Jump to content

Death-Ace

Members
  • Posts

    344
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    2

Everything posted by Death-Ace

  1. Bruce, I hear you! Standard Kai-Gunto we know to have black ito. I think this was a case of just recycling the original tsuka and just refitting it. Funny story, a fellow Louisiana collector has an old Muromachi wakizashi in good polish that he had bought from a veteran. A literal barn find. They struck a deal, but before he came back for it, the old GI wanted to be nice and cleaned the entire thing, including the nakago! While indeed a friendly gesture, a sure wouldn't want to be that guy! Just like my dad's old Lee Enfield "jungle" carbine he bought mint im the early '70s, when they were cheap. He loaned to a friend a year down to road to hunt, and the guy thought it would be a surprise to have it sporterized for my dad, lol. Chris, how have you been?! And I agree, the tsuba was another buting point for me. David, thank you. That is where I have been doing my research along with a few pages from a book. I agree, Google is the best, haha. Just like for fellow collectors to take a whack, but I do believe after looking, it is most likely gimei. Inposted it in the translation forum, per Bruce's advise too. I just didn't want to take up too much bandwidth, haha.
  2. Hey guys! This is one that I have posted in the Military section, but wanted to post hete to get some opinions on the mei. Something looks off, and it doesn't seen to match any, especially with the spacing on one kanji. What do y'all think? Thanks in advance!
  3. Thanks guys! John, you're definitely right. Although many went to war with their owners, the tsuka would have been too fragile, either Edo or prior. Thankfully, refit solved that for those that believe they would need to use theirs in combat, especially China deployments. Or just so it wouldn't crumble, haha. The saya appears to have been fitted for the ashi/hangers at one point. But that along with the koiguchi are now lost.
  4. Bruce, Thanks for your interest! It is something that intrigues me as well. We've seen quite a few "draftees" that have had the tsuka fully replaced, but use the "original" saya and other mounts, and others that have had the tsuka's fuchi and kashira replaced. I have to say that this is honestly the only example I have seen with the naval Kai-Gunto's F/K on an original tsuka. Maybe original to the blade or a refitted different tsuka, but age looks Edo era on the ito. The remaining tosugu on the saya looks handachi/tachi in nature, unless those are also Kai-Gunto fittings. But I'll verify that when I have it in hand. I have seen a few custom examples (online and one in person), that have white, undyed same on the tsuka, but like you said, the first I have seen that retains the possibly original tsuka, with naval f/k. Possibly to save time and funds, without having to create an entirely new koshirae and give it the Kai-Gunto appearance. As for older blades in naval mounts, I agree. Most wakizashi and katana mounted for the IJN during the late 30s to 1945 seem to have been fully converted to Kai Gunto fittings, with quite a few retaining the older tsuba. Those in traditional koshirae having the universal one ashi and leather cover (leading to unknown servive branch providence unless picture proof and surrender tag is taken as to where it was gained); although, there seems to have been quite a few katana/tachi in original mounts with two ashi and the black dyed leather cover. It's always intriguing to see these variations and wonder what shops did it and why. Regardless, I do like the blade, no hakobore that was seen. There was a fear that there was a long fukure leading into the hamon, but just a rust spot most likely where water was retained from moisture or an attempted cleaning. Edit: Looking closer at the ito, it looks more likely a Showa era redo with the brown ito. If so, and the original tsuka, makes me wonder why the whole thing was not replaced? May still have been easier just retaining it as a base.
  5. Hey gents! Here's a blade I "picked up" a month ago, and think it will be my final until things are sorted out at home and all is well here in Japan. I don't really buy off the internet anymore, but got it for a very decent price from a down to Earth fellow militaria collector, mostly due to it being an older blade (although Shinto), and in converted koshirae. The blade is in decent shape, and from pics and my dad who currently has it, is in great shape, minus what is seen, although the pics make the rust look worse than it is. Judging from the mei, and the generations of Munetsugu, it looks off. At least, one of the characters appears spread further apart as well. What are your opinions? In any case, will have decent pics and actual measurements and such next time I go on leave and pick it up. Think it will be happy being next to the Mikasa in my apartment, haha.
  6. Agreed. We have all seen or heard of works papered to a smith that are mumei due to rejections to the same person. Thank you for posting this, I have wondered if some signatures were just unique or due to condition or age as a swordsmith's years went on. Of course, an unusual "strong" signature in a smith's later life or whatnot could have various reasons, whether by his hand or an apprentice. As Steve said, one factor is that it could tell a smith's condition or maybe emotional state as painters/sculpters/writers do. This is why I do not think gimei should not be removed, if "original" to the blade. While a bit more naive and maybe optimistic, it could have been a tribute/copy, an ato mei, etc., although it most likely is just a deceitful gimei. You can still tell a smith/school without a signature or modded yasurime due to removal. They can also be a learning point to who did gimei, which smiths they emulated the signature, when they they did it. Historically, it could point to a smith trying to put his name out and/or earn money, technically speaking, when times/finances were bad, etc. And putting timeframe of gimei by other smiths in the same, could have reflected sword markets' supply/demand. A bit far-fetched, but I think it is interesting. Unfortunately, most smiths appear that have not kept a journal, some were illiterate, or maybe a few were lost in time. It would be a nice way to see a smith's personal work changed with artistic appeal, mood etc. With more documentation.
  7. Trystan, Yessir! Nice little player for what I got it for. Definitely not like the JV Strats, but the pickups are actually not bad. Brian, do you ever come across any NK bayos? Very hard to find out of the DPRK, but I know some who have a few. Must have been taken out of Grenada during the invasion or such when they were sent as aid.
  8. I would get the more complete one, too, if the price is right. They are both showato, and Kai Gunto, but are great choices! The one with one ashi is an original and correct Kai-Gunto, just missing one. It has a tassel, so depending on the price, that may be a good one too. I think the 2nd may be the best choice, however.
  9. I agree with Paul. It looks more shinto, maybe mid-Shinto (1700s)? It looks to be a nice, healthy blade with some minor loose grain? It may be photos, but it almost looks acid polished, although I think it is just the view. I would attempt more pictures in natural sunlight or a black background. Blades are difficult things to photograph when not in perfect polish, and even then can be a pain.
  10. That sword looks to have kizu with the blue diamonds used to hide the flaws! Haha! I like it, fun to ward off the kiddos! I used to collect pens, guitars, Japanese classics and German handguns and quite a few others (my top three surplus were a 1937 Walther PP in 9mm Kurz, a 1941 T94 Nambu with two matching mags, and a P27 Mosin). I also worked and owned, not at once, an '85 Celica GTS, a '79 RX7 LE, and traded my Miata for an '85 RX7 GSL-SE, which I miss dearly. I used to collect a lot of militaria, to buy and sell, with the pieces given to me by vets as my keeps (which I still have) and the others as needed. My best finds were an SS dagger, an SS Smock, and an FJ smock. All sold Alas, in my collection, is an Esterbrook LJ, a Colt M1911 modified for National Matches, an 83 Squier Buller, and my 73 Honda Civic as my project when I return from Japan. Very very rusty, with quite a bit of solid steel, but much welding needed.
  11. I've been collecting militaria since I was 6, and have seen quite a few collections in my hometown broke up from both theatres. The best was a Battle of the Bulge grouping that retained a few items, most notably a dated Fallschirmjager smock and an SS smock, taken straight from the depot. There was a P38 and a K98 at one point, but was taken by the family along with other things for the sake of sentimentality (sold individually). As for swords, I've only seen a few groupings. I bought a Type 95 and a Kai Gunto that had been lying in a garage for 57 years. Another collection of swords was given to a random auction house and broken up. With my family doing estate sales, there was a China Marine vet with another sword. This was taken by the family before I have a chance to buy it. This was after the contract was signed that all items not included in the sale was taken from the estate. This happens everywhere and I'm sure many vets would rather have their family sell their pick-ups, with many others hoping it would stay. But most seem to be sold for less than their worth to buy games or other items that lasted a short time to please their tastes. It's their right, but a lot of it goes to greed.
  12. Brian, Thanks for the response, brother! I guess that solves my OCD with it. I figured it wouldn't, being a low temp. Good call on the lacquer. Let's just hope no one is cleaning their blades with just soap and water and uses a hairdryer as a quick solution, haha.
  13. Hey guys, With new and improved ways to preserve Nihonto, such as the isopropyl treatment and microfiber cloths, its dawned on me to ask this that one has told me recently. For polished blades or whatever reason a blade may be wet, a hair dryer can be used to avoid or evaporate water in the grain. While I can see that working, albeit if its been that long it has gotten inside, I can't see it really making a difference. I can't see myself doing this. One, even though I do not use water diluted products, is that it could bliw dust or dirt, depending on the cleanliness of the area. The second is, could this actually have any effect on the hamon? Most hair dryers only go to 140 fahrenheit to reduce risk of burns. I could see this having less risk on a blade than leaving in a hot car or those who use boiling water to loosen a habaki. But I wouldn't think a temp this high would affect the structures in the hamon?
  14. The Met has some nice blades on display. On Manhattan, as well, there is the Manhattan Arts and Antiques Center with the Akasaka Collection. Beautiful tosugu and swords, as well as armor and other old Japanese art. On the first floor, if he still is there, is an excellent speaking Japanese expat who sells woodblocks and other swords of varying quality. But has very good prices!
  15. I may be wrong, but that looks like a clamshell grip, with the lighter colors indicating as such! I believe this to be a IJA General Grade Parade Sabre. Excellent find and in excellent shape!
  16. I know the question, but am going a little further in detail. I've had 17 blades in the 15 years I have collected. Most were not in polish, but I got most well below 1000 (a few 500 or below) that just needed a slight "treatment" of uchiko (way back when), isopropyl alcohol, and oil to see the activities of a hamon and jihada. I have spent 2000 on two blades separately, one was in polish, an o-suriage Kanbun era blade in Type 98 mounts. Had a lovely suguha/gunome mix with nezumi ashi evenly spaced out. The other four I had mostly gotten for around 900, a Kashu Nagatsugu in T98, a Yamato Senjuin in laquered shirasaya, a "kamikaze" Kaiken (400 in 2005), and a Boy's Day blade with lovely masame and a lovely midare with choji, emulating a tachi. My favorite two were the Boy's Day, with nice tosugu, and the Yamato. Both had a few fukure, but as old as they were, I accepted. The quality is amazing! The only blade I have at the moment is a Ko-Uda wakizashi, out of polish with utilitarian koshiare modified for WWII. It does have some repaired ware in the bohi, but in the proper light, and oiled, I can see the old hadori polish as well as all the activites within the hamon and the hada. I spent 260, plus a trade of a few old WWII US militaria I had gotten free from being saved from trash. I am keeping that one, as the rest I have sold for issues (personal) and to pay bills. Most of my collection came from auctions or militaria shows. You're not crazy, in my eyes, for wanting to spend 30k on a sword if yoh have the money. But also ensure thats what you want. A reason that a lot of nihonto, even on dealer's sites, are going cheaper than usual or having price reductions is because of the economy, and depending on the time of year. There have been a few Juyo going less than 20k. But it depends on the school, fittings can help, and the smith (if attributed). I do believe Uda and Ko-Uda are underpriced, as much as can be for some in the Kamakura period. But it's all personal and what's marketable. I wouldn't buy a Juyo unless I won the lottery, but I feel like for that price, I could buy a sword from each major sword school for 6000 each, papered and polished and have quite a bit to study. And for a fraction that, have quite a few books! Koto and gendaito are my focal points, loving the reasoning behind them for combat, but I would love a ko-Bizen, or a Ko-Hoki, as Darcy had for sale a while back. If I could spend 30k, that blade would have been the one I wanted. If not that, a Norishige if the sky's the limit. I would love to have a Ko-Hoki, a Go Yoshihiro, a Norishige, and each attributable Ko-Uda and Uda smith. I love the former two for their beauty, and the latter for their durability and beauty, even if quality began to degrade during the late Nanbokucho/Muromachi era. Again, its what you want to collect! If I had to have one sword for 30k, and wanted it to be an investment, a papered Juyo or TH of a particular school is what I would get. But for pleasure, you know my choice.
  17. I can't remember if it mentioned the smith, but there was a very VERY similar ko-wakizashi shown on a 2004 National Geographic. I believe it was inlaid as well and the horimono was phenomenol. I remember ir saying how ir sold for a pretty penny. It actually boosted my interest in traditional Nihonto and wakizashi!
  18. Bruce, That may have been it! Although, I do recall one in shirasaya, I believe. It did have the stamp, but the nakago had a more unrefined cut (still sharply done, but see an indent at the end from appeared to be a first attempt. Maybe I'm thinking it wrong, however.
  19. I feel that it's like any military protocol. You just go around it, haha. Just like sidearms of the day, you used what worked forbyou, if you're purchasing it. There's been plenty of wakizashi found with original koshirae and surely some placed in those mounts during/before the war. One I found appeared to have a slightly laquered saya, just as a protector. Surely as the war went on, everything started going last ditch. I've had three wakizashi remounted for the war. One was in Type 98, custom made, but with an elongated saya (blade was 22 inches nagasa), to make it look daito length. The other two was in original koshirae, but one was a very poor kazuuchimono, and the leather cover either poor quality or pressed paper. My last blade, an early Ko-Uda, may have been shortened before service or maybe during the Bakumatsu, as the mounts tend to lead to that. The blade, though getting tired, is very nice. The tosugu are iron, and the fuchi/kashira are welded. So I believe it to be the former. Just an old warrior someone wanted to bring to war from the family or bought from a shop, without pretty and expensive fittings. Fit for a soldier. I remember a Koa Isshin being sold on Heritage Auctions that had been shortened to wakizashi length, with some discussing was done post war, but this sheds new light as to theories. It was in shirasaya, and could have been done by a post-war practitioner, when many gendaito were used, but I wouldn't see the point of shortening a katana length blade to a wakizashi if the goal was for iaido or tameshigiri. Its probably general knowledge, I do believe older blades would have been shortened too to fit the owner's necessities. The tachi I had appeared to have had that. Plenty of swords were broken in the field, least on the continent, and repaired. I'm sure some were "customized" and placed into mounts as could be afforded. My thinking on shirasaya, tanto wouldn't have necessarily been used as much as a katana would in say, China, on those occasions, and thinking in the aspect that the sword is the soul of a warrior, didn't need it to be placed in koshirae, and to keep it protected until either he returned from the deployment, or death. So to keep it safe in a koshirae and keep his soul, was a win win. Or, as some katana and wakizashi we find with leather covering for a full shirasaya, maybe with a tsuba added as can be found, was the same train of thought. Maybe could not afford, or waiting for mounts to be remade. Or if that officer/soldier was not a swordsman by hobby, just wanted something to keep it safe in, but carry as per regulations. Surely most, even non-practioners, knew that a shirasaya isn't the best to use for combat! We know some officers had multiple swords, and I can almost guarantee that some of those said to have been captured in theatre actually were. Either say in a living quarters, or they decided to bring it to battle, even without the mounts. I think there are some that believe that the Japanese were to the book on everything during the war. But they were full grown adults, many very educated and had that westernized mindset or just being human, so nothing really is 100% to the T, haha. We have seen the recently discovered order for shorter wakizashi during the war years to be donated, and we all understand the reasoning and shortage, but we know that wakizashi, ko/o-, had been used since near the dawning of then-modern Japan. There's been quite a few wakizashi found in kyu-gunto, and high quality early Type 98 and Kai-Gunto fittings. This post is very interesting! Thank you Bob!
  20. Death-Ace

    Shikkake Hada?

    Dang Chris! I'm starting to miss sword more and more now! Glad you're getting good assessments!
  21. Hey brother! While the yokote does appear to be slightly erased, it is still noticable and distict in person.
  22. Sorry for the wait! Finally home on leave and got possession of the blade. Hefty one and straight. I can confirm the hamon is unbroken, but with the heavy kesho polish, is hard to take pictures, also due to polish and my poor skills. I am going to buy some incandescent bulbs and attempt a reshoot. There is a few areas of delaminations. Has some nice activities, but can't quite make out everything. Will reattempt! Here are some pics and a few dimensions! MEI: Mumei NAGASA: 78.2cm SUGATA: 8 1/2 in SORI: SORI MEASURMENT: KISSAKI: 1 3/16 KISSAKI MEASURMENT: 1 3/16 MUNE: Iori-mune KASANE: 1/4 in Saki-Kasane: MOTOHABA: 1 3/16 Sakihaba: 3/4 in NAKAGO CONDITION: Suriage NAKAGO SHAPE: MEKUGIANA: Two YASURIME:
  23. Steve, I remember that auction! Wasn't he nihonto777 or the such? A lot of high quality blades, he sold. Unless it was a private seller, I can't recall. All I remember is a near mint Gassan Sadakatsu with high quality fittings with a general frade tassel. The story was that the Marine who found it was taken by a Japanese POW to the graves of two high ranking officers and this blade was on top. Stayed with the family until 2005(?) when it was sold on eBay. Right before Letters of Iwo Jima came out if I remember, but sounds supiciously like the end of the movie, so coulda been after. I'm pretty sure it was right beforehand. Last I recall, it sold for 20k.
  24. I remember that blade! It's a beautiful one. Even though the smith is not that well known, it appears that he made some beautiful blades. Great catch!
  25. Hey guys! Thanks for the replies! I am definitely not an advocate for acid or the "lemon/vinegar" technique as I've also seen what it has done to blades. I get the neutralization with bases, but I still don't like it for nihonto. Maybe modern monosteel blades, where there is no real hada. I will not lie, I have done it with a very worn out blade early in my collecting, but doesn't really give any true effect, I feel. I believe it will pop put if done, but do not wish to risk it. But moving onward! Thankfully, I have been studying nihonto more keenly for the past 13 years. A lot of knowledge I hace gained and yet to gain come from the few books I've had, articles, fellow collectors, and very much so this board! Without this place, I'd have been stuck in a rut with my studies I feel if not for this place! I agree with the statements regarding the mei. The Aoe I've seen seem to have larger mei and definitely not near the mune. If it is a gimei, and not some lesser known Yoshitsugu, I feel that it was placed prior the suriage, and to the side to feel more appealing to a prospective customer than a blade with a mekugi-ana in it. Which if this "hole" is indeed the original, then it would have appeared a smoth signed before the chiseling of the mei. I know it has been done, but other blades we have seen where it disrupts the mei appear to have been chiseled above and below the mekugi-ana. However, blades also have mei in different areas, as we know. But Aoe? Most I've seen of other smiths have been the common "middle of the nakago." Other from the known facts, I agree with Michael with it being a lesser known smith, or an older gimei. The second, more recent mekugi-ana appears to be a older, punched one, leading me to believe the possible chance the signature is original to the blade, real or not. Once I have it in hand, I will look it more in depth. As for the hada and hamon. It is unfortunate that the pictures are not as detailed. With some lighting adjustments (aka photoshop), I do see some hada, as well as the hamon running into the nakago as well as a boshi that may be thinning more towards the tip of the kissaki. Definitely once I get home in a few, I'll take some more detailed ones as I study this piece. As for the health, I agree with Michael with it being a very tired old tachi. Pic 7 definitely shows some worrisome delaminations. Looking forward, there is another one i mentioned earlier that looks to have been repaired sometime in its life. The pits are another factor. Whether rust or rough grain and shingane poking through, I will study once I am home. Thankfully, the collector who owned this before me was serious about preservation, no matter swords, guns, or any other militaria. When I first bought this, I had thoughts of it being Kamakura, due to the shape. But scratched my head at the Yoshitsugu signature, with thoughts of gimei. It doesn't seem that era of Nanbokucho as it appears tachi of the time were more "beefier" due to the recent conflicts, especially that of the Mongol invasion. I could not tell. All in all, it is my hopes of it being Kamakura, even being tired. It is an honor, nevertheless, to preserve an old warrior that made it to this time and let it have some rest! With the recent financial/marriage issue situation, this will most likely be the one I keep if things do not work out. Haha. Even with the flaws and suriage, it has always fascinated and humbled me that such blades made it this far, while many were shortened more and discarded in the hundreds of years past. And was called up one time to serve another, modern warrior class. As such stated above, to avoid possbile feuds, I would most likely take this to Yokosuka with me, as that is my next assignment. Time will tell! Again, thank you all and I will update you more! Y'all are the best!
×
×
  • Create New...