Mumei Wakizashi Authentication and Information

[marionette]

Hello everyone. 

 

This morning I recently received a mumei wakizashi that I got fairly cheaply online. (Photos attached below)

 

The seller was very knowledgeable  and told me that this piece was from Edo Period. I would really like to know any other information that anyone can tell me about the piece since I am very new to the hobby. I'd like to be a good custodian for the sword so I'm also very open to any information on how to possibly receive a shirasaya for the piece? If I've said anything wrong or if any additional photos are required please feel free to correct me.  

Thank you very much!

 

(I  promise I will not polish or make any alterations to the piece  myself )

 

 

 

[Shugyosha]

Hi CG,

Welcome to NMB and to Japanese swords.

 

Unfortunately it's hard to tell very much from the pictures - I'd agree that the sword is Edo period, it might be early Edo period around the Keicho period (1596 - 1615) as, what looks like, a larger tip would point in that direction (these blades were modelled on the shape seen in the Nambokucho period) though this is also a trait seen in shinshinto blades (1764 and later) when there was a second revivalist movement that favoured the same shape.

 

The patina on the tang is quite a dark colour and that might indicate early Edo period but wouldn't be conclusive as environmental factors can prematurely age the tang.

 

If you can try to get some detail shots of any activity in the tip, near the hardened edge and any activity of the folded steel then you might get a better pointer towards its age and where it was manufactured but I think it might be hard to be more exact given the spider rust and that it looks as though someone as taken an abrasive to it.

 

Anyway, congratulations on owning your first Japanese sword and I hope that it's the first of many.

[marionette]

Wow John, 

 

Thank you very much that is a lot of very helpful information! I was worried that someone had taken an abrasive to it due to some scuff marks throughout the blade so it's also very helpful to hear that you see it too. If I get some more time after work I'll see if I can get some more detailed photos of the tip. Thank you so much!

Best,

CG

[Rivkin]

Generally any investment in unsigned Edo period's piece restoration is not financially advisable and more so when its unpolished waki.

[marionette]

Good to know Rivkin, would commissioning a Shirasaya also not be advisable?

[marionette]

1 hour ago, Rivkin said:

Generally any investment in unsigned Edo period's piece restoration is not financially advisable and more so when its unpolished waki.

The piece seems to be in pretty rough shape, but I'm happy appreciating it as is.

[Rivkin]

5 minutes ago, marionette said:

The piece seems to be in pretty rough shape, but I'm happy appreciating it as is.

 

Ordering habaki, shirasaya, koshirae, polish is fun but best done on a blade which is appreciable and of good promise. Can still be 1000$ blade, but it needs to be without major issues.

[marionette]

41 minutes ago, Rivkin said:

 

Ordering habaki, shirasaya, koshirae, polish is fun but best done on a blade which is appreciable and of good promise. Can still be 1000$ blade, but it needs to be without major issues.

Gotcha. That makes sense to me. Thank you for helping me out!

[Stephen]

hate to play the meanie CG DOES not comply with board rules. first name and initial  is fine

[marionette]

6 minutes ago, Stephen said:

hate to play the meanie CG DOES not comply with board rules. first name and initial  is fine

No problem, went ahead and fixed it. 

[Stephen]

Thank you

[DoTanuki yokai]

If you don’t want to have the blade without any protection I would say you watch this video that describes how to make a Saya out of newspaper. 

 

I would advise to store the blade without oil in the newspaper saya to prevent any reactions with the ink. 
It should be stored in a dry environment. 
 

I think early edo is a good call from looking at your blade.

But unlike John I would say the bigger tips of the Nanbokucho revival are a Katana trait while the big Kissaki Wakizashi are seen a little later. 

From Markus Kantei series: 

“Certain renowned master smiths from the advanced early Edo period also made some flamboyant wakizashi. These were mostly made on special orders and are wide and impressive, that means they don´t follow the then Kanbun-shintô-sugata, and usually show elaborate horimono. Representative for this trend was for example Kotetsu.” 
https://markussesko.com/2015/04/20/kantei-1-sugata-8/

An example of the shape from Hizen Tadayoshi.

 

Some smiths are faster with following a trend and others take longer so all this time frames are a little fluent. 

[marionette]

32 minutes ago, DoTanuki yokai said:

If you don’t want to have the blade without any protection I would say you watch this video that describes how to make a Saya out of newspaper. 

 

I would advise to store the blade without oil in the newspaper saya to prevent any reactions with the ink. 
It should be stored in a dry environment. 
 

I think early edo is a good call from looking at your blade.

But unlike John I would say the bigger tips of the Nanbokucho revival are a Katana trait while the big Kissaki Wakizashi are seen a little later. 

From Markus Kantei series: 

“Certain renowned master smiths from the advanced early Edo period also made some flamboyant wakizashi. These were mostly made on special orders and are wide and impressive, that means they don´t follow the then Kanbun-shintô-sugata, and usually show elaborate horimono. Representative for this trend was for example Kotetsu.” 
https://markussesko.com/2015/04/20/kantei-1-sugata-8/

An example of the shape from Hizen Tadayoshi.

 

Some smiths are faster with following a trend and others take longer so all this time frames are a little fluent. 

 

Hello Christian,

 

This is information and video is pure gold!! This newspaper temporary scabbard is exactly what I need. I'm going to try and carefully follow the tutorial after buying some newspaper tomorrow morning. I'll keep the piece away from any liquid sources and refrain from using any oil as well. I'm also quite happy to hear that many of you believe the piece is from the Edo period as it helps point me to other readings I can take a look at. Thank you very much!

[Stephen]

It doesn't have to be newspaper.

Butchers paper will wor, the brown packing paper ect.

Save on ink worries.

If you live in a humid environment I like light coat of oil and wrapped with Saran wrap then your paper of choice just some more options.

 

[Stephen]

Down the line considerations.

Have a small window polished on one side so you can see the activity and what's going on with the blade.

Because it's not signed doesn't make it a mediocre blade.

You sound like a caretaker who would appreciate it being restored so down the line after you have saved some money and can get a polish and habaki and shirasaya you would have restored a piece of samurai history.  Will that money ever be recouped? No.

 

Sorry for voice recognition mistakes the eyes are going going not quite gone.

[Stephen]

PS

I have some leftover Shoji screen rice paper probably just enough to wrap blade.

Yours if you like, wrap it in style! LOL

[marionette]

9 minutes ago, Stephen said:

PS

I have some leftover Shoji screen rice paper probably just enough to wrap blade.

Yours if you like, wrap it in style! LOL

 

Thank you for the offer haha! I think I will look tomorrow for some butcher paper as per your recommendation. As for future restoration, as you said one day I think I would like to when I have more funds. For now I will try to take care of it until that day or when it's someone else's turn to take care of it. Thank you Stephen!

[ROKUJURO]

First of April video?

[Stephen]

14 minutes ago, ROKUJURO said:

First of April video?

Huh?

[ROKUJURO]

Stephen,

"How to make a paper scabbard" did not look too serious to me. 

[Stephen]

2 hours ago, ROKUJURO said:

Stephen,

"How to make a paper scabbard" did not look too serious to me. 

Jean 

So you watched the vid and the extra ridge is not elaborate?

I would love to see yours then.

 

[cju777]

2 hours ago, ROKUJURO said:

Stephen,

"How to make a paper scabbard" did not look too serious to me. 

All good—Paul Martin is serious. He’s very involved with the sword community in Japan and trying to do a lot with modern smiths at the moment to grow their public attention. Check out out his YouTube link, I think Facebook page and other media as well. I believe he’s a trained nihonto curator, previously for the British Museum or some other, I forget (one where they can specialize). 
 

Yes, common to make a paper saya if one doesn’t exist, expedient way to provide a protective cover or when shipping. 

[ROKUJURO]

Chris,

thank you. I know Paul Martin and his merits.

I have shipped blades, so I know how important the protection can be. I never trusted paper SAYA, and neither shipping companies, so I always used small wooden boards for reinforcement. 

[Stephen]

The only time I've used paper saya was from table to shinsa team and Like Jean if mailing blade sans fittings i tape to board with blade wrapped in Saran wrap and paper saya, so then also.