I'm at the point of buying my first decent Nihonto, and would appreciate thoughts and opinions about it before I do.
Photos are on this link;
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/aadams196 ... directlink
I've been given permission to post the photos and I have the following information about it;
" It dates from the Nambokucho era (1333-1392) and shows slight wear from the many polishes on one side, as it is frequently seen on swords that old which have been used at war at various ages.
No problem for showing my pics to others. Just, I wish to address in advance potential remarks, as the sword in question is not a luxurious one, but a very affordable one for a blade 600 years old that showed to have been fighting over the ages.
The mounts are antique, there is some wear to the ray skin on the 150 year old tsuka, and I had to get the saya relacquered as it was too damaged. So today the lacquer looks new, but it will patinate with time.
- the hadaare is located on the right side of the blade ahead of the habaki, over a 15cm-long section over the shinogi-ji. This is typical of blades that sustained numerous polishes, as the polisher's body weighs more on one side of the blade (right side) than the left one, due to the polisher's traditional working position. If you look at koto blades, many of them have more wear on the right side than the left one.
- the only other tired part of the blade is the kissaki. It is a long and slender O-kissaki, which is more fragile than average. "
Thanks for your time.
Andrew