Umegane?!

[Marc Ecknauer]

Hi Guys

what do you think about this horimono and my thoughts about big pieces of Replacements that in my opinion have been done…?!

 

[Brian]

I personally don't think anything was replaced. I think those lines are the remnants of carvings that were once cut deep, and have now been polished flat.

[RichardP]

Hello Marc—
The lower hairline maybe looks consistent with an attempt to conceal a patch, but the one on top is so pronounced that it casts a shadow.  I dunno what is going on, but since it doesn’t seem like any attempt was made to conceal the upper line, I’d guess that this isn’t umegane, or any malicious attempt at concealing anything.
I’m assuming that this is a blade you’re considering purchasing and the seller’s description doesn’t mention umegane?  If so, have you asked the seller directly?  I would think the seller should be willing to provide clear photos of the portions that are in shadow, if you request them.  Is it a reputable seller offering an inspection/return policy?

[Mark S.]

51 minutes ago, Brian said:

…remnants of carvings that were once cut deep, and have now been polished flat.

The rest of the horimono looks pretty polished down so this is definitely a possibility.  Could it also be remnants of an old flaw in the blade that the horimono was engraved over to cover up… or just an area of core steel that is starting to show through from numerous polishes?  

[Marc Ecknauer]

Thank you very much for your opinion.

I am not interested in buying this piece, i was just wondering there isn’t anything mentioned in the offering text. I asked the dealer about it and he just told me that it is a kizu. I am interested to school my eyes on situations like this… Because i am a Metalworker i know how a replacement would look like. But i must say, if it is so, it has been done very well and accurate. I wouldn‘t have been sure about it if the Hada of that piece would have the same texture and color. But it’s darker just to the angled lines up and down… anyway, it is a fantastic piece!  by the way please excuse my english!

[ROKUJURO]

Marc,

don't worry, it is absolutely o.k. to write in English here! 

Welcome to the NMB!

[Ken-Hawaii]

That would be an unusual shape for umegane. I think it's just carving that has been polished to near-flatness.

[Nihontocollector752]

It is simply O-hada that is unsightly and so covered by a carving or to say reduced visually by a carving

[sabiji]

On 8/6/2022 at 6:56 PM, Mark S. said:

Could it also be remnants of an old flaw in the blade that the horimono was engraved over to cover up… or just an area of core steel that is starting to show through from numerous polishes?  

If blades have been polished more frequently, deeper flaws may come to light. 

 

The opinion that horimono were used to conceal flaws is widespread. In principle, this cannot be ruled out.

 

But the following considerations actually contradict this opinion:

- Horimono were quite expensive. 

- Wouldn't it be an even higher risk to deliberately conceal such spots with a horimono? The flaw could become even more noticeable and would affect the engraving in any case.

 

At least that would be my thoughts on it.

 

[Stefan]

I do not think that this is umegane. The hada runs  through the  lines. The  pattern is not broken.