James3567 Posted November 6 Report Posted November 6 Hi all Im new to collecting Japanese swords. I was wondering if i could have some help or advice in the right direction. Been offered this 1500's sword Appàrently its a MURAMANCHI Era, Circa 1500 sword. im unsure as this is my first Ive attached photos Any help in authenacating this blade is much appricated. regards James Quote
ChrisW Posted November 6 Report Posted November 6 Muromachi or not, this has a lot of ware which are concerningly large. The mei looks spurious. The sword is so over-oiled that you can't really see any hada. The mounts are very recently restored. You can probably find better. What are they asking? I suppose that is the clincher. 1 1 Quote
James3567 Posted November 6 Author Report Posted November 6 Hey chris it was polished back in 2020. Professionaly in Japan by its second last owner at quite an expense. He is asking $6700 AUD Here is his description. ANTIQUE Japanese KATANA LONG SWORD (TACHI) SIGNED KANE YOSHI WITH SHIRASAYA KANE YOSHI TACHI with Japanese polish , MURAMANCHI Era, Circa 1500. Also comes with the Shira Saya and blade. Documentation that comes with this Katana shows the last owner purchased the Katana directly from Japan in 2020 where it was professionally polished, the cost of polishing a blade professionally in Japan is approx $4000. SIGNED KANE YOSHI. (combine good luck). Iron TSUBA with Gold floral releif. Silver HABAKI. and MENUKI. HAMON wide straight (HIRA-SUGUHA). Blade is overall in good condition with normal signs of wear, scars, scratches rust and stain. there are visible HOMARE KIZU (sword battle wounds) on the back of the blade. The big curved blade has an excellent HAMON and presents excellently for a 500 year old blade. This is the best Katana I have ever owned and displays excellently, it comes with its original SHIRASAYA (storage scabbard). As we all know good early bladed Katana swords are excellent investments that appreciate every year, this is one of those swords that is now over 500 years old. If that helps haha. Its alot of money but thsts the price we pay for miliatry over here. Regards James Quote
Brian Posted November 6 Report Posted November 6 It's not militaria or military. It's an antique civilian sword. And I suspect you can do faaar better from sellers inside Australia, there are plenty of swords available from collectors and dealers there for less. 1 1 Quote
Rivkin Posted November 6 Report Posted November 6 Its really bad. Recent (past 150 years) signature with substandard execution. Tremendous damage. Modern tsuka of low quality. 1 2 Quote
James3567 Posted November 6 Author Report Posted November 6 Hey guys thanks you just saved me $$$$ big time. I really appricate it. As i said its the first Japanese one i was looking at. Give me a european sword any day haha easier to pick. For me tho its to clean even if its been polished. Ray skin is bleach white and wrap is to good of nick to be 500 years old. Thanks guys Regards Jim Quote
nulldevice Posted November 6 Report Posted November 6 35 minutes ago, James3567 said: Hey guys thanks you just saved me $$$$ big time. I really appricate it. As i said its the first Japanese one i was looking at. Give me a european sword any day haha easier to pick. For me tho its to clean even if its been polished. Ray skin is bleach white and wrap is to good of nick to be 500 years old. Thanks guys Regards Jim Just a FYI that rarely are the mounts (koshirae) original to the sword. The wood and ray skin and other natural materials degrade over time. Real, old, collectible koshirae are their own set of serious collectors items and have their own grading papers to accompany them. id pass on this blade. The mune looks very badly chewed up with bit splits and there are lots of pits up and down the length of the blade. For that much money, I believe you could pick up a very nice koto blade with no flaws or defects without too much trouble. 2 Quote
2devnul Posted November 7 Report Posted November 7 On 11/6/2024 at 9:41 AM, James3567 said: He is asking $6700 AUD Well ... no comments ... Have a look (scroll down for Koshirae pictures) at this Koto blade, in fully restored (Fuchi, Menuki, Kashira, Tsuba are from Edo period) Koshirae. Top quality silk wrap on Tsuka, with Hishigami and imported from Japan ray skin. Saya/Tsuka made of Japanese Magnolia wood. Kojiri, Kurigata, Koiguchi made from buffalo horn. Blade is flawless IMO (for a 500 years old blade). No ware like the ones you have. Perfect polish. All that for 2500USD. https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/48905-could-it-be-bizen-kiyomitsu-which-one/#comment-510609 Quote
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