Unusual "handachi" mounts + blade?

[Jorgensen]

I came across this (to me) unusual mounts (and blade) today and bought it right away as price was more than reasonable.

 

But in fact I do have a lot of questions about it and was hoping some of you were able to provide me som info about it. I am not sure what you exactly call this kind/type of mounts/koshirae in english and some info on age/province/school if possible etc. on blade will be much appreciated too.

 

I personally think the mounts are very, very nice. I like the large silver menukis (about 6,5 cm long). Of course its overall not in the very best condition, a bit rusty and so is the blade. It seems to be a nice blade that have had a very nice polish. All parts/fittings perfectly match together and is complete and saya seems to match the blade and has large kojiri in handachi style. Nakago has three holes. Rust is no deeper than it can be polish again and blade seems to be quite healthy after all. The guy I bought it from told me he had it from an old man who have had it in his basement for many years.

 

There seem to be a mon on the Kashira, which family mon is this?

 

I have uploaded photos here. Please be patient, large image file: http://reklamezonen.dk/Unusual_handachi_mounts.jpg

 

Hope you can help with some info and look forward to hear your opinions.

 

//J. Jorgensen

[John A Stuart]

Hi J., You have some serious restoration to do and some bucks to dole out. If you do you will have an attractive koshirae. I have always found handachi type koshirae that way. Your biggest worry is metal loss due to corrosion. The saya probably needs to be replaced and the hardware remounted, you will have to do it if you polish the blade anyway. The tsuka, same seems OK, again the metalwork will have to be removed cleaned and repatinated, with the tsuba being problematic. The blade itself, o/suriage, mumei, in any event needs a total polish, foundation up, some heavy pitting will be there. This will be an expensive project, but, if you are not in a rush and do it gradually over time may make you happy. John

[b.hennick]

The menuki have an art deco look about them to me. This is the year of the water dragon. Interesting koshirae.

[Peter Bleed]

Dear Friend,

This is a neat sword. I would have liked an overall view, but... Is it a "handachi"? Well, gee. Basically, a handachi is a tachi with a kurikata so that it can be worn like a katana. . I also think that it would be - ahhh - wrong to class a shoto as a handachi. In the cannons of bakumatsu taste, I doubt that this would not be called a "handachi."

Oh, and by the way, i really like the tsuka!

Peter

[John A Stuart]

It might be better to say Handachi style koshirae. Like this wakizashi. John

[Baka Gaijin]

Morning all

 

Hi J.Jorgensen, the Kamon on the Fuchi looks like one called "Onimitsu Gashiwa".

 

Cheers

[Jorgensen]

Thank you for the replies, I really appreciate your help.

 

What I meant was something like Handachi style mounts and I that I particulary find the tsuka and tsuka fittings unusual/not so common (I have not seen those often myself) and this is why I found this sword very interesting.

 

John:

Yes, corrosion there is. To repatinate the part, I dont know if I will do. I dont know how and where to have this done either and that this was possible with good result. Ok, I think the pictures tends to make it look worse than it is irl, even looking closely. Blade I think I will have polished, know a couple good polishers who could do this. But yes, I have no hurry and im prepared that it could easily cost a few bucks. On the other side, I got it cheap.

 

I like your website btw. Nice pics and swords.

 

 

B. Hennick:

Thanks for reply. Thats right - thats the word I could'nt find myself. Art deco. Do you know if this is common and is it european inspired then?

 

 

Peter Bleed:

Thanks for the reply too. I will take a couple more pictures later today with overview. I should have done from the beginning I realize this probably not are handachi, but I don't know the right term for this kind of mounts/koshirae?..

 

 

ERazer:

Thank you very much about the info on the kamon. Haven't seen this name before, very interesting and informative. I appreciate the help.

 

 

Also, I cant agree with myself on the age on the blade, any ideas?

 

//J. Jorgensen

[Jorgensen]

New pictures of full overview as told earlier... To me it looks like a koto blade, but please let me know what you think?

 

See the pictures here: http://reklamezonen.dk/Unusual_handachi_mounts_2.jpg or in the attachment.

[Bazza]

J Jorgensen, could you please show us a clear, good picture of the kojiri (the end scabbard fitting)?

Regards,

BaZZa.