Rust on Mei

[Jesse Luddington]

Hello, I recently purchased my first nihonto. I can see that the mei has a little bit of red rust. In no way do I want to oil or clean the nakago, however I am anxious about it being an issue. Is this amount of rust on the pictures included something of concern? I don't want to lightly oil it, however I want it to be stabilized. I do not know how long that takes and if it's OK to just leave it for now. Thank you for any help! 

[sabiji]

I don't see anything worrisome regarding rust.

 

Even if this has nothing to do with the topic: I find the Ura-Mei interesting.

The (Kanei) dating seems to "collide" with the "Echizen ju". Tagane and ductus of the dating are also different. It seems that the dating was added.

[Utopianarian]

It has been said that natural oil from the fingers handling the nakago helps to start a good foundation for healthy patina to build on which will develop over many years. I also have read oil from the the pores from around your nose have a quality that may help to stabilize the rust if rubbed on the nakago frequently over time help with the Ph level of the red rust and change the composition of the harmful red surface rust to accommodate a more stable environment for harmless patina to establish itself. Sounds crazy but others may elaborate more on this.

[Franco D]

Like Thomas, I'm not seeing anything of serious concern.

 

If need be, to quell any concern, you could take a narrow Q-tip dipped in sword oil and run it in/through the mei.

On a separate note, the nakago can be oiled. Even the NBTHK nihonto care guide suggests it; http://www.jssus.org/articles/7.html

1. It is a good idea to apply oil to the surface of the tang with one's fingers. However, an excessive amount of oil must also be avoided here.

, use fingers to apply a light coating, then blotting off/dry any excess to leave only a thin film/coating of oil.

I would be very careful and avoid putting sword oil on or over any red lacquer attributions applied on a nakago.

 

Regards,

[Jesse Luddington]

On 4/28/2023 at 1:01 AM, sabiji said:

I don't see anything worrisome regarding rust.

 

Even if this has nothing to do with the topic: I find the Ura-Mei interesting.

The (Kanei) dating seems to "collide" with the "Echizen ju". Tagane and ductus of the dating are also different. It seems that the dating was added.

Awesome, and thank you! I also thought that it was interesting as well. Sorry for the late reply, I've been figuring this message board out. Again, thanks for your thoughts! It helps me not worry about a treasure of mine

[Jesse Luddington]

On 4/28/2023 at 1:03 AM, Utopianarian said:

It has been said that natural oil from the fingers handling the nakago helps to start a good foundation for healthy patina to build on which will develop over many years. I also have read oil from the the pores from around your nose have a quality that may help to stabilize the rust if rubbed on the nakago frequently over time help with the Ph level of the red rust and change the composition of the harmful red surface rust to accommodate a more stable environment for harmless patina to establish itself. Sounds crazy but others may elaborate more on this.

I also have read this, and I think it makes sense. After so many years of being handled it has had so many layers of rust stabilize from just the natural oils on hands. So I'll just handle it as normal and I think it should be fine. I appreciate your help!

[Jesse Luddington]

On 4/28/2023 at 7:49 AM, Franco D said:

Like Thomas, I'm not seeing anything of serious concern.

 

If need be, to quell any concern, you could take a narrow Q-tip dipped in sword oil and run it in/through the mei.

On a separate note, the nakago can be oiled. Even the NBTHK nihonto care guide suggests it; http://www.jssus.org/articles/7.html

1. It is a good idea to apply oil to the surface of the tang with one's fingers. However, an excessive amount of oil must also be avoided here.

, use fingers to apply a light coating, then blotting off/dry any excess to leave only a thin film/coating of oil.

I would be very careful and avoid putting sword oil on or over any red lacquer attributions applied on a nakago.

 

Regards,

I have come across this, and I think it makes sense. They certainly know about keeping nihonto safe, and I'm sure that over the course of the life of the sword the nakago has probably been oiled. Thank you for your help, I appreciate so much wisdom in a message board on such an interesting topic