10thRoyal Posted September 11, 2021 Report Posted September 11, 2021 I just happened to stumble across a well mounted wakizashi that I know next to nothing about save for a surrender tag and was hoping someone hero might give me a bit more information about it. The tag's spelling of 秋広作 does not seem to match an Akihiro on nihontoclub.com's database so I was wondering if anyone else has heard of someone going by that name. The blade is unsigned as well. Is the tag even worth trusting? 2 Quote
Rivkin Posted September 11, 2021 Report Posted September 11, 2021 Late Muromachi 1520- waki, maybe in Soshu or Seki, Sengo or other related style (nakago will tell more). Today Muromachi attributions to Akihiro are not supported, though for earlier Muromachi periods they are not outright rejected. 1 Quote
10thRoyal Posted September 11, 2021 Author Report Posted September 11, 2021 Thank you Rivkin. Here is the nakago. Quote
Fuuten Posted September 11, 2021 Report Posted September 11, 2021 Well the tag is just something for convenience and I think board opinion is no one knows until shinsa/papering process. And even then, with mumei blades the result won't be cut in stone (so it could paper with different results between organisations or even with the same one). It's a real Japanese antique so no matter what you did good Also swordsmiths tend to have the same names for multiple generations with differences in between. 1 Quote
Rivkin Posted September 11, 2021 Report Posted September 11, 2021 For some reason attributing Muromachi blades specifically to Akihiro was a common thing in Edo period. I had quite a few Honami attributions like that. Go figure. 1 Quote
10thRoyal Posted September 12, 2021 Author Report Posted September 12, 2021 On 9/11/2021 at 10:20 PM, Rivkin said: For some reason attributing Muromachi blades specifically to Akihiro was a common thing in Edo period. I had quite a few Honami attributions like that. Go figure. Expand That's bizarre but not surprising. It makes sense that that would happen out of a sense of convenience or simply "that's how it's done". Even if it is probably a run of the mill Muromachi blade, it's still quite pretty with a beautiful tsuba. Well worth the $100 I paid for it. 3 1 Quote
10thRoyal Posted September 14, 2021 Author Report Posted September 14, 2021 Even with the somewhat suspect attestation, do y'all believe this blade warrants further research? The last centimeter of the kissaki is bent and the tip broken but beside that there is little wear. Quote
Winchester Posted September 22, 2021 Report Posted September 22, 2021 It's probably always a good idea to try to learn more. I really like this blade and the saya. If you decide to sell down-the-road, please let me know. I am just a new collector and find it interesting and appealing; I am not a reseller; or really know a heck of a lot about it. It just talks to me, warts and all. 1 Quote
Tom Darling Posted September 22, 2021 Report Posted September 22, 2021 Can anyone date the tsuka and saya? Quote
John A Stuart Posted September 22, 2021 Report Posted September 22, 2021 Soshu influence or attributes. Akihiro from Sagami? 13 century. John Quote
John A Stuart Posted September 23, 2021 Report Posted September 23, 2021 Maybe a latter generation as pointed out sugata too early for time stated. John Quote
Wolfmanreid Posted September 27, 2021 Report Posted September 27, 2021 I'd say it was well worth the buy for the fittings alone! 1 Quote
Kanenaga Posted November 6, 2021 Report Posted November 6, 2021 Soshu Akihiro -- 14th century, no? Quote
Ken-Hawaii Posted November 7, 2021 Report Posted November 7, 2021 On 9/14/2021 at 12:26 PM, 10thRoyal said: do y'all believe this blade warrants further research? Expand Research? No. Kantei? Sure, but this blade barely makes it as a collectible. To qualify for shinsa, the kissaki damage would have to be repaired, with a polish, & a new shirasaya - that really takes it out of the realm of cost-effectiveness. Enjoy it for what it is. Quote
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