Edo Katana... Info requested

[Bob in Ohio]

I am a principally a firearms collector, but travel the margins too. I recently added this thinking it was a just a typical Katana. I knew it was right and it's been in the closet for many yrs from where I bought it. It is my first Japanese sword, so this a new world for me.

 

I posted on a Japanese firearms site some pics and they helped, but I thought I would bring it here in the hopes of learning more. Someone suggested it's a Edo (1680?) period blade made by Sagamino kami Fujiwara Hiroshige. I measured the cutting edge properly from the habaki and it's 71.5 cm long (28.1"). I want to get your confirmation on this and ask some questions....

 

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Here's how you can help....

1) Curious on the yellow painted 787?

2) Is this an edge that should be authenticated/ papered in some way?

3) This (if I understand correctly) has been reworked as a Shinto blade for WWII.... are these Edo reworks uncommon?

4) Is the signature from a desirable smith?

5) My intentions are unknown at this time. I simply love this katana.... just not sure I can afford to keep it? Any gross ballbark range on valuation would be good to know.

6) Is the real value in the blade only, or is the whole package critical to it's value?

 

Thanks in advance...Bob

[mdiddy]

Bob,

 

I think I can help. Here are my answers to your questions:

 

1) The yellow painted 787 is most likely a warehouse number painted on as the sword was fitted in the Shin Gunto mountings ca. late 1930's.

2) I do not think so. The signature matches closely to examples by Hiroshige. I do not think it is likely to be gimei (copied signature).

3) Edo blades mounted in Shin Gunto mountings are rarer than blades made in the 1930's-1940's mounted in Shin Gunto mountings. However, they are not altogether uncommon.

4) The smith is considered 'Chu Saku', or average, in Fujishiro's classic reference. Not a famous smith, but a more desirable package than a Shin Gunto with average 1940's blade (showato).

5) Per forum rules, values are not typically discussed.

6) My opinion is the whole package would be more valuable than the blade alone. Just my $0.02.

 

I hope that helps.

 

Matt

[bmoore1322]

@ Matt, yes exactly, the sword is valued more as a whole.

 

I really like this one, but of course I prefer the Showa Era swords, with the combat mounts.

 

Brian

[Geraint]

Hi Bob.

 

I think that is a really nice find! Matt has said pretty much all you asked. The condition of the blade is all important and from the section that you show it looks fairly good, just a little light oil will preserve it, don't try anything else please. Would it be possible to show images of the whole blade, out of the mounts? And if you can get a picture of the hamon in the tip (boshi) that would be great.

 

For a first sword this is a great start, you may now be at the beginning of a truly exciting journey if you have been bitten by the bug. Welcome.

 

All the best.

[pcfarrar]

I really like this one, but of course I prefer the Showa Era swords, with the combat mounts.

 

This is a mount that would have been used in combat.

[Brian]

Brian....

Yes..the real value lies in the blade, especially with earlier blades like this one. The wartime mounts, while having value on their own, are of secondary importance. The blade is what counts here, unless you are a militaria collector. A blade will survive 1000 years if properly cared for, and will have many changes of "clothes" so to speak.

The painted numbers are probably just rack numbers from the war...unusual for an earlier blade but not really significant.

Nice long blade, might be worth having restored and put into shirasaya.

People quite often took their family swords with them to war, having had them mounted in wartime fittings. It is not unusual. The blades found in Gunto fittings can be anything, from a treasure to a mass produced machine made blade.

 

Brian

[runagmc]

As Brian says, the blade holds most the value, but I think most people will agree the sword and mounts are best left together, since it appears the military mounts were made for the sword. If the sword is ever put into shirasaya, you can have a tsunagi made for the mounts and display them with the sword, since they are in pretty good condition.

[nagamaki - Franco]

1) proper care http://www.jssus.org/articles/7.html

2) a 28.1" katana with a valid mei of a chu saku rated swordsmith places a sword squarely in the collectible category, as well as making it worth the cost of a full proper restoration at a cost of $100.00 + per inch (an option, but not essential). While it is not essential to keep WWII mounts with an older samurai sword, it would be a wise decision in terms of desirablity to a future collector.

3) whether keeping or selling this sword an 'origami' verifying the mei by submitting it to a shinsa isn't a bad idea, especially prior to investing in the cost of a polish. See the current discussion entitled NTHK NPO Shinsa by Chris Bowen.

[Bob in Ohio]

So here are some blade pics. As you know, these can be tough to image... reflection of trees and photographer etc...

[mdiddy]

Bob,

 

Judging from your photos the sword looks to be in really good condition. It would need to be seen in hand but my current opinion is that it does not need a costly restoration. However, it does need the care and treatment that Franco pointed out in his link. If you diligently follow the guidance in the link you will be able to preserve the sword in the same good condition.

 

Having papers/'Origami' might be nice for selling. I found this link to a similar military mounted Hiroshige sold at Christies in 2002: http://www.christies.com/lotFinder/lot_ ... ID=3932661.

 

Matt