Mumei Nihonto — Seeking the knowledge of the experts

[AffectionateShop]

I've learned just enough to know how vast this (nihonto) subject is and how little I know. I'm seeking any and all information about this sword. Here's what I've found so far–
 

Sword is mumei, it has no stamps (though it was brought to the US in the aftermath of ww2), it has slight file markings on the nakago (yasuri-me?), though I cannot determine anything from it.
 

I've looked at the Hada and Hamon, at first I thought it was a machine made blade, but others I've asked say it may be a true Nihonto or at least Gendaito? Could be Showato. Rough age is unknown.
 

The Tsuba, Menuki and other fittings appear to be older, though I have no info on these; I did learn the holes in the tsuba are called "Inome"-boars eye. Any guesses on what the Menuki is? The only thing that looks to be from WW2 era is the leather saya, though I could be wrong.

 

I'm posting this just out of curiosity, I have no intent to sell,  as this sword was taken by a family member in ww2. I'll post more photos in the comments (I reached file size limit) or specific areas if needed, I'm just loving learning more about this subject so any thoughts you have on this sword are greatly appreciated! Thanks all for you knowledge, -Olin

[AffectionateShop]

more photos

[AffectionateShop]

more photos 2

[AffectionateShop]

more photos 3

[ChrisW]

Without a doubt, this is an older blade. The shape, the number of mekugi-ana, and the way the nakago presents all leads to the assumption this is an older blade. The only thing even remotely wartime about this blade is the leather combat cover. Color of the patination and overall shape leads me to guess MAYBE Kanbun shinto? But I'll leave that guess to better educated folk.

This was probably a family blade carried for the war, might be gunzoku (civilian contractor) or it might be something else of that nature; but the mounts are not very close to regulation at all unless it was done post-war, but unlikely. Originally, the mounts might have originally been in the handachi style (that guess is based on the style of kashira).

 

It appears the blade was originally longer than 25" or so based on how the nakago appears to be suriage.

[AffectionateShop]

46 minutes ago, ChrisW said:

Without a doubt, this is an older blade. The shape, the number of mekugi-ana, and the way the nakago presents all leads to the assumption this is an older blade. The only thing even remotely wartime about this blade is the leather combat cover. Color of the patination and overall shape leads me to guess MAYBE Kanbun shinto? But I'll leave that guess to better educated folk.

This was probably a family blade carried for the war, might be gunzoku (civilian contractor) or it might be something else of that nature; but the mounts are not very close to regulation at all unless it was done post-war, but unlikely. Originally, the mounts might have originally been in the handachi style (that guess is based on the style of kashira).

 

It appears the blade was originally longer than 25" or so based on how the nakago appears to be suriage.

Thanks Chris,
It is really difficult to see any kind of Boshi in the Kissaki, maybe this is because the polish is roughest in this area, but your theory of the sword being shortened would mean there is no Boshi right? 

[rematron]

Hi Olin, swords are never shortened at the tip. The nakago is cut and the blade above the cut is reformed into a new nakago. If a blade were cut at the tip, it would no longer be hardened up there.  That is considered to be a fatal flaw. I think you mean “hamon” in the boshi. The boshi of the katana is where the blade suddenly curves sharply to the point - the last inch or two (sometimes longer) of the sword. The kissaki is the actual point.

 

regards, 

[ChrisW]

12 minutes ago, rematron said:

Hi Olin, swords are never shortened at the tip. The nakago is cut and the blade above the cut is reformed into a new nakago. If a blade were cut at the tip, it would no longer be hardened up there.  That is considered to be a fatal flaw. I think you mean “hamon” in the boshi. The boshi of the katana is where the blade suddenly curves sharply to the point. The last inch or two (sometimes longer) of the sword. The kissaki is the actual point.

 

regards, 

This is not necessarily true. There is the "Satsuma-age" but it is avoided at all cost and usually only done to a sword with a completely broken-off kissaki. Generally speaking, probably 99.9% of all suriage work is done from the nakago up. Generally a blade is considered castrated in terms of collectibility if it has had satsuma-age done to it; but there are rare exceptions if it is done really well and the blade is important. A lot of satsuma-age was also done to make an ad-hoc functioning blade; ergo the origin of the term "Satsuma" which refers to the Satsuma rebellion where even broken swords were pressed into service via this technique.

 

This sword is definitely not Satsuma-age, it is suriage; possibly machi-okuri (wherein the whole nakago is kept, but the machi are moved up on the blade).
 

 

[rematron]

Yes, Chris. My mistake for saying “never”…  I should have known I’d get called out on that. Never say never. It definitely was not the preferred method of shortening a sword but could be done in a crunch. 

[ChrisW]

Yup!

I haven't seen one in person yet, but maybe this year at the Chicago show.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Kijimono Nakago is interesting: http://meiboku.info/guide/form/nakago/index.htm

 

[Bazza]

Agree, but perhaps more tanago, John???  Kijomomo has more of a 'kick' inward.

 

BaZZa.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Hi Bazz, that's true - it could go either way. It may be a helpful point narrowing down smiths using either of these during the Shinto period.

[PNSSHOGUN]

Bazz has it, compare to a Sengo Muramasa: