Shirasaya indetification

[davel]

A friend is offered this shirasaya and he asked me if i could post it here to get some insiders comments on it

 

Thxs !

[Mark]

not quite sure what you want, but the mei is Emura saku. If you google Emura you will find plenty of information, Richard Stein's site has info on him

[Takahashi]

Although I am also a beginner in Nihonto, it should be mentioned that the term shirasaya refers to a wooden scabbard. :?

But regarding the pics you uploaded, you are looking for a mei translation or a general opinion on this sword. Mark already gave you the translation of the mei/signature (Emura saku = made by Emura). Emura was a swordsmith during WW2 and made traditionally forged swords (Gendaito). At first glance this looks like a nice Gendaito with a Suguha Hamon.

 

Perhaps somebody more experienced may give you more info on the sword.

 

Cheers,

[davel]

The Mei trasslation was already a big help. Thxs a lot !! The price they are asking is around 2500 euro or 3400 usd. Is that a reasonable price for a piece like this ? As I read on Mr. Stein's site, some of his students also used the same signature so i believe it's really hard to be sure Chounsai Emura made the sword ?

 

Thxs,

Dave

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

  davel said:

A friend is offered...

 

Guess your friend would find these useful :

 

http://www.k3.dion.ne.jp/~j-gunto/gunto_062.htm

 

http://www.h4.dion.ne.jp/~t-ohmura/gunto_064.htm

[davel]

Waaw thxs a ton man !!

 

Dave

[davel]

When reading Mr. Stein's site and the links Carlo provided , i'm finding 2 different names for the person :

1. Chounsai Emura

2. Shigetaro Emura

 

Are those both the same person ?

 

Dave

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

  davel said:

When reading Mr. Stein's site and the links Carlo provided , i'm finding 2 different names for the person :

1. Chounsai Emura

2. Shigetaro Emura

 

Are those both the same person ?

 

Dave

 

When in doubt between me and Rich, trust Rich.

 

From his site :

 

"It is believed that his real name was Shigetaro Emura."

[Brian]

I don't usually go into values on this forum, but in my own opinion, that is a little high for an Emura blade. Typically they are going for around $2500-3000, and higher than that, it would have to be a very good blade in full polish.

But I do know that values in Europe are higher than the USA, so perhaps it is not too bad.

 

Brian

[Carlo Giuseppe Tacchini]

  Brian said:

But I do know that values in Europe are higher than the USA, so perhaps it is not too bad.

 

Correct, and even in Europe there are differences between the states. In Italy, that have unbelivable foolish laws about import of swords, you can expect to pay a well preserved (blade and mount) NCO gunto even 1,500.00 euro in some renown (infamous?) shops...

 

This blade is an EmuraTo, lacking somewhat in polish and in Shirasaya only. If the buyer is not in Italy, I second Brian's opinion.

[davel]

We're in Belgium here and a local Japanese man is offering this piece. I told my friend he can probably get something better or at least mounted for that money...let's wait and see..

 

Thxs for the help here !!

 

Dave

[pcfarrar]

  Brian said:

But I do know that values in Europe are higher than the USA, so perhaps it is not too bad.

 

Emura swords can be bought fairly cheap in the UK. Bill Tagg has one in his shop in Liverpool, reasonable old polish, gunto mounts, nice bizen nagamitsu style choji hamon for £850.

[Tom Clancy]

Dave i say if you like it buy it. Emura blades are hard to evaluate. Did he sign all the blades? Were there some of the inmates better than himself? I have an Emura that looks like none that i have seen.

 

Tom.

[davel]

@tom, indeed looks like hard to say if it really comes from his hand ..Do you have any pics from your blade ?

 

Dave

[David Flynn]

Emura blades come in many styles. Some are absolutely gorgeous, while others are just poor old plain Jane.

[Tom Clancy]

Hi Dave

Here are a few pics of the Emura you asked for.

Tom.