Thin small tanto purchase

[Utopianarian]

The tanto is on the smaller side. uchizori, estimate 19.5cm nagasa motohaba 1.91cm by looking at the pics from the seller. Looking at the jigane appears like well forged very clear wet or oily looking in some pics in areas where there is no corrosion on the blade. There appears to be wet looking spots or islands just above or just on the hamon. The color of the steel looks promising and the appearance and composition of the hamon. It also appears like faded or worn down Bo hi or suken was once on the blade.The shirasaya looked like somebody painted it black at one time. The habaki also looks wooden. I got this blade very good price. It was advertised as antique Asian sword and not too much other info was provided including removing the blade from the shirasaya to examine the nakago. So I bought it. It was worth the gamble from what I could see. I will find out when it’s in the mail. In the pictures looks like heavy nie reflection in some pics. My gut said go for it. If it turns out to be a old letter opener from a tourist shop then so be it. What kind of clues do you guys on the board look for when looking for a promising treasure online relying on pics

[Ken-Hawaii]

The one thing I always look for is a solid, continuous nioiguchi. I've never found a good blade that doesn't have one. Of course, explaining to a seller how to take that photo is a major problem, in itself.

 

Is your tanto a yoroi-doshi?

[Utopianarian]

 

42 minutes ago, Ken-Hawaii said:

Is your tanto a yoroi-doshi?

Ken, Excellent assessment. The kasane does appear extra thick in the pictures. I would guess maybe 1cm thick. You are probably right.

[ROKUJURO]

Hi George,

 

looks like a nice 180 mm TANTO, but unfortunately, I can't see the HATARAKI that you describe. Perhaps better photos will show what you bought. 

 

Good luck!

[Katsujinken]

A photo or two of the nakago would be helpful. 

[Utopianarian]

Definitely yoroi-doshi and it’s signed. Here are the pics of mei and nakago

[Utopianarian]

Looks like Taisho era oh well 

[Utopianarian]

Looks like *** MoriKunitoshi  saku. Having trouble with some of it

[Brian]

Nothing wrong with Taisho era. Some very good smiths working, and it is well signed. I think we are too obsessed with age sometimes.

[Utopianarian]

You are absolutely right Brian. It definitely is a beautiful piece. Much better than the initial pictures I posted by the seller. I don’t think the seller even knew how to check or knew it was signed. The nakago was really stuck in the shirasaya and I used a modified piece of wood I made for safely removing with a tap not damaging the shirasaya or blade. I think it was the first time anybody set eyes on the mei in a long time. Beautiful chiseling on the mei by the smith and filing and finish on the nakago. The boshi is beautifully done with heavier frosted nie than the rest of the hamon like the old time smiths. It definitely looks like a traditional smith did it especially with the lineage of this smith. Very well done hand forged blade. I will post better pics when I have time in a few days. I saw other blades made by him as well online. Here is a pic of one.

[Utopianarian]

[Brian]

My katana is signed "...the 17th generation descendant of Enju Kunimura"

 

[Utopianarian]

Very nice Brian!!

[Utopianarian]

Here are a few pics. In the last pic note the reflective quality of the nie in the boshi. It’s hard to capture in the pic but it puts out a reflective prism of colors when you see it in person. Nice surprise of what I thought might have been an antique letter opener from a tourist shop.

[Brian]

It's good, from a good maker. I expect it isn't gimei. Nice item. He signed really well.