This komonjo is rather obviously gimei, but what period is it from?

[jdawg221]

Hi, I posted this in the translation assistance board, but didn't get too many replies besides what the signature says. Here are some pics. I'm buying this fully mounted to use for kata, and am curious wtf it is. 

[Misconstrued]

I know many others have mixed emotions about using swords for kata and other sorts of training. I could be making myself a fool for not fully knowing what kata is. But if you are planning to use this sword for training. I would advise you use a modern reproduction as antique nihonto are unreplaceable. Again, I could be making myself for a fool.

[Mark S.]

For kata, an unsharpened iaito is usually recommended as it is far less dangerous to the user... and to the blade.  What has your instructor recommended?  Will a sharpened blade, mounted as it currently is, be allowed in the dojo?  Does the size, style and weight match the style you are practicing and your body size/type?  Wouldn't it make more sense to know "what it is" before you buy it?

[jdawg221]

I have an iaito and multiple other shinken for iaito, but was interested in this particularly the dimensions of it. Ive had people told me its a chinese blade, but I havent ever seen a chinese made plade with such a prominent kissaki and polish

[Brian]

It's....odd.
I have no idea what it is. I don't think it's a regular Japanese sword though. Too many things that are off. Mei is new.

[jdawg221]

Once ups delivers it I will take more detailed pics of it

[Bugyotsuji]

What komonjo? 
 

Oops, just saw the other thread and Komonjo must be a dealer!

[Brian]

eBay seller. Discussed for years here. * search *

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Needed a capital letter to help us newbies! 
 

“This komonjo is rather obviously gimei, but what period is it from?”
suggested to me an old manuscript that was gimei, so, having seen a few I was interested in the article! 
 

Like an old strip light, it took time for my brain to come on…

[PNSSHOGUN]

The thoughts are these are made in Korea or China, as the quality is unknown caution should be used if used for cutting.

[jdawg221]

Here's more pics. Note the koshirae is new

[Katsujinken]

On 5/28/2022 at 6:20 AM, PNSSHOGUN said:

The thoughts are these are made in Korea or China, as the quality is unknown caution should be used if used for cutting.

Agreed. 
 

You can get perfectly good/safe modern swords from outside of Japan of course (often discussed when this topic arises on the board), but we know very little about these “Komonjo” blades. 

[jdawg221]

Thanks again, but my question is are there any known smiths or forges in china and korea that are known to make these, or is it theory that it may just be something the so called "master smiths" make in their off time?

[Tensho]

There was a smith in china making very good quality swords using iron sand. They were selling on ebay as bare blades, or you could have koshirae made. A lot of people bought and used them for tameshigiri. Story "someone" assuming another ebay sword business offered him good money for his business and ebay account and he stopped being a swordsmith. The swords for sale now are Nothing like what they were. 

 

I wouldn't doubt for a second all of these blades are coming from China. They can produce good stuff if someone pays for it. Look at all the modern "Japanese" swords popping up for sale on ebay by U.S sellers. Almost all of them have no habaki, and mekugi-ana drilled. Havent looked at them in a while, but I have seen them with what look like oil quenched blades. They're obviously buying them in bulk from somewhere. 

[jdawg221]

Ah yes I think you may be referring to simon lee. He changed hands to zsey and they still make wonderful blades