Another Shikomi-Zue ?

[drac2k]

[drac2k]

I just picked up this sword cane and based on this site I believe it to be a Shikomi-Zue. From my reading here, the blades were usually(not always),  not the best; this one measures 23.5" long and has pitting and exposed forging flaws that make me think that it may be an older blade. I am very impressed by the nice fit of the blade in the scabbard. I tried to gently force the pin out, but it was not moving and I didn't want to take a chance of injuring the handle.

Based on the limited information and pictures that I have provided, I would appreciate any comments offered.

[lonely panet]

its pointy

[ROKUJURO]

David,

as it is very straight, I think it was indeed made as SHIKOMI-ZUE. Many were made in the late 19th century or later.
Flaws on a blade do not necessarily have to do with age; there are many perfect blades with great age! It is more the quality the smith wanted (or could) to realize.

[Nihonto student]

Dear David,

 

I agree with Jean, the blade was born shikomi-zue, difficult to say anything else without seeing the nakago and also given the condition of the blade, it seems to me to see masame hada and wide shinogi -ji and this leads me to think of Yamato and related schools but I could easily be wrong.

 

Regards,

Giordy

[drac2k]

Thanks to everyone for the information! Were the Shikomi-Zue created as a result of the Haito Edict and the Satsuma Rebellion and since this is a true form of that blade type, we can date the sword post 1876/1877?

The reason why I thought the sword might be older due to the forging flaws is because it appeared to me to have been the type exposed after repeated polishing, just a guess from a very green novice.

[Nihonto student]

All the straight blades like this one that I saw in shikomi zue were dated post 1850, also AOI art had something similar on auction about 1 month ago but I can't find it anymore, regarding forging flaws Jean has already pointed out that they may not be directly related, it may depend on how it was polished and maintained ecc... then in my opinion the construction of these blades tended to be less thick also due to adaptation to its case (Have you check kasane measure?). 

In any case, find a way to remove the handle, I wouldn't even be able to sleep for the thought 

 

Regards,

Giordy

[drac2k]

Great, just what I need, another nightmare to join the others, The kasane measures approx. 3/16".Did they ever go out of style in Japan and then no longer made? Thanks

[Nihonto student]

Rather than style I would call it necessity... after the Meiji edict of 1876 which prohibited carrying the sword I can imagine how difficult it would be for a samurai to give up the most precious thing for him, so some rather than feeling dishonored chose "illegality" and continued to carry a sword in this way, other people instead simply saw the possibility of self-defense taken away and this represented a solution against thieves and bandits.
For this reason I tend to generally frame this type of object within the Meiji period 1868 -1912 but I don't think we can talk about an end to production because it was a "Necessity" and as long as there is demand there is supply,  however, given the condition of the object, I don't think the dating affects the value in this case.
Only a togishi could tell you if it is possible to intervene with a polish but I believe that with such a thin kasane there is the risk of more important openings and in any case the cost of the polish would be higher than the value of the blade so my advise is to enjoy it like this.
Personally, whether quality or not, I think it's a nice object to have and one that stimulates conversation.

 

Regards,

Giordy

[drac2k]

Thanks for the information and the good advice.