koto suriage tachi

[markc]

Hell Everyone,

I recently acquired this sword and the seller thinks early Muromachi Yamato style circa 1450

deimensions are:

Negasa: 65.5 cm estimated to be 74.5 before shortening

Sori: 1.5 cm

Nakago: 18.5 cm

Attributes:

temper line: slightly wavy chu-suguha

Temper Pattern: ko-nei

Boshi: kaen

fittings are gold over shakudo with flower design and the tsuba is mokko shape iron with leaf pattern.

After studying this sword for some time it does fit all the descriptions of yamoto school from the above mentioned period.

If i could hazard a guess possibly Tegai Kanenaga?

The Nakago has some faint characters on it only one is barely visible.

This sword has a look of elegance about it if i can use that term. Any comments or opinions would be welcomed and appreciated.

Thank You

Markc

[markc]

Just a few more pics

 

thanks

Markc

[cabowen]

based on the flowing masame shown in your photo I think Yamato is a very good bet. Nice looking sword....

 

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/download ... p?id=24257

[george trotter]

Mark,

The hamon looks suguba from the pics and the boshi looks like it has hakikake so with masame hada you might IMHO check it against Yamato Hosho . I have seen hakikake in other Yamato work too, such as Kanabo...by Masasane, but the combo above seems Hosho.

 

Looking at the kinpun mei though, am I imagining "Mori"?...if so that would suggest Yamato Senjuin.

 

Looks like you will have fun researching this blade...very nice, and fittings too.

Regards,

George.

[paulb]

Just to jump on the band wagon I would also start with Yamato. However with what can be seen of the boshi it has the "old mans beard" look which is a kantei indicator for Shikkake. Also from what can be seen of the hada there appears to be a mix of itame mokume and I think masame running in to the hamon. If this is the case then again shikkake would be a reasonable call.

Trouble is as you progress in to the 1400's the differentiation between the 5 schools becomes a little (or a lot) blurred and unless all features are clear which in this case they are not, accurate assesment becomes even more difficult.

All that said it is an interesting looking sword. I wouls love to see it after it is polished.

Rgeards

paul

[cabowen]

Trouble is as you progress in to the 1400's the differentiation between the 5 schools becomes a little (or a lot) blurred and unless all features are clear which in this case they are not, accurate assesment becomes even more difficult.

 

 

Which is why saying anything more than yamato, especially without actually having the sword in hand, is shooting in the dark.....

[paulb]

I stand corrected and chastised!

[george trotter]

ummm...me too!

 

Geo.

[cabowen]

Guys, no chastising meant......I was offering up an explanation as to why I said only Yamato originally....nothing wrong with offering opinions beyond that if you are so inclined.....the additional info may help the owner of the sword with it in hand....

[paulb]

No problem Chris,

even after more years than I care to admit, sometimes enthusiasm can take me beyond the facts and in to speculation. No harm in coming down to earth occassionally :-)

[markc]

Thank you to all who replied on this one, with many hours of further study i might have half a chance of pinpointing it's maker.

 

your comments have been most helpful

 

Markc

[markc]

Dear Members,

just for interest sake the sword in this post papered at the Sydney Shinsa as Bungo Takada School Jokyo period 1684-1688.

there was no attribution to the smith.

The Sydney Shinsa was a great experience, talking to other collectors, organisers and in particular Andrew Ickeringill who shared his experiences as an apprentice Art Sword Polisher.

 

 

regards to all

 

Markc

[cabowen]

Dear Members,

just for interest sake the sword in this post papered at the Sydney Shinsa as Bungo Takada School Jokyo period 1684-1688.

there was no attribution to the smith.

 

 

?????

[pcfarrar]

just for interest sake the sword in this post papered at the Sydney Shinsa as Bungo Takada School Jokyo period 1684-1688.

 

Did you ask for any clarification on why they decided on Bungo Takada?

[jrs]

Col. Hartley once quipped to me that when the shinsa team couldn't make a decision, they said Bungo Takeda.

 

James

[markc]

Thanks Peter,

at the time i did not think to query this decision as i assumed the Shinsa Team had a far greater knoledge than a newbie like me.

 

 

regards

Markc