new member that found old sword

[boomstick]

Hello Im new to this site so bear with me . I have had a fascination with Japanese swords for years ,always hoping to one day own one. I was at a gun show recently and saw an old sword in origional saya but with leather and see shell wraped handle.The man said it was Japanese military and that it was worthless because of missing fittings.I saw the rusty tang and a signature in Japanese. I took a chance and for $100 bought it.After days of E-mails and many people wanting to buy it I recieved comfirmation that it is an authentic Japanese sword from 16th century or older I was told. The name on the tang is Moriie.The blade is in great shape, just heavily darkened and a few small surface deposits. Can anybody tell me what would be best to do with blade? I am not selling it so should I invest in pieriod fittings and a blade polish or restoration? If my blade is that old does that mean it is layered steel with hamon? Would grain and hamon be noticable after pollishing and where do you send something like that to get done. I would love to hear some advice on this from anyone as Im sure you all know more than I do thank you for your time.

[sensei215]

Hi,

Well I think it would first help if you could post photos of both sides and the tang so we have some idea of what your sword looks like. The length of the cutting edge( from the point to the notch) and the overall length. If you start with that I would be glad to help as I know others here will aaso help you.

 

Tim S

 

PS you are supposed to sign your posts

[boomstick]

I am trying to figure out how to send pics on net. Please have some patience and ill have some for you to look at soon. thanks .....tyler

[Stephen]

T

 

if all else fails you can email them to me and ill post them. reduce, crop and they should post.

[boomstick]

I recieved help to get the pics of my sword on the board . Should be ready to view soon. Had more news on my sword today, its become a real puzle. The first person I sent the picts to last week said the name on tang is Moriyasu. He wants to buy sword but will not give me anymore info on it untill I do. Then I heard from two Japanese sisters who own a shop specialising in authentic Japanese swords. They said name on blade is Moriie and that it dates from 16th century or older. Today I heard from big sword shop in london and they say name on tang is Toshimoto and that it dates to 400-500years old. Need advice on were to send inscription to get proper translation. London shop said shells were most likely put on sword by U.S GI or a native during war. Although they are not proper fittings I find them and leatherwork amazing ... ...........................................................................................................................................................afterthought, if blade gets repolish or restoration will there be a hamon visable? Were all older swords clay tempered and layered steel? thanks guys Tyler

[John A Stuart]

Hi Tyler, Lets wait for the pics. It would be conjecture otherwise. John

[Stephen]

No zip files? twelve individual letters Oh Vey!...lol ok here we go

[Stephen]

more to come fittings looks like it was added to by someone other than Japanese

[Stephen]

last few really dont show much in out of state polish. Hamachi is in good shape so not overly polished.

[Nobody]

I agree with Moriie (盛家).

[ironron]

I never seem to find anything that cheap.

[Stephen]

should I invest in period fittings and a blade polish or restoration?

 

IMO yes

 

Would grain and hamon be noticeable after polishing and where do you send something like that to get done.

 

without a doubt, with the chance of this blade being important id go with a top togi...maybe in Nippon. Perhaps a shinsa first to get a feeling on the mei.

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

Curious. I can't figure out where such decorations comes from. Philippines possibly.

 

If they'r legit, someone wearing just a tissue had better care of a Nihonto than so many western "civilized" owners...

[John A Stuart]

... someone wearing just a tissue ...

I don't know why, but, that is a very funny image you have created, Carlo. John

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

... with no offense meant to the aborigenous people of anywhere. Jungle is my 3rd passion.

[sensei215]

Nice find. From an educated guess I think it may have been reworked in the Solomon Islands or New Guinea.

 

Tim S

[nagamaki - Franco]

Perhaps a shinsa first to get a feeling on the mei.

 

Hello, agree, first things first, have a window opened by a "good polisher", then, submit to shinsa, then, based on the result begin thinking about the rest of the story. (edit) In the mean time continue to study and research the sword as best you can, including seeking out additional opinions.

[boomstick]

Thanks to all who comented on sword especially Stephen for posting them for me . Is it safe to say the sword is authentic? Can someone tell me how common a blade such as this is ? I looked on e bay and there are lots of ww II swords for sale for example. The ones coming from the states look real and go for about $ 1.200 are these fakes like the ones from china or are they the real deal ...Is that the value of a military sword $1.200 - $ 1.500.? One person who polishes swords for living told me that some blades are old and tired and that pollishing them is waste of time is that true ? ps If I invest in period fittings can I do assembly or leave it to professional? Tyler

[estcrh]

Thanks to all who comented on sword especially Stephen for posting them for me . Is it safe to say the sword is authentic? Can someone tell me how common a blade such as this is ? I looked on e bay and there are lots of ww II swords for sale for example. The ones coming from the states look real and go for about $ 1.200 are these fakes like the ones from china or are they the real deal ...Is that the value of a military sword $1.200 - $ 1.500.? One person who polishes swords for living told me that some blades are old and tired and that pollishing them is waste of time is that true ? ps If I invest in period fittings can I do assembly or leave it to professional? Tyler

Thousands of Japanese swords came here with vets after the war, both ww2 swords and old antiques so there are a lot of authentic swords in the states, plus now there is a steady stream of real swords coming here from Japan every year through the internet and dealers with connections in Japan.

[Brian]

Tyler,

Yes..the average "machine made" WW2 swords go for around $800-1500.

But condition and who made it is important. Yours isn't WW2 though. Served in the war, yes. But was an older family blade taken to war. Restoration is tricky. As they told you, some are not worth restoring..others are. You need to send it to a polisher to check out a small area and tell you if it can be restored. Then you can decide.

And no..doing the fittings yourself is not an option, as this is far too advanced and complicated.

 

Regards,

Brian