alpha53 Posted March 3 Report Posted March 3 Years ago I bought this wakizashi that is supposed to be signed by masahiro and the seller claimed is from the muromachi period. Since I got it I've always wondered about the pommel cap and if there is a reason it would be lacquered in what appears to me to be poor fashion. The pommel cap is magnetic so it is definitely metal and looks like there is a design under the lacquer. Is there any reason this may have been done? Quote
Scogg Posted March 3 Report Posted March 3 Hi Riley, welcome to the forum! The "Pommel Cap" is what we refer to as the "Kashira". Lacquer covered fittings are not unheard of. Even finding fittings that have received a modern and amateur paint-job is not uncommon. I am not knowledgeable when it comes to sword fittings, so I am hoping one of our more experience members chimes in on the Lacquer covered fittings questions. All I can say is, that i've seen similar things before. Here's a photo, and a link, with some common sword terminology that hopefully helps your searches. https://nihonto.com/...iagrams-terminology/ I am also in Oregon. If you are interested, I'd be happy to look at your sword and offer my non-expert/collector opinion and provide advice. There is a Militaria Sale/show on March 22nd near the Portland airport. If you are interested, I will be there, and feel free to send me a message. Not many Nihonto collectors out here in Oregon. Cheers, -Sam 1 1 Quote
Matsunoki Posted March 3 Report Posted March 3 Difficult to tell exactly what has been done from these images or what the underlying work depicts but, iron fittings can be found lacquered for two fairly common reasons (and probably a few less common) 1. to prevent rusting or disguise rusting (many samurai were very impoverished) 2. to tone them down to a more shakudo type of finish perhaps to apparently match an odd shakudo fuchi. I have also seen hastily assembled “Satsuma Rebellion” swords with lacquered fittings including tsuba. 1 2 Quote
alpha53 Posted March 4 Author Report Posted March 4 Thank you both for your replies. All super helpful information. Its great to find a fellow nihonto collector in Oregon. You aren't kidding about there not being many around these parts. I was actually planning a trip to Portland the 22nd so I think I'll add the militaria sale/show to my trip. 1 Quote
Scogg Posted March 4 Report Posted March 4 I will send you a message with the flyer and information for the show. It was rescheduled from February during our “snow” day . So much of the info online wasn’t correctly updated Let me know if you make it! All the best, -Sam 1 Quote
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