Mei question

[Mike P.]

I'm looking for a little help.

 

I have a blade that I've been told is signed "Bizen Kuni Osafune Ju Tomomitsu" (tachi mei, see pictures). Is this mei exclusive of the Osafune Tomomitsu from the Nambokucho era or are there any shinto or later smiths that used the same name? I would not think so, so I wanted some confirmation on whether it is indeed gimei.

 

Nagasa is 26" and the blade is slender yet healthy, 20mm tori sori, and tapering from 30mm to 20mm with what appears to be gunome midare under the long gone polish, and a near-ichimai boshi.

 

Also, if as I suspect the blade is gimei, what would you gentlemen recommend as a course of action for sending it to be restored (how much $$, time, and effort would you spend on this item).

 

Thank you in advance!

 

Mike Pilo

 

[Jacques D.]

Hi,

 

No need to check the signature, this blade cannot have been made by Osafune Tomomitsu (Nanbokucho era), this blade (which seems ubu) is really too short,

 

About the signature, it should be Bishu Ju Osafune Tomomitsu 備州住長船倫光 and not Bizen kuni Osafune Ju Tomomitsu 備前國長船住友光.

 

 

Edit

 

Ju 住 is placed, thanks Jean.

[Jean]

備州長船倫光

lacks the Jû (住) which should be between the second and third kanji.

 

"Tomo" kanji different in the 2 mei

[Jacques D.]

Hi,

 

"Tomo" kanji different in the 2 mei

 

Yes of course, Tomomitsu (Rintomomitsu Enbun jidai) used the ji 倫 in his signature not the ji 友

[Jean]

The remark was intended for Mike in case he had not noticed.

[Mike P.]

Gentlemen,

 

Thank you for the replies. Little doubt then that the sword is gimei.

 

What would be the best aproach for restoring this blade, if any.

 

Mike Pilo

[Ted Tenold]

Hey Mike,

 

It really depends on how good the work in the blade is and it's condition. If it's good work and restorable, then having the signature removed is just part of the process of making it "honest" again. In short, it'd need to be examined for potential. If the work is lackluster or the blade diminished, then it may not be a good candidate.

[Jean]

To the question often asked : Is this sword worth polishing? here is my "personnal" opinion (and I share it )

 

Unless : you can waste money without thinking/caring, you are sentimental, altruist :

 

Pound this over : (an old cooking recette) put purchase cost in a bowl, add a good spoonfull of professional restoration (polishing) - mix every components, put it in the oven and after cooking go to the cake shop (sorry I meant, the dealer) and compare the result (price) between your restored blade and one bought in full polish, sometimes (not to say often) it is not worth the money.

[Jacques D.]

Hi,

 

I think it could be a kazuuchi-mono and in this case it don't be worth for a restoration.

[Mike P.]

I will pursue further examination, as recomended, before deciding on a restoration direction.

 

I'd like to ask for academic purpose only, if the blade ends up not being worth paying the price of a polish due to being not much more than a kasuuchi-mono, what should become of such a blade? What would be the proper course of action?

 

Thank you for the input gentlemen.

 

Mike Pilo

 

Edit: browsing around I came up with the answer: if you're swimming in cash get her done, if not, don't. Unfortunately I'm not swimming in cash but I would like to see the blade restored to a minimum acceptable standard, that I might enjoy it even if it is of mediocre provenance... otherwise it would have to sit in the attic or be sold for what it is worth.

 

Which begs the question, who would establish the bar for such a polish and what might one expect to spend for it?

I know very well this is a question with an impossible answer, but if anyone in the know has time to kill and interest to express some opinions for the sake of musing, I'm all ears.

[Brian]

Mike,

On my blades that are very out of polish and perhaps have some surface rust or stains, I use a decent cleaning set for Nihonto, and do regular uchiko work over a period of months or years. Gradually the hamon comes out better and the stains reduce, allowing me to enjoy them as is until I can oneday afford a polish or allow the next generation to decide to polish or not.

There are cautions about using too much uckiko, especially on in-polish blades, but I find on very old blades that are far out of polish, you can't do too much damage and it won't look worse than before. Regular oiling also gets rid of active rust and prevents further degrading of the blade.

 

Brian

[mdiddy]

Mike,

 

Can you post pictures of the blade? Maybe one of the kissaki and another 4-6in length of the blade, highlighting any rust? Would be nice to see what you are dealing with. If the blade is not the best workmanship but has hada/hamon that can be brought out as well as not having major rust or damage maybe you can find a polisher who charges in the $50/in range for a more modest restoration. Expect months not weeks to have it returned.

 

Matt

[Mike P.]

Will do. Some photos:

 

 

Matt, months instead of years would be better than what I'm used to for a decent polish.

Thank you for all the contributions gentlemen.

 

Mike Pilo

[Mike P.]

Gentlemen, any additional comments about this roughed up little blade of mine based on the photos.

Much appreciated,

 

Mike Pilo

[loiner1965]

its in better nick than my two swords i have mike....just keep it well oiled for now,

i like it by the way.

i look at swords this way....they do not belong to us we are only looking after them for the future generations to enjoy

[Mike P.]

Thank you Steve, it is an elegant blade and I would like to justfify the expense to bring it back to life. But if not, I will provide custody until someone else can

 

 

Mike P.

[mdiddy]

Hey Mike,

 

Its tough to tell from the pictures but is the yokote intact? It does not look so. If not I might shy away from putting any add'l $$ into the blade and just keep it oiled and preserved as is. If the yokote is intact and you want to show it off to your non-nihonto friends then maybe its worth putting a few hundred in if you could find an amateur polisher. I think I'd leave it as is. My $.02. Hope that helps!

 

Matt

[Mike P.]

Hi Matt,

The whole blade including yokote and kissaki is intact with the exception of the scratches, rust, and tini edge chips, the narume polish is basically gone, but there is a rather pronounced change of geometry where the yokote should be, which was not captured on the photo. No evidence at all the blade has been abused by grinding or removing steel, probably never been repolished judging by the overall rather-meaty kasane, which does not taper at the machi.

Thanks,

 

Mike P.