Info on Katana, please.

[vantique]

Hi Guys, 

Hope you are all well. First time for me here. I have a Katana to show you. Will appreciate  very much your expert opinions  on its style, age and period made, swordsmith, place of origin, authenticity and value. And anything else my sword tells you 🙂. It weighs 565 grams  and is 31 1/4 inches in length. Thank you so much for your time.

 

Vantique 

 

[Geraint]

Dear Vincent.

 

Welcome!  Your sword appears to be  signed Bizen Okayama Kunimune, which means Made by Kunimune from Okayama in Bizen province. https://nihontoclub.com/smiths/KUN642 

Japanese swords often bear false signatures so no guarantees at this stage.  You give the overall length but the dimension that matters is from the tip, the kissaki, to the notch on the back of the blade where the tang starts. I am pretty sure this will be more than 600mms/24" so it is a katana. 

The shape of the nakago, the tang, is unusual, it may have been modified for a particular style of koshirae, mounting.  It seems to be in shirasaya, a plain wooden mount to protect the blade.

 

It is not in polish which means that almost all the detail is obscured.  Don't attempt any cleaning at this stage except to wipe with some light oil.  Others will chip in with thoughts soon.

 

All the best.

[vantique]

Dear Geraint, 

 

Thank you so much for the warm welcome and the swift and informative reply. The length from tip to notch where the tang starts 

is 25 ". Does it look authentic and antique to you?  Does it follow the Kunimune, Okayama style? Thank you again. 

[Geraint]

One here to start with, not papered so not guaranteed to be genuine signature.  https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24229/lot/17/?category=list&length=10&page=2

 

It is certainly a genuine antique Japanese sword.

 

All the best.

 

 

[vantique]

  On 10/29/2021 at 12:26 PM, vantique said:

Dear Geraint, 

Thank you. Very much appreciate your help. 👌🙂

 

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