Newbie in need of opinions.

[oneshot onekill]

First, I am very new to the study of these amazing blades so please be kind and keep that in mind. Stay with me here… I bought a cheap repro Chinese copy a couple months ago thinking I had hit the jackpot. I only paid $79.00 for it on Ebay but the seller swore up and down it was Japanese and original. Blah, Blah, Blah… Anyway, that hooked me! Now I’m reading everything I can find online about Japanese blades. I found a blade for sale on a website I frequent called Snipershide (I’m a former MOS 8541 Marine). I bought it with the understanding from the seller I could return it for a full refund if not satisfied. I don’t have all of the terminology down but Here’s the “skinny”: It’s supposedly from the Muromachi Era. I’d call it an Uchigatana because it’s a little over 24 1/2” from Habaki to tip. It’s mounted in WWII mounts that appear to be real WWII Mounts. It’s unsigned. The Hamon is very narrow and appears to run right to the edge in some areas. It’s a relatively straight Hamon. It has at least one Fukure that has broken through and other small areas of Shintetsu. I was told by the seller that it’s a “tired” blade but not fatally flawed. I’m not so sure. I’m attaching pictures and would appreciate opinions. I can post more pics if necessary. Thanks in advance, John

[oneshot onekill]

On the last pic you can barely see the temper-line looping around just behind the tip but on the third pic you really can't see a temper-line at all. I stared at this thing for about 2 hours last night trying to decide if the Hamon is just polished away in certain areas or just so narrow I'm not experienced enough to see it! Very frustrating!

[drbvac]

Not bad for a first buy, it is tired and I would be "very" surprised if it dated to the 1300's. Mounts look authentic and I am sure you would get more info with a picture of the nakago (tang ).

[oneshot onekill]

Here's the only pic I have of the Tang. Thanks again!

[oneshot onekill]

  drbvac said:

Not bad for a first buy, it is tired and I would be "very" surprised if it dated to the 1300's. Mounts look authentic and I am sure you would get more info with a picture of the nakago (tang ).

Seller didn't date it from the 1300's. More like late 1400's. From what I've read this could be true... but you could show me a blade made yesterday and tell me it was from the 1400's and I'd probably believe you! LOL!!!

 

I forgot to mention there's a really cool diagonal nick on the Mune from another blade striking it! I love that!

[Jean]

  Quote

but you could show me a blade made yesterday and tell me it was from the 1400's and I'd probably believe you! LOL!!!

 

John,

 

You are not the only one, We had last WE an O kissaki katana to kantei, 14th century, some people kanteied it 19th century. It is not so easy at first glance (when looking at the hada it was easier).

 

For people who want to try kantei, first have a go at the period and if Koto, at the school ...

 

Sometimes you have unclassical swords to kantei like the Hizen Yukihiro wakizashi we had at the same session which could well have been Shinshinto ...

[EricM]

very nice first buy

tired blade but very nice mountings, I particularly like the kamon on the menuki

[Dick Tait]

  EricM said:

I particularly like the kamon on the menuki

 

My Type 98 Shingunto has similar "kamon on menuki" - wonder if it was the same supplier, or just allowed in regulations?

[saipan59]

The kamon on John's is tachibana (a variation on my wife's family kamon).

On a gunto, as I recall these sorts of extra decorations were an "extra-cost upgrade", paid for by the soldier who carried it. They often appear on the kashira instead of the menuki.

 

Pete