword. As to the validity of the signature, the nakago is not shown, so? A fair price depends on many factors and everyone has different preferences. Generally a blade of 70 cm is more valuable, a flashier hamon can often command more, decent mountings can also add to the value. This Mitsumasa is given a rating of 50 in Hawley and 3.5 mil Yen in the Toko Taikan. The signature should be authenticated, otherwise it should be considered a mumei blade and priced accordingly.

Do not be in too big of a hurry or you may regret it later, learning about these swords can be an expensive proposition.

[16k]

Nice blade. Buy the blade, not the name, and this blade looks good!

[ChrisW]

I would get a confirmed picture of the Nakago before talking price any further.

[David Flynn]

It's in fresh polish and Shirasaya, does it have Kanteisho?  If it doesn't, why not?

[gustaf]

For $3,200 that seller is asking you can probably do better but that’s your call.

[Rivkin]

Well, its not a huge name with even fewer blades to the name (not a lot of demand at the time), and the work shows nothing obviously disputing the signature, though without seeing the nakago and/or better photographs its hard to tell - but as far as purchases go the risk of gimei here is not that high. 

It appears to be in full polish and there are some good things about the sword. If its long enough, and you like it, generally speaking can be a decent purchase for the money. Below the polish-shirasaya price.

 

Kirill R.

[vajo]

Has a nice hada.

A classical shape and it is long.

 

Looks not bad for me. But i would really like to see the complete sword.

[Ken-Hawaii]

Mike, if you have the budget for this blade, I'm wondering how much you've spent on books, so you understand what you're buying?

 

As others have stated, the blade is in decent polish, but its lack of distinctive jihada, & with a rather blah hamon, it just doesn't appeal to me.

[kolhoznik]

Thank you to everyone who has responded so far. It has been a big help. I have asked the seller for some pictures of the nakago and I will post as soon as they arrive. I am doing a lot of reading but would always welcome more good titles to look for?

[kolhoznik]

I have got some pictures of the nakago. Does all seem good where that is concerned? Also if anyone can read the kanji I would much appreciate it.

 

Mike

[francois2605]

My 1,5 cents: 

 

 

You can find some of those kanji here: http://www.jssus.org/nkp/kanji_for_mei.html

[Brian]

A good effort Francois, well done, very close.
So you have Nobu...next one, anytime you see that "box" kanji, think Kuni.
So Nobukuni Mitsu...you got the masa correct.
And then having another part of a name at the end would be odd, so look at typical mei endings and you will come up with saku or kitau or tsukuru. In this case...made (tsukuru)
So it is Nobukuni Mitsumasa tsukuru.

Compare with http://www.nipponto.co.jp/swords5/KT331359.htm

[francois2605]

Thanks Brian, I just saw your post after editing mine. I eventually found "tsukuru" here 

 

Thanks also for explaining the logic, this will help for future attempts.

[DoTanuki yokai]

http://www.sword-auction.jp/en/content/as15375-%E5%88%80-%E4%BF%A1%E5%9B%BD%E5%85%89%E6%98%8C%E9%80%A0-katana-nobukuni-mitsumasa-zo

I think i would wait for one with horimono from this smith.

[kolhoznik]

Christian that is a beautiful example. The price is a little bit out of my first blade budget though.

[francois2605]

Just curious, are the signatures close enough to consider that the signature is genuine ? I'd say yes.

 

[Brian]

I would give a hard "no"
But just my opinion. Stroke strength and styles are way off. Look at the mitsu. But buy the blade, forget the mei unless it has papers.

[SAS]

I agree with Brian that a different hand did those mei; i don't know if there was more than one generation that signed that way, worth researching if you are looking to acquire the sword.

[Alex A]

If your buying swords by looking at photos then i would advise you to buy from someone trustworthy and reliable.

 

What exactly are you looking for ?

 

Some good deals appear in the sales section here.

[SAS]

I haven't listed it yet, but when i do, my signed Aizu Kawachi no Daijo Kunisada (1680s) wakizashi in shirasaya will be (is) for sale for $1600.

[kolhoznik]

Yes SAS please send me some more info

[Surfson]

I just sent you a personal message suggesting a much more interesting sword on ebay that I think will go much cheaper than this one.  

[Tom Darling]

Robert,

 

What name do you go by on Ebay. 

 

Regards,

 

Tom D.

[Surfson]

Same one as here Tom, Surfson.   But the sword I am referring to is not mine or that of anybody I know.