Hawkins Posted January 22, 2012 Report Posted January 22, 2012 Any information and history on this sword would be greatly appreciated. Quote
drbvac Posted January 22, 2012 Report Posted January 22, 2012 The nakago has markings but the mounts and the fact that the badly rusted blade looks like it was plated at some time I would believe IMHO that this is a reproduction. Quote
John A Stuart Posted January 22, 2012 Report Posted January 22, 2012 As on SFI it is a sword by Bishu Osafune Kiyomitsu of Tenbun hachi 1539. What I'd like to know is what does everyone think about the koshirae. Having this sue-koto blade surprised the heck out of me. John Quote
Hawkins Posted January 22, 2012 Author Report Posted January 22, 2012 I added oil to the blade only to stop the rust... It has been located in Louisiana since it was brought back in WWII, family members did not take the time to store this sword correctly.. Therefore, it passed on to me in the rusty condition... Quote
cabowen Posted January 22, 2012 Report Posted January 22, 2012 Meiji or thereabouts export item I would guess....Sometimes they had nicer blades in them...Then again, until this is polished it is hard to say if it is a better blade or not.... Quote
Hawkins Posted January 22, 2012 Author Report Posted January 22, 2012 here is the other side.... Quote
Hawkins Posted January 22, 2012 Author Report Posted January 22, 2012 This was my Grandfathers sword, he brought it back from his tour as a C.I.A. in WWII. That is all I know about it... Quote
Grey Doffin Posted January 23, 2012 Report Posted January 23, 2012 Hi guys, If this is real cloisonne (looks like it), even if the mounts are Meiji period and made for export, isn't this something special? Cloisonne koshirae are very uncommon. Grey Quote
runagmc Posted January 23, 2012 Report Posted January 23, 2012 Somebody spent some time doing the art on that koshirae. It looks like pretty good quality to me, but I admit I haven't spent much time looking at stuff like this. At first glance it looks like tourist trade work or modern Chinese repro, but looking at the quality I'm not so sure. Are some of those chrysanthemum type flowers done in inlaid mother of pearl or abalone? Quote
cabowen Posted January 23, 2012 Report Posted January 23, 2012 I have seen some serious craftsmanship in export work. It is rare, but not unheard of....This looks to be fairly nice cloisonne work.... Quote
Hawkins Posted January 23, 2012 Author Report Posted January 23, 2012 I don't know if these pictures of the blade will help, but here they are. Also, if there is anymore pictures I could take of certain angles that would help, let me know... thanks again Quote
IanB Posted January 23, 2012 Report Posted January 23, 2012 Hawkins, Yes this is real cloisonne and is a Meiji export piece. You can see the cloisonnes at the mouth of the scabbard where the koiguchi is missing. Many years ago there was an enormous one sold at Christies (?) in London about 10 foot long. I remember seeing it hung on the wall during the viewing. Brought a fortune as I remember. Be very careful with the mount - when damaged cloisonne work loses a great deal of its value. The missing koiguchi should be easy to replace since I note the fittings are plain. Despite being export ware, these items seem to fetch a great deal of money in auctions - so well done you. Ian Bottomley Quote
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