Early Kamakura Tachi Auction

[Utopianarian]

 This past October an auction was held in Florida for  Kunimune Tachi. I don’t know how I missed this but seems like an interesting blade. Looks like some type of preservation or restoration was done with some kind of orange epoxy to support areas of metal loss from further deterioration. See what your thoughts are on the blade. It definitely looks early Kamakura to me. 79.9cm early Tachi shape with deep Koshi sori with pheasant leg type nakago. Hada and hamon look right with ko-kissaki. Btw I think it auctioned for $3500 plus 26% buyers premium

[PNSSHOGUN]

Not epoxy but Urushi lacquer, not sure what the overall consensus is on it but most of the blades I have seen with this lacquer in the Hi have been pretty average quality.

[b.hennick]

Yes, red lacquer in groves is not unusual. The lacquer may hide a defect but no always. Theatrical blades often had red lacquer... Blood.

[Utopianarian]

Interesting it looks like the lacquer is helping to kind of hide or help with deterioration. What is the purpose of urushi lacquer. I’ve seen it before but wasn’t 100% sure what it’s real purpose was

[Utopianarian]

Raymond I think lives in Florida where the auction was held wonder if he knows more about this one

[PNSSHOGUN]

Urushi has traditionally been used to fill small rust pockets/pits to stop further rust developing. For some blades polishing deep enough to clear the pocket isn't possible/sensible.

[Utopianarian]

Thank you for the info

[Toryu2020]

Looks like someone gussied up a muromachi piece, altered the nakago, added a mei and artificially aged it. Someone spent $3499 too much. mho

-t

[Katsujinken]

That is 100% not Heian. And that mei sure is in a strange spot. 
 

Move along...

[Tom Darling]

2 hours ago, Toryu2020 said:

Looks like someone gussied up a muromachi piece, altered the nakago, added a mei and artificially aged it. Someone spent $3499 too much. mho

-t

You are sooo right. Good judgment.

 

Tom D.