Unearthed Edo wakizashi in Berlin

[BIG]

https://www.livescie...unearthed-in-germany

[Lewis B]

It's amazing how a little 'patina' can get museums so excited, when there are SOOO many examples from the period that are in pristine condition. 'Richly decorated' is stretching it. To spend money on a 'restoration' is a fallacy when the funds could be better spent on some high quality polishes of other blades. I find it hard to imagine what it looked like pre-restoration. Some things are just a lost cause. 

 

[BIG]

Do not find the missons art gifts for prussia, ..

but we have these gifts in France.

 

I will try to find out more about this poor wakizashi.

 

https://www.japanpol...082920221811409.html

[Lewis B]

Having seen the Von Roretz/Petermandl collection from the 19th century, I would not hold my hopes it will something 'important'. As was already mentioned in a previous thread, Japan was not in the habit of giving gifts of blades by the best makers to Gaijin. 

[Alex A]

I think maybe someone from the Museum has led a rather sheltered life on the subject, judging from statements like this.

 

"Who could have imagined that at a time when Japan was isolated and hardly any European travelers came to the country, such a long-used and richly decorated weapon would end up here in Berlin?" Matthias Wemhoff, state archaeologist of Berlin and director of the Museum of Prehistory and Early History, said in the statement.

[Stefan]

Well,  what is the fuss about ? Before  WWII there have been collections  of  japaneses swords in Berlin.  During the  war, many  houses  have been bombed, many  swords have been destroyed. So it is no wonder to find  such an thing  in  an cellar filled up with rubble etc. Nobody  cared  at this time about  antqiues. They  did have  serious problems. Does  this  Wakizashi has something  to do with the gifts  presented  to  the German  Emporer by the Japanes, no. Why  not  take  it as what it is. An wakizashi  which  has been destroyed  during  the war. All the other  is pure speculation and nonsens.

[PNSSHOGUN]

What a load of absolute hogwash. They will be losing their minds over unearthed "important" Looney Tunes glasses next.

[BIG]

Tsuba design reminds me this school..

 

http://www.ricecrack.../827_tsuba_kiku.html

[Lewis B]

You can't make this stuff up. Anyone would think the Curator's had never seen antique Nihonto. If this was a Viking Ulfberht blade I could understand the excitement. Whats especially odd is that the Berlin Samurai Museum were consultants in this debacle. 

 

https://archaeology....ii-rubble-in-berlin/