Possible fatal flaw

[Ilovekatana]

I just got a sword that I purchased from Japan in the mail today and decided to take a close look at it. I found what might might be a karasuguchi. Is it one? Apologies for the picture quality. Also the hamon seem have a darkened line in the same area does any know what that might be. Also one more question which pertains to the second photo, why does color on the steel of the mune change.

[Katsujinken]

I don’t see a crack in the boshi. 
 

What you’re seeing on the mune is burnishing (nagashi), which is part of the polishing process. 

[Ilovekatana]

If you open the image in a separate tab(it makes the picture a bit easier to see). Look just above where the light is and a little bit to the right, you should be able to see a very thin line(thats what I think the crack is).

[Geraint]

Dear Joseph.

 

If the crack is sharply defined, almost geometric then be concerned.  If it meanders then it might well be a forging lamination that you are seeing and no cause for concern.

 

All the best.

[Katsujinken]

That’s not a crack. Just a visible layer / lamination as Geraint said. 
 

 

[Ilovekatana]

Thats good. Also just to clarify Its the thin sort of wavy line that goes sort of parallel to the boshi/ hamon, not the short one that goes past the boshi below it that you are referring to? 

[Brian]

Unless you see it the same on the other side, I wouldn't worry about it. It seems to follow the hada, hence just part of the forging and not a crack.

[2devnul]

@Ilovekatana

 

Hi, if you refer to this line (picture below) then I will say same thing as others. It is not Hadaware/flaw (BTW, can we call Hadaware cracks on Kissaki or just on Ji?) just Hada. 

[Ilovekatana]

@2devnul Yes thats what I was refering to.  Brian, it doesn't appear on the other side. Thank you everyone for the help. I was really worried there was a crack.

[Jon]

Can we see some pictures of the rest of the blade for interest and a bit of back story if you have any ?

[Ilovekatana]

I can try to take some pictures of it, but I can't guarantee that they will look good( I don't have easy access to a good camera/ setup and have almost no experience taking pictures of nihonto). As for the backstory, I was looking through yahoo auctions Japan via jauce and saw a sword I liked at my price range, bid on it, and won.

 

Edit: the sword itself is unpapered and signed Sagami kuni junin Masahiro Saku. I plan to submit it to shinsa when I have the chance, hopefully to learn more about it(Such as if its a gimei or not). 

[Ilovekatana]

Here are some pictures I took of the blade. Apologies for the the quality. The picture of the tang came from jauce.

[Ilovekatana]

Here are some more pictures.

[2devnul]

Naginata Naoshi or Shobu Zukuri Wakizashi? I like Hamon and Hada, but dislike Horimono. 

Out of curiosity, how much did you pay? 

[Franco D]

 

Quote

 

Posted September 19, 2010

by sanjuro

I thought it may be helpful if a central reference point were provided. The attached page is from the Sword and Same' book by Joly and Hogitaro. I can find a no more comprehensive standard reference. I hope this is of some help. :D

https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/uploads/monthly_09_2010/post-1773-1419678820626.jpg (double click to enlarge)

 

 

Ware can be found almost anywhere on a blade including within the hamon.

I'm not exactly certain what this line is or should be called. 

If this line ran down and extended to the ha, that would be an issue. 

Seeing that it does not, it may be just be a matter of living with it.

If you really want to know, ask and talk to a polisher about it.

 

Regards,

 

https://www.Japanese...rdindex.com/kizu.htm

[Ilovekatana]

2devnul, its a hira zukuri wakizashi(some of picture's angle shows the mune). As for how much I paid, excluding fees and shipping, was 76,000 yen.