New Sword

[Mark Green]

Hi gang,

 

I went scouting today, and found this nice Koto (likely) cut down katana, with some wonderful fittings. Wavy Saguha, Mokume hada Except for being cut down, nearly flawless.

What do ya'll think. Better pics later.

Mark G

[bridgeofdreams]

Mark,

 

Love the bohi and sugata, it must have been truly magnificent before it was cut down. Still looks like a great find.

 

Craig

[Mark Green]

Thanks Craig,

Yup, one of those just plain lucky day finds. Check out the fittings on the togu page.

They are even more stunning.

Mark

[raven2]

Gee Mark,

 

Looks like you did have a very good day. Wish I had areas to scout like that. Nice Blade and koshirae.

[Jean]

Hi Mark,

 

Splendid, did you buy it? and if not How much was it worth?

[Stephen]

Mark

 

good find, was wondering how it came about, ad in the paper or someone knows you collect and told you about it....like to hear how they came about ...not so much of what you paid.

[Mark Green]

Well Steven,

About twice a year I stop in downtown, in the old antique store section, and walk through the stores. I usualy just ask the owner if they have anything Japanese.

It was just a lucky day. The owner of this one store had just recieved a few swords from an old ww2 vet., for consignment.

The sword I ended up with, And a wonderful Koto Yamato,Masatsugu. #1 I'm pretty sure, as the mei matched very well., with wonderful iron Higo fittings, with great gold & silver inlay of flowing Paulownias. The sword was in great shape, near flawless. (if anyone is interested, I will go back and take some pics. I think he wants around 4K for it).

So, I did the research for him on the Masatsugu, and he gave me a great deal on the old katana, with the nice fittings.

That is about it.

There are old antique stores in every town. The old WW2 vet. , know nothing about ebay, and computers (mostly) So, they go the next best place.

I must have had some good karma coming I guess.

The sword is in good shape, and the fittings are great. As I have a little bit of experence with mixed metals now, I can better judge what is good quality inlay.

I'm posting some good close pics of the fittings when I'm done here.

[mdiddy]

Mark,

 

Very nice find! Gotta feel good to find it locally.

 

What is the current length and any estimate on what the original length may have been?

 

Best,

 

Matt

[Mark Green]

Hi Matt,

Yup, that was a nice find. It is right at 24 in now. I plan to get it out today, and do all the info measured up. Im thinking that first ana, may have been the orig. I see some file marks.

Better pics, and measurements to come, for all you experts out there that like to play.

Mark G