please help with identificaion and history of this sword

[Hawkins]

Any information and history on this sword would be greatly appreciated.

[Hawkins]

another photo

[Hawkins]

another

[Hawkins]

picture

[drbvac]

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.

[Hawkins]

picture

[John A Stuart]

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

[Hawkins]

picture

[Hawkins]

pic

[Hawkins]

again

[Hawkins]

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...

[cabowen]

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....

[Hawkins]

here is the other side....

[Hawkins]

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...

[Grey Doffin]

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

[runagmc]

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?

[cabowen]

I have seen some serious craftsmanship in export work. It is rare, but not unheard of....This looks to be fairly nice cloisonne work....

[Hawkins]

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

[IanB]

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