Im sold, am I missing anything?

[VRGC]

After searching for some

time I have found a wakizashi that matches my interest.

 

the polish looks decent, it has an NBTHK paper seems to match the tang (but does the Japanese text match the blade?), a beautiful clear Hamon and the Koshirae..I find it overall beautiful…

 

but as always, I feel like I might be missing something behind the beauty. Therefore I come to you for (hopefully) unbiased advice  and expert view. Any question I should ask the seller before hand?  

 

what are your thoughts, I thank you in advance as always 

 

victor 

 

seller description (sorry it’s a long one):

Price €1373

 

Wazamono Wakizashi in fine Koshirae,

with NTHK certificate, unsigned,

attributed to:

伝 Den

越前三代播磨大掾重高 Echizen Sandai Harima Daijo Shigetaka

 

The 重高Shigetake smithline of 越前Echizen is a representational smithline of the 越前新刀Echizen Shinto school, which the lineage started when the first generation 重高Shigetaka, a student under the famous 美濃Mino smith 兼則Kanenori, migrated to the country of 越前Echizen together with his teacher during Kanbun period (1661~1673) of early Edo period. From then, the school continued their work with great reputation all the way until the 11th generation during the 嘉永Kaie period (1848~1855). The first 3 generations received the title of 播磨守Harima no Kami, 

The 越前重高Echizen Shigetaka smith group's works were known for great 切れ味Kireaji "sharpness", which their works received the ranking of 業物Wazamono during Edo period's 試し斬りTameshigiri test cutting system. 

 

As per the attribution of NTHK, this particular blade is made by the 3rd generation. Note that the 伝Den ("told to be") notation before the attribution means that they are not one hundred percent certain about this attribution, but only thinking this is a likely and probable opinion. 
 

as shown in the photos, this particular blade is overall in excellent condition with no significant issues observed. It's overall a rather typical Echizen Shinto blade with such Sugata and Gunome style Hamon. One thing to note that the current polish is not one hundred percent traditionally done, though this doesn't affect enjoying the blade. 

 

The Koshirae is very decently done as well, with a lacqueres leather Tsukamaki on the Tsuka, mounted with high quality leaf and spider motif Menuki as well as ratten weaven pattern plum flower motif Fuchikashira as well as Habaki with 丸に二つ引きMaru-ni-Futatsu-biki style 家紋Kamon family crest engraving. 

 

Overall a very enjoyable set of art for display and enjoyment

 

Nagasa:

1 Shaku 4 Sun 9 Bu

~45.15cm or 17.78inches

 

 

 

[atm]

That has a NTHK paper rather than a NBTHK paper. Those are two different organizations with different ways of appraising swords. There are several discussions on NMB that discuss the differences.

[PNSSHOGUN]

The polish is really quite dreadful.

[VRGC]

3 hours ago, PNSSHOGUN said:

The polish is really quite dreadful.

How do you see that, what makes it dreadful? 

[Shugyosha]

Hi Victor,

I'm with John. The hamon has that painted on look created by overdoing the hadori, either by a bad polisher or to make the hamon wider and more appealing to a buyer. Mostly you can't see the nioi guchi in those photographs so I think that the "real" hamon probably looks quite different to what we are seeing here. If you look, you can see where the hadori has worn away next to the habaki in the penultimate photo as you can see the hada through it. Furthermore, if you look carefully along the length of the blade, through the hadori you can see a straightish line, a darker white, running just above the ha and I suspect that this is the true hamon.

 

I think that the nioi guchi shows through a little in the boshi which looks like it is in reality very thin and yakitsume style with no kaeri and that the turn-back has been added in by the polisher and if you look a little down from the kissaki it looks like the nioi guchi shows through and the hamon is very narrow at that point if what I'm seeing is correct.

 

For me, this is a tired or bland-looking blade that has been pimped but others may see it differently.

 

 

 

 

[Shugyosha]

Hi again Victor, sorry if I'm raining on your parade but you can also take issue with the sales blurb:

 

Only the work of the first smith in this line was considered "wazamono" and this isn't something that is passed down to subsequent generations and it wasn't a system that was generalised in the Edo period, but was something formulated from the notes of the Yamada line of executioners who tested blades on criminals. The title of these smiths is Harima Daijo, not Harima no kami. Inaccuracies like this always put me on guard, but at least the seller has been truthful elsewhere so it might be ignorance rather than dishonesty.

 

Also, as a general point, it's worth steering clear of unsigned shinto wakizashi as they aren't especially desireable and you may well take a hit should you need to sell it or just wish to to upgrade your collection. Apologies once again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bazza]

On the polish, this discussion suggests as well as the swordsmith we also should ideally know who the latter day polisher is.  The polish is the lens through which we see the sword and there is as much or more in understanding the polish as there is in Kantei Kai guessing the who and when of the swordsmith.  It was Albert Yamanaka who said "If a sword does not have sugata then it has nothing".  I attach a cropped image from the above OP photos that to me shows that the shinogi ji is not flat, as it is required to be.  The original description given says "One thing to note that the current polish is not one hundred percent traditionally done, though this doesn't affect enjoying the blade."  True, it all comes down to price and the happiness of a potential buyer scoping the sword.  Its all part of our great lifetime journey with the sword...

 

BaZZa.

 

Edited June 9 by Bazza
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[lonely panet]

the great and  powerful bazz has spoken,  the wizzard of ozz joka aside.  Barry has a very very good point. 

 hes got 50 plus years of experience in collecting behind his words.

 

Hi Barry,  hows life going 

[VRGC]

1 hour ago, Shugyosha said:

Hi Victor,

I'm with John. The hamon has that painted on look created by overdoing the hadori, either by a bad polisher or to make the hamon wider and more appealing to a buyer. Mostly you can't see the nioi guchi in those photographs so I think that the "real" hamon probably looks quite different to what we are seeing here. If you look, you can see where the hadori has worn away next to the habaki in the penultimate photo as you can see the hada through it. Furthermore, if you look carefully along the length of the blade, through the hadori you can see a straightish line, a darker white, running just above the ha and I suspect that this is the true hamon.

 

I think that the nioi guchi shows through a little in the boshi which looks like it is in reality very thin and yakitsume style with no kaeri and that the turn-back has been added in by the polisher and if you look a little down from the kissaki it looks like the nioi guchi shows through and the hamon is very narrow at that point if what I'm seeing is correct.

 

For me, this is a tired or bland-looking blade that has been pimped but others may see it differently.

 

 

 

 

Hi John, I see what you mean, I am learning so much and I’m so glad I can get these lesson by checking in with you guys. 
 

Thanfully I am not quick to buy a nihonto and like to do my research… it’s a process that I’m going through to find a decent wakizashi and it katana with a decent look/ authentic and that checks a least all the basics… that seems harder than I though. I am pushing for the €1300 €1500 and hope to find something that is somewhat acceptable and not completely ruined as by this bad polishing. 
 

Problem with that kind of money is i don’t feel comfortable buying outside of an official dealer. But the official dealers start mostly from €2000. Right now that’s not something I feel comfortable spending on. 

So it’s a challenge but I tell myself that the right nihonto to will come to me at some point 

[VRGC]

1 hour ago, Bazza said:

On the polish, this discussion suggests as well as the swordsmith we also should ideally know who the latter day polisher is.  The polish is the lens through which we see the sword and there is as much or more in understanding the polish as there is in Kantei Kai guessing the who and when of the swordsmith.  It was Albert Yamanaka who said "If a sword does not have sugata then it has nothing".  I attach a cropped image from the above OP photos that to me shows that the shinogi ji is not flat, as it is required to be.  The original description given says "One thing to note that the current polish is not one hundred percent traditionally done, though this doesn't affect enjoying the blade."  True, it all comes down to price and the happiness of a potential buyer scoping the sword.  Its all part of our great lifetime journey with the sword...

 

BaZZa.

 

Thanks Barry, it seems I am greeted by a 50+ year legend in the field, the honour is mine haha 

 

1 hour ago, lonely panet said:

the great and  powerful bazz has spoken,  the wizzard of ozz joka aside.  Barry has a very very good point. 

 hes got 50 plus years of experience in collecting behind his words.

 

Hi Barry,  hows life going 

 

okay, I was also noticing this white line, initially I though a scratch but you are giving a shinogi ji is not flat. How does that white line show that? Because it has a ‘S’ curve to it? It should look completely straight? 
 

thanks 

 

victor 

 

 

[PNSSHOGUN]

If you just want one good genuine sword, saving up your money is the way to go. Use the time to research further and get an eye for quality. Always better to invest more in a decent sword, rather than waste 1500 on something problematic.

[Bazza]

18 hours ago, VRGC said:

okay, I was also noticing this white line, initially I though a scratch but you are giving a shinogi ji is not flat. How does that white line show that? Because it has a ‘S’ curve to it? It should look completely straight?

Victor,yes, the 'white line' should be straight.  In this case I'm guessing it is a fluorescent tube refection.  You can do the same thing with any straight line, like a door surround, running it up and down/along the blade.  Any deviation in the shitaji (foundation polish) will show up as 'wobbles' in the geometry of the blade.

 

BaZZa.