Evaluation: katana in koshirae

[JGrinneiser]

Hi members,

 

I received pictures for the katana I was telling you earlier, so I decided to open this new thread in order to receive an evaluation on this item I saw last week.

 

I'm pondering the idea of buying it in order to make it an ongoing restoration project. But though I guess how much it will cost me to have the whole set repaired (€3,000+), I wonder if this particular sword is worth the trouble. I am, after all, just a beginner, and I know there are many things I'm bound not to see while trying to appraise this particular item. And although I find the saya, tsuba, fuchi and kashira quite remarkable, I may be fooled. That's why I'm turning to you for advices.

 

Now please let me try to describe the blade, and feel free to tell me where I'm wrong:

- katana in koshirae

- 65cm from kissaki to nakago (nagasa)

- nakago roughly 16.5cm

- the shape is torii zori

- the tip of the blade is chu kissaki, maybe oo-kissaki

- the shape of the nakago is kata yamagata, with katte-sagari

- the hamon seems to be either douran or hako midare

- no idea about the mune (I would guess iori or mitsu).

 

Once again, thank you for your time and patience.

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Jess,

My advice is to go slow on restoration projects; you don't know nearly enough at the present to make intelligent decisions about this or another sword.

I can't tell much about this sword from the pictures so I can't say anything for sure about whether or not it would be smart monetarily to buy and restore, but the vast majority of Japanese swords would be worth less after purchase and restoration than the cost involved. Just by odds the answer on this sword is probably no.

Any case, buy books, look at tons of good swords, and study hard. The day will come when you'll find the right sword and you'll know enough to recognize it.

Grey

[Curran]

I agree with Grey.

Nihonto has such a long history. It is necessary to have a very good foundation before trying a restoration project. Otherwise there are so many small mistakes you can make in having an item restored. Years later, you will see each mistake as big as the moon in the night sky.

 

At present, your risk vs reward is very high.

But at least you are asking for advice and sound open to hearing it.

[JGrinneiser]

  Curran said:

I agree with Grey.

Nihonto has such a long history. It is necessary to have a very good foundation before trying a restoration project. Otherwise there are so many small mistakes you can make in having an item restored. Years later, you will see each mistake as big as the moon in the night sky.

 

At present, your risk vs reward is very high.

But at least you are asking for advice and sound open to hearing it.

 

Indeed. Whatsoever, I am receiving more books this week, and have planned to go to more museums in order to better my "eye". I started stalking this forum 18 months ago, so I do know there still are a lot of things to learn.

 

Btw, the katana got sold today, so I'll let this thread die accordingly.

 

Best regards.

[Jean]

JS

 

If you are interested we have an Association in France the KTK which holds two annual meetings where you will be able to handle some high grade blades, feel free to contact me by mail. There is also a French forum should you be interested :D