paulb Posted July 26, 2012 Report Posted July 26, 2012 I think the did it because they believed it to be a koto sword Quote
DirkO Posted July 26, 2012 Report Posted July 26, 2012 I would agree with Paul, many of the Koto Gassan were simply signed 'Gassan' although there are signed pieces left as well. I think their attribution refers to that fact. Quote
Jacques Posted July 26, 2012 Report Posted July 26, 2012 Hi, Justin said: Thanks for your thoughts regarding kantei, however going back to my original question, do you think the NBTHK put simply 'Gassan' on the paper because: a). They believe this is a koto period sword b). They don't know which time priod to place this sword, however they know it was made by Gassan school This is what I really want to know. Only the NBTHK can give you the good response. Quote
NihontoEurope Posted July 26, 2012 Report Posted July 26, 2012 Justin said: Thanks for your thoughts regarding kantei, however going back to my original question, do you think the NBTHK put simply 'Gassan' on the paper because: a). They believe this is a koto period sword b). They don't know which time period to place this sword, however they know it was made by Gassan school This is what I really want to know. Justin, "a" does not rule out "b" as "b" does not rule out "a". However, If a sword is detected as a kotou sword, but not to a specific smith. It will not default as a "Gassan" och "Gassan school" and if they detect the sword as a "Gassan" or "Gassan School" they will attribute it as such. That's the way it is and works. /Martin Quote
Surfson Posted July 27, 2012 Report Posted July 27, 2012 I have heard the "koto" gassan referred to as Dewa Gassan. Quote
Chishiki Posted July 29, 2012 Report Posted July 29, 2012 Hi Justin. My best suggestion is to seek further opinions whilst the sword is still in Japan. Have your agent contact a recognized appraiser such as Tanobe (does he still do appraisals independent of the NBTHK (sayagaki?), or Fujishiro?. Or get him to take it back to the the NBTHK and seek clarification. It depends how far you want to take your research. For what it's worth I think the sword is not Koto. Regards Mark Quote
Justin Posted July 29, 2012 Author Report Posted July 29, 2012 My contact in Japan picked the sword up on Friday and he asked about the attribution. The NBTHK said Dewa no Gassan, Muromachi Jidai. Thanks for all your feedback. It has been an interesting discussion. Quote
Chishiki Posted July 29, 2012 Report Posted July 29, 2012 and they all lived happily ever after. Good Result. The End! Quote
Justin Posted December 24, 2012 Author Report Posted December 24, 2012 I spotted this and thought I'd share it: http://www.sanmei.com/contents/media/T2 ... PUP_E.html The colour of the steel and the hada are almost identical to my sword. The nakago is also the same. The paper is just Gassan. Quote
Nobutaka Posted October 6, 2013 Report Posted October 6, 2013 Hi Justin, I found your thread and thought you might be interested to see my own Koto Gassan. It is signed 'Gassan saku' and has ayasugi hada as well. I acquired it in 2009 and purchased it from a Japanese dealer. I'll try to post a decent photo of the hada at a later date. Vaughan Quote
Alan Morton Posted October 12, 2013 Report Posted October 12, 2013 Hello Justin, I just recently got the Gassan Sadamitsu katana back from polish and it is stunning and faultless and full of hataraki but no ayasugi hada. Yamato tradition masame hada and because of the condition before polish I would of sworn back and blue it was deado the same as the one he made in the Gassan Tradition for the Boston Museum but without the horimono. The Sadamitsu and Sadakatsu and unpolished Mumei Gassan? are here for your comparison on your next visit to Sydney Regards Al Quote
Justin Posted October 12, 2013 Author Report Posted October 12, 2013 Thanks Al. Look forward to seeing it. Might be up in Sydney in November. Will keep you posted. Quote
Alan Morton Posted October 12, 2013 Report Posted October 12, 2013 Justin, make a point of it , the mumei blade is rather unique either Koto or made to look old, could be any one Sadakazu???. Also the Red wine might run out those people in WA, I forget their names except RT are buying it by the barrel . Best Al Quote
David Flynn Posted October 13, 2013 Report Posted October 13, 2013 I've seen Alan's Sadamitsu and I was very surprised. I saw it before it was polished and also thought it was Ayasugi. However, seeing it polished, I agree with Alan, Yamato tradition with fantastic flowing Masame and heaps of Hataraki. Quote
falconj Posted October 14, 2013 Report Posted October 14, 2013 Quote Only the NBTHK can give you the good response. I thought this was the original question that Justin asked, that the NBTHK did not clarify the sword at least Dr Tokunoh Kasuo would have ventured an opinion on it's origin or smiths work regards John ps, not all red is being chugalugged, still some available, and I hope to catch up with you all again soon, Justin, David, and Alan and all on the other side of the rabbit proof fence!! Quote
Justin Posted October 14, 2013 Author Report Posted October 14, 2013 All good with my sword John. The NBTHK clarified that it was Ko Gassan, Muromachi period. It is all about Alan now Quote
Surfson Posted November 16, 2013 Report Posted November 16, 2013 Hi Justin et al. I just discovered this thread. Interestingly, it is after I bought this sword from Justin. It's great to have such a nice discourse on the sword. I imagine that the nakago has been extraordinarily well preserved over the years (I have some very early shinto that have nearly mint nakago and in which the yasurime is as if made last century). I must say that the hada is gorgeous on this blade. Cheers, Surf Quote
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