Katana pics after restoration

[April]

Hello again, 

I had posted about being new here and to Japanese Swords asking for help with a Katana my late father passed to me 

I have updated pics taken today of the restored Sword some of you asked for 

originally I sent them Before restoration pics and paperwork. Included is the wood mock up sword in purple cover, original scabbard and storage box. 

looking for where to get an updated appraisal for insurance purposes at the very least. 

 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Hi April, very nice result. Where did you get the restoration done?

 

While it is tempting to have the sword in the mounts, it is really advised to keep the blade in the shirasaya.

[Brian]

April,
The problem I see here, and maybe the reason why there are fewer responses, is maybe the stated estimates on the paperwork.
Those may not be outlandish pre-internet days where big auction houses ruled the sales. But by today's standards where anyone can shop anywhere in the world instantly, and there are thousands of swords to choose from, those just aren't realistic.
A value of around 12,000...I assume $'s? Pre restoration? And an estimate of $30K post restore?
It's a nice looking sword. A nice complete package. But look at some of the online dealers for decent Shinshinto. I think you could replace this for less than half that value. I'd stick my neck out and give a wild estimate of about $8000.
But better get an idea from @Ray Singer or @Mark or @Grey Doffin
 

[Soshin]

8 hours ago, Brian said:

April,
The problem I see here, and maybe the reason why there are fewer responses, is maybe the stated estimates on the paperwork.
Those may not be outlandish pre-internet days where big auction houses ruled the sales. But by today's standards where anyone can shop anywhere in the world instantly, and there are thousands of swords to choose from, those just aren't realistic.
A value of around 12,000...I assume $'s? Pre restoration? And an estimate of $30K post restore?
It's a nice looking sword. A nice complete package. But look at some of the online dealers for decent Shinshinto. I think you could replace this for less than half that value. I'd stick my neck out and give a wild estimate of about $8000.
But better get an idea from @Ray Singer or @Mark or @Grey Doffin
 

 

Funny thing is I completely ignored the "estimated value" statement on the paperwork before liking it.   I would agree with Brian's statement above. Since April you are in the USA contacting @Ray Singer, @Mark, or @Grey Doffin would be a clever idea to obtain a few current value estimates of the Japanese sword in the USA Japanese sword market.  

[April]

8 hours ago, Brian said:

April,
The problem I see here, and maybe the reason why there are fewer responses, is maybe the stated estimates on the paperwork.
Those may not be outlandish pre-internet days where big auction houses ruled the sales. But by today's standards where anyone can shop anywhere in the world instantly, and there are thousands of swords to choose from, those just aren't realistic.
A value of around 12,000...I assume $'s? Pre restoration? And an estimate of $30K post restore?
It's a nice looking sword. A nice complete package. But look at some of the online dealers for decent Shinshinto. I think you could replace this for less than half that value. I'd stick my neck out and give a wild estimate of about $8000.
But better get an idea from @Ray Singer or @Mark or @Grey Doffin
 

Good morning Brian

I do not know who put the values on this paperwork I submitted the paperwork for the translation and info NOT as an estimate or starting point on a price. I hesitated to even post the pictures of the paperwork because I knew that’s what everyone would focus on instead of addressing my request for help understanding this piece and finding an appropriate appraisal.

My concern is to have an actual appraisal done so I can insure it. That’s what part of my original request was for … if anyone could direct me to an appraiser. 
April
 

[April]

15 hours ago, PNSSHOGUN said:

Hi April, very nice result. Where did you get the restoration done?

 

While it is tempting to have the sowrd in the mounts, it is really advised to keep the blade in the shirasaya.

Good morning 

My father sent it to Japan for restoration 

I know bits and pieces about it but not much. 
April

 

15 hours ago, PNSSHOGUN said:

Hi April, very nice result. Where did you get the restoration done?

 

While it is tempting to have the sowrd in the mounts, it is really advised to keep the blade in the shirasaya.

 

[Mark]

April

 

do you have any paperwork or information from when the y were sent to Japan? Who handled that for you?  They may be a resource for information.  The best person  for a professional insurance appraisal might be Bob Benson.  As you are in CA  there is an annual sword show in SF and if you took it there you might get what you need and not worry and shipping it around

 

mark

[April]

1 hour ago, Mark said:

April

 

do you have any paperwork or information from when the y were sent to Japan? Who handled that for you?  They may be a resource for information.  The best person  for a professional insurance appraisal might be Bob Benson.  As you are in CA  there is an annual sword show in SF and if you took it there you might get what you need and not worry and shipping it around

 

mark

Hi Mark 

thank you so much for this information 

I haven’t come across any other information on who handled the restoration I just know my dad sent it to Japan 

I believe at one point he contacted the SF Japanese Sword Sword Society maybe they helped him I’m just not sure

April 

[ROKUJURO]

Are there some hidden pictures? I don't see photos of the blade that would allow a comment on the condition. On the other side: what happened to the TSUBA?

[April]

2 hours ago, ROKUJURO said:

Are there some hidden pictures? I don't see photos of the blade that would allow a comment on the condition. On the other side: what happened to the TSUBA?

2 hours ago, ROKUJURO said:

Are there some hidden pictures? I don't see photos of the blade that would allow a comment on the condition. On the other side: what happened to the TSUBA?

 

Hi Jean 

no hidden pics that I can tell and nothing has happened to the Tsuba ?

as for the blade I can try to get some better pics … these were with my phone there are bits of linen both black and white on it 

I have never wiped it or cleaned it and as far as I know it hasn’t been for probably 25+ yrs 

April 

[Stephen]

April few things, the question about the tsuba, its not a tsuba anyone would use in doing a restoration. It's a plane blank.

Like large washer.

Everything looks like it was done a Fred Lowman restoration.

a budget one where no real fittings were used just copies, for appraisal has already been mentioned make the August show in San Francisco.

 

You might not want to show me but it but the wood box is highly interesting, the craftsmanship is great. Did your dad make it?

 

Edited February 20, 2023 by Stephen
Voice recognition was really screwing up my post

[April]

Thank you Stephan 

I will take it to the show to find out how to care for it 

I don’t know why the Tsuba would be a blank holder when it’s signed by the blade smith? Another gentleman told me that the patina had been removed from it.
but the signature is still there 

all of the fittings are the same that was originally on it before my father apparently got taken on the restoration. 
what a shame people take such advantage of novices and destroy pieces of history 

So basically I guess this 147yr old piece is just garbage … I found someone that I’m going to ship it to so he can really get a good look at it because he said pictures can only tell so much as for the box there is pencil writing on the bottom but I can’t make it out 

I always believed my father made it he was an extremely talented craftsmen but I’m not sure.

it is a beautiful piece though beautiful birds eye maple 

he was a master with wood he left behind a a huge inventory of rare and extinct wood 

he was a collector of many antiques and did restoration on many involving wood 

he was a contractor by trade  

I can send you pictures of the box if you’d like 

April

 

 

[Stephen]

Ms April

Your blade is not garbage I'm sorry I led it that way it's not.

The tsuba may be old...the lack of patina thru me off.

I'm not criticizing but from your photos it's really hard to tell exactly what's going on we can't really see the fittings.

Until August comes read a lot of the poster some of it will start to make sense I've been at it over 40 years and I forgot more than what I've retained. That's a whole different story we won't go there LOL.

Would love to see more pictures of the box. Birdseye maple being one of  my favorite wood. 

 

[Brian]

Where did you get the idea that it's garbage? I don't think anyone even nearly suggested that. The old valuations are high..but it's still genuine and in good condition and you have quite a few thousand $'s of sword there.
Definitely nothing anyone would call garbage!
Please be careful who you ship it to, and make sure it's someone respected in the community. Lots of interesting characters out there. There are plenty of trusted guys worth asking.

At the end of the day I expect you have exactly what it says on the papers you have. A decent Shinshinto that was restored and is worthy of preservation. Nothing to sneeze that there.

[mecox]

April, following Brians comments, this looks to be a very nice sword, well mounted and in very good condition by known swordsmith of the Shinshinto period, apparently made when he was 30 years old. The grooves are also a feature.  Following is a summary of the smith and his picture, which may help you relate more to the sword (from Marcus Sesko data) :

MUNEAKI (宗明), Bunkyū (文久, 1861-1864), Ōshū – “Kubota Muneaki” (久保田宗明), “Minamoto Muneaki” (源宗明), “Ichinoseki-shi Minamoto Muneaki” (一関士源宗明), “Rikuchū Ichinoseki-jū Kubota Muneaki saku” (陸中一関住久保田宗明作), “Rikuchū no Kuni Muneaki” (陸中国宗明), real name Kubota Fumikichi (久保田文吉, the first name can also read Bunkichi), he also bore the first name Mitsumasa (充昌), he was born in the second year of Tenpō (天保, 1831) as oldest son of Kubota Ryōzō (久保田 良蔵) who worked as a gunsmith for the Ichinoseki fief (一関藩) which was ruled by the Tamura family (田村), later Muneaki went to Kyōto and studied there under Koyama Munetsugu (固山宗次), in Ansei four (安政, 1857) he returned to Ichinoseki where he worked both as swordsmith and gunsmith for the fief, he died on the twelfth day of the eighth month Meiji 21 (明治, 1888) at the age of 58, we know blades from the Ansei (安政, 1854-1860) to the Meiji era, dense ko-itame mixed with some masame, the hamon is a gunome-chōji-midare in nioi-deki but can also be tempered in ko-nie-deki, the tip of the tang is a shallow iriyamagata-jiri, the yasurime are sujikai with keshō, he signed also in grass script, chūjō-saku. 

 

There is also another sword by him posted in 2016:   https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/profile/3758-bad_attitude/

[Stephen]

 

Mr Cox link was for BA profile 

 

[Stephen]

Ms April

I'm so sorry you thought I was saying your sword was worthless it's really a good sword.

I looked at it on a laptop I think everything is fine except for what happened to the tsuba.

I was trying to find the before pictures that your dad had and he sent to Japan is ther picture of the tsuba there?

IMHO id wait to show in SF than ship.

Shipping swords is a minefield especially if you're not versed in doing it. Quite a few are coming up missing. If you do decide to go ahead and ship whatever you do don't do it in that box please id hate to see it damaged.

Once more I am sorry I misled you it was not my intent.

 

[DoTanuki yokai]

Everything is ok,even with the Tsuba, I add the picture from the old thread showing that no real patina was lost. 

[Stephen]

Dont comput looks plenty lost before and after.  We need to see the other side. The blank side may be washed out fro light.

I don't understand your reasoning sir

[DoTanuki yokai]

So my impression is that the Tsuba is a Meji piece that was never really patinated and they only cleaned of the surface rust but I really don’t know much about Tosogu. I can be completely wrong. 

[Stephen]

Im sorry she's left us. I feel a part at fault I hope she comes back.