Barn Find

[Brian]

Noah emailed me and I told him to register and post it here.
Please also post the additional pics you sent? Immediately this appears to be promising. The horimono would already get offers flooding your inbox.
You'll need to get this to people who can see it in hand. Perhaps give a rough location in Cali, so we can see who we have nearby? @Toryu2020 Tom, you're our Cali guy?
Push out that wooden pin that you see in the middle of the white ring. It should be tapered. Push from the small end. Then hold the handle vertically and hit your wrist with the other hand a few times. See if the blade moves and you can carefully withdraw the blade and take pics of the tang both sides. You need to get some oil on that blade and wipe with a soft cloth. Don't use anything remotely abrasive. Just stop any further rust.
Holding thumbs this is something nice.

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Noah,

Not possible to know much from just the one picture but what I can see looks promising; this may be special. Here is a link to a care and handling brochure that you should read at least once: https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/  Brian has just posted before me. The brochure will help with handle removal. Resist all urges to fix anything; you don't know how and may do damage. This needs to be seen by someone knowledgeable and honest (hard to know which is in shorter supply). Don't oil the tang, just the blade.

Hoping for the best, Grey

[Gakusee]

Interesting. Well, clearly more pictures will help - including of the sword tang and also close-ups of the text on the wooden scabbard (shirasaya). 

[Dan tsuba]

Hello Noah!

 

Welcome to this great forum!

 

Nice find!  My suggestion is to follow all the great information already given and post pictures of the blade.

 

If I found a blade like that in my grandfather’s barn I would keep it in the family (unless I really needed the money from selling it).  It probably has a great story to it that perhaps you could learn?  Was this a bring back from World War II by your grandfather? 

 

If it turns out to be a “historic piece” of Japanese craftsmanship (and if I owned the blade) I would consider “lending it” to a museum for display. 

 

Just my thoughts!

 

With respect,

Dan

[PNSSHOGUN]

Another suggestion, do not respond to purchase offers until it has been properly evaluated.

[Stephen]

10 minutes ago, Dan tsuba said:

I would consider “lending it” to a museum for display

One of the worst possible things you can do museums are notorious for misuse.

[paul tsubadotinfo]

I guess people in the US will be more than able to help you identifying it and distinguishing if it is worth restoring (polishing). 
 

My advice would be, only have it polished in Japan by certified polishers. If you need help finding one let me know. I live in Japan and facilitate polishing and certificates from the Japanese association for the preservation of Japanese art swords (NBTHK). 

Cheers and don't cut yourself

Paul

 

[Stephen]

Lets not get ahead of ourselves.

One step at a time.

Follow Grays handling link and learn how to remove the handle.

Then we'll go from there.

 

[Stephen]

Someone may be able to clear this up a bit more. My old eyes are not worthy 

[DoTanuki yokai]

It looks like there is Funbari so I expect to see the signature of a shinshinto smith under the handle. 

Remove the wooden handle and show us the tang 

[Noah]

I found out how to take the handle off and I will upload more pictures when I have the time

[Noah]

2 hours ago, Stephen said:

Someone may be able to clear this up a bit more. My old eyes are not worthy 

We sent a picture of this writing to a friend to translate it. Turns out it is a persons name and address 

[Rivkin]

Polish?

Museum?

In person evaluation?

 

....

What am I missing?

There is not much yet to see. This can be ubu Nambokucho blade, but such conclusion is like 30 steps away at this point. Carving is nice.

Boshi, nakago, detailed shot. Usually enough to understand what one is dealing with.

[Stephen]

21 minutes ago, Rivkin said:

What am I missing?

Hes working on nakago photos.

[Kiipu]

2 hours ago, Noah said:

We sent a picture of this writing to a friend to translate it. Turns out it is a persons name and address 

 

I agree but need a better picture.  It starts with a name of a ward 区 so it is coming from a large city.

四Ｘ区南Ｘ通二-二〇?

[SteveM]

My guess is Ōsaka →  西城区南海通

[Stephen]

7 hours ago, PNSSHOGUN said:

Another suggestion, do not respond to purchase offers until it has been properly evaluated.

Especially this 

[Mark S.]

9 hours ago, PNSSHOGUN said:

Another suggestion, do not respond to purchase offers until it has been properly evaluated.

Now you’re not suggesting that someone would try to ‘poach’ this blade behind the scenes are you? 

[Noah]

Found this in my grandpas barn and just wanted some info on it. Anything helps

[Noah]

Here is all the requested pictures. Does any of it look familiar???

[Guest Simon R]

Dear Noah,

I am by no means an expert and cannot decipher signatures at first glance. However, I have my suspicions and, to reiterate what several others on this forum have said, PLEASE DO NOT entertain any private messages with offers at this stage.

 

Hearty congratulations on your amazing find! 👍👍👍

Simon

 

PS having looked closely I think it is a Gassan Sadakatsu - but wait to hear what the experts say. 🤞🤞🤞

[Ray Singer]

A Gassan Sadakatsu is an exceptionally nice barn find. Congratulations. 

[Noah]

From what I have heard, I will definitely not sell it and keep it in the family but could anyone give me an estimate on what it’s worth

[Guest Simon R]

Ray got there first! 
(And he IS one of the experts!)

[Ray Singer]

9 minutes ago, Noah said:

From what I have heard, I will definitely not sell it and keep it in the family but could anyone give me an estimate on what it’s worth

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=Gassan+Sadakatsu&oq=Gassan+Sadakatsu+&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i22i30l2.12729j0j4&client=ms-android-google&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#ip=1

[Nobody]

木村本家　家寶　御守刀 – The main branch of Kimura family, Family heirloom, Amulet sword

銘雲龍　以餘鐵作之 – Name (of the sword): Unryu, Made this from surplus iron (for the Imperial swords).

 

昭和十一年紀元節 – Showa 11^th year (1936), National Foundation Day (February 11)

浪華住三代　月山貞勝 – Living in Naniwa, the 3^rd generation Gassan Sadakatsu

[Mark S.]

If I’m not mistaken, Unryu translates to “cloud dragon”. 

[Stephen]

1 hour ago, Noah said:

From what I have heard, I will definitely not sell it and keep it in the family but could anyone give me an estimate on what it’s worth

It's worth several pretty penny

More so if restored having the rest removed rust does not sleep.

Even though it's black and stable it's still does his dirty deed.

Is expensive endeavor it needs to be done by professional.

Then the value will almost double. I haven't read Ray's link but I'm sure it's probably ones that have sold are that are for sale that's where you find the value in the meantime light oiled you don't want it soaking the inside of the saya.

 

It's what nihonto dreams are made of my friend you're very lucky that your grandfather selected that one.

Please keep us updated on its future story.

[David Flynn]

Also, check out the Gassan School thread.

[Stephen]

Noah

Did your grandfather tell you anything about it. was it presented to him or just something he selected at randomly?