Suriage shinshinto swords

[Paz]

Hi all just a few questions. I've been reading through some old threads and just want to clarify something. 

 

I haven't studied much in regards to the shinshinto era swords. 

Nor have i owend one. But am looking. 

 

 

During the shinshinto period there were blades (many) which resembled nanbokucho and early period works. Such as being rather large in size and imitating the Koto era. 

 

Is this one of the reasons why some shinshinto blades have suriage ? 

Historically the end of the edo period saw conflict prior to the meiji restoration and you have the bakumatsu conflict. Could this be another reason why you have suriage. 

 

Also is it true that shinshinto swords don't get given papers if they have been shortend. ? Or is this subjective ie school and quality.  Papers don't bother me too much if the sword looks great. 

 

Thanks 

Kind regards 

Paz

[Geraint]

Dear Paz.

 

As regards shinsa standards this might help.  http://nihontocraft.com/2015_NBTHK_Nionto_Tosogu_Shinsa_Standards.html  Also if you have not already found it or bought the book this might be useful, https://studyingjapaneseswords.com/  The author is a member here.

 

Of course in the 80 odd years of the Shinshinto period there would have been opportunity for someone to have suriage done on a sword from the same period but there are many reasons why you might find them.  Some years ago there was an exhibition in London with a catalogue called, "The Beauty of Shinsakuto", while not specifically your period of interest there were several swords which were utsushi mono, copies of earlier msterpieces.  Some of these were copied complete with suriage nakago and multiple mekugi ana.  These were not meant to deceive of course, but in the Shinshinto period the same is possible.  Add to that the possibility of passing off a Shinshinto sword as something older and more valuable by removing the nakago with the mei... I'm sure there are many other reasons as well.

 

All the best.

[Paz]

Thanks Geraint. That last part is indeed interesting