Masamune sword

[James Slawinski]

As i wrote last year,  I believe i had Honjo Masamune sword.   I bought two swords in Troy michigan about 20 years ago from the son of a American officer who was in Japan.  Bob Grant talked me out of them, lied to me said they were worth about 2,000 only then had his freind offer me 2400 or 2600.  After I SOLD THEM TO HIS FREIND WHICH BOB CAM AND GOT THEM he told me it was Masamune sword  the other sword bob got for doing the deal. the sword was long a had a feather weight to it.  it only had a few letters on the double holed tang  some where i have the pencil shading on a piece of paper.  To the person who might believe me i will give you Marks number who know the man personal who has it now.  I will never forgive bob grant for cheating me but i will do all i can to return these swords to Japan.  Thank you James Slawinski po box 551 HARRISVILLE mi 48740

[Ray Singer]

If your sword was signed ("had a few letters on the double hold tang"), then it was not the Honjo. You can rest easy.
 

 

https://www.google.com/search?q="honjo+masamune"+site%3Anihontomessageboard.com&rlz=1C1GCEU_enUS954US954&oq="honjo+masamune"+site%3Anihontomessageboard.com&aqs=chrome..69i57.11237j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

 

 

[Scogg]

I think it's likely that he was messing with you, or maybe being sarcastic.

I imagine it would be international news if the Hanjo Masamune were found

Do you have any photos?

[Gakusee]

Well, people realise there were more than one Masamune, right? There is a Ko-Bizen one, a Mihara one etc 

[Scogg]

44 minutes ago, Gakusee said:

Well, people realise there were more than one Masamune, right? There is a Ko-Bizen one, a Mihara one etc 

I know several Masamune swords exist, but I thought the “hanjo masamune” was a specific sword. Am I incorrect in that? 

 

Is it true that no existing signed Masamune works exist? All mumei? 

Diving into the pdf Ray shared now

 

 

[Ray Singer]

The Honjo Masamune is the name of a specific lost sword.

There were a number of other swordsmiths who legitimately used the mei Masamune.

There are several authentically signed Soshu Masamune tanto and one authentically signed Soshu Masamune tachi.

There are many, many gimei of Soshu Masamune in the world. I don't know who Bob Grant was, but if he genuinely thought he was buying an authentic signed Soshu Masamune, it is possible that he overpaid.
 

[Scogg]

Thank you for clarifying. That makes a lot more sense

 

Now I understand Michaels comment a lot more too.
 

I had blinders on, and was thinking of “The” Masamune, and didn’t consider others using the same mei

 

[lonely panet]

I FIND IT VERY FUNNY,  90% SWORD STUDENTS  WOULDNT KNOW A MASAMUNE IF THEY TRIPPED OVER ONE,  LET ALOND EDUCATED PEAPLES.  

 

BUT DONT LET THAT STOP A GOOD STORY

[Mark]

I know Bob.  You mention a Mark, not sure if you mean me or someone else.  Not sure, do i know you?  anyway Bob has a general knowledge of Militaria but knows much more about German items than Japanese. He used to travel with a Japanese sword buyer and they would partner and the other guy got the Japanese stuff.  As i said i have know Bob for 25 years, he can't read a mei and may have handled quite a few swords (that he usually sells on eBay) but i  don't think he is a nihonto expert.....I never heard anything about this sword.

[jesse]

Where the Honjo Masamune sword is, I have no clue (I know it would look fantastic in my curio) but I do enjoy reading about the highs and lows of looking for it.  If/when it ever surfaces it will be front page world news.

 

Warm Regards,