Cello Posted February 8, 2011 Report Posted February 8, 2011 Hi does anyone have any thoughs on this blade?Is it shinshinto/showa?Does it look to be of any quality or specfic school/smith? ....It's 36 3/7 total length but has been shortned,blade length is 25 5/16 on has the begining of the mei on each side any thought would be appreciated. thx Cello Quote
george trotter Posted February 9, 2011 Report Posted February 9, 2011 You don't show overall view of blade, or kissaki or all nakago, or mei etc. or measurements. It would be helpful to see where bo-hi ends and mei character is located etc. George Quote
SwordGuyJoe Posted February 9, 2011 Report Posted February 9, 2011 Cello, The age is tough to tell with out a picture of the sugata. The patination of the nakago is a hint, but depending on the environmental conditions this blade was in, this could be anything from showa to late koto. The sugata would be the telling sign. I'll take a guess, based on the pics, but temper my guess with what I said above. I don't see any real sori to speak of, so I would lean toward shinto. I really doubt showa, but possible, and would nearly completely eliminate shinshinto (if what I am seeing is right), due to their throwing back to koto sugata during that time. Vague enough for you? Others will more than likely chime in here too. Quote
Cello Posted February 9, 2011 Author Report Posted February 9, 2011 Hey thanks Joe .,actually your post Is exactly the kind of input I was looking for. I gives me insight on how experienced collectors process and evaluate a blad so I can learn how to do the same.your correct not much sori I'm trying to get a better lens to take better shots of it myself. I'll add them as soon as I do.thanks for you thoughts give the limited info I posted Cello Quote
cabowen Posted February 9, 2011 Report Posted February 9, 2011 From the location of what is left of the mei, it can be determined that the sword has been substantially shortened. This would indicate that the bo-hi which ends in a maru-dome, was cut after the blade was shortened. The color of patina indicates the blade is not all that old. The freshness of the tagane-makura confirms this. The ji-gane is also quite compact and also indicates the blade is not that old. The use of Minamoto to start out the mei is not seen often. The kanji on the ura, Bun, is most likely the beginning of a date. There are three nengo in the shinshinto era that start with this kanji (Bunka (1804), Bunsei (1818). and Bunkyo (1861). Prior to the shinshinto period, the last time it was used was in Bunroku (1592). It is safe to say the blade is not from Bunroku, which leaves three dates in the Shinshinto period. I would suggest researching shinshinto smiths working in the Bizen-den that signed with Minamoto..... Hope this is of some help..... Quote
Cello Posted February 9, 2011 Author Report Posted February 9, 2011 That definitly helps narrow it down guess time to crack some books!..question does the new position of the machi show that rhe bohi is original since it is far above the maru-dome, since the original macho would have been lower and line up with it properly within 3cm according to what I've read ? I prob have ir wrong just seems to make sense to me??maybe lol... Thx Cello Quote
Cello Posted February 13, 2011 Author Report Posted February 13, 2011 Here are some addt'l pics of the blade.....what would this type of flaw be called besides UGLY!!..haha.....also what is the term for this type of formation in the hammon??The sword has very little sori about 1/8 in and is very thick towards the nagako about a 1/4 inch is this typical to a older blade.I know the kanji bun limits the years but it doesn't seem to fit in the shinshinto style or maybe i'm just confused i thought the shinshinto era blades had a deeper sori??Anyone have any thoughts?? Thanks cello Quote
cabowen Posted February 14, 2011 Report Posted February 14, 2011 The flaw appears to be a combination of a fukure (blister) and a kitae-ware (forging flaw). It is most likely the reason the bo-hi was cut. Sometimes, if one is lucky, these types of flaws, if in the shinogi-ji, can be removed by cutting a bo-hi. But sometimes not.... The blade has been shortened quite a bit so that the sori is not original. Shinshinto blades were not, in general, straight, but there were late blades made to fit cane mountings that were quite straight, so it is not unheard of.... Quote
Cello Posted February 14, 2011 Author Report Posted February 14, 2011 So chris would it be safe to say this is a fatal flaw?? or is it just a really ugly one?? Thx Cello Quote
cabowen Posted February 14, 2011 Report Posted February 14, 2011 it is not considered a fatal flaw, only cosmetic. Quote
Cello Posted February 14, 2011 Author Report Posted February 14, 2011 So I assume their is not way to diminish the extent of this flaw?Not necessarly repair but cosmetical improve it?? cello Quote
cabowen Posted February 14, 2011 Report Posted February 14, 2011 If they hadn't cut the groove it could have possibly been repaired/hidden with an umegane but now that it is in the groove, so to speak, I think you are pretty much stuck with it..... Quote
Cello Posted February 15, 2011 Author Report Posted February 15, 2011 The reason I ask about the flaw is that it was undisclosed when the blade was purchased on line. I know bad way to but swords for this exact reason......but The seller is very easy and will refund without a problem.do you feel that 1000.00 is a fair price had it not had the flaw? And with the flaw?? Cello Quote
cabowen Posted February 15, 2011 Report Posted February 15, 2011 It looks like a pretty nice sword otherwise and suspect that it would easily be worth much more than $1000 without the flaw. With the flaw, it seems like a fair price to me, but it is your money and you are the one that has to look at it.... Quote
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