Dr Fox

Contacted by a friend as to what his military wakizashi, (which was given to him was worth). He supplied photos, and I requested more from him. And this is what I got. Have not read the Mei! Over to you for your thoughts, I have already formed my own opinions.

MORIYAMA-SAN / Jean. So if one does not fully accept the use of 'no ju', as part of Norimitsu's Mei. Then would it not be acceptable to think that Norimitsu, would not have made such an error in his own signing! Thus being two very good reasons, to declare this Mei as fake. Regards.

Thank you MORIYAMA-SAN That answers the initial problem. And Jean here's the blade, wakizashi at 33.cms. Got to go with you, never late 12th century. But I did feel early Edo??? Thank you all.

Jean Thank you as always ready to help, I got so far with this one, but but was not at all happy. Ray My thoughts exactly, tried the comparison methods, but not convinced. Now I have your considered opinions, I will backtrack and confirm why I was not convinced. Thank you again.

Your assistance would be appreciated on this translation. I just could not get it to scan. Thanks in advance.

Gentlemen, many thanks for your help. I had a few of the kanji, both right and wrong. Regards.

Thanks, do you see? 'Suke'

Can you please assist with a translation of the kanji on this nakago please?

There you go, another kudos for the Japanese sword. It can chop up asteroids! Who else can claim that?

I am just so glad you 'fell into it, not fell onto it, sad end to a great story.

To be fair to you Taylor, your instinct to post here was a very sensible move. Also you asked before purchase, so two points to your credit. Now go for a full house and look at what is real, and buy from trusted source your first blade. Because thats the one you will always remember.

Mike is a personal friend of mine. He did the following work for me as to my wishes. Step by step he contacted me with progress, I have no hesitation in recommending Mike. His range of lacquer work is extensive.

John. How do I feel your reference to ‘snide remark’ is directed at me. Allow me to assure you, sneering was not my intent, but can now see it was misplaced humour. I will bear this in mind in future exchanges, which I hope we can continue to have.

The advice I was given about any aggressive chemical is, That should it after application, enter into any ware or fault line in a blade, it has the possibility to be difficult to neutralise. Should it then be over sealed with an oil, the consequences could be dire. But if we consider already abused nihonto as worthless, and worth experimenting on, then so what? Me! Thats a nettle I can't grasp. And John there is no reflection on you in my post, its an opinion I have gained from advice given. Should I be proved wrong, its an opinion that I can certainly change.

This is something I might try on my marble katana too. lol.,

Many references are being made to ‘the polisher’ and his ability to magic away, both hagire and blade chips (repeated from my earlier post? Lets just regard the word ‘polish’ for a moment By its very sound its gives a vision of a soft cloth and a tin of Duraglit. Stop there, it’s not!. A blade enduring this process will lose metal. By their very nature of the stones employed, will grind with different degrees of aggression, the surface of the blade metal. Knowing the application of this method, and the blades condition at start, is why the training of Togishi is so long and intense. But also know this, subjecting a blade to a polish is a risk. Risk? Even the most skilled Togishi using the maximum of care, and the minimum amount stone, can uncover a ‘ware’ that could not have been expected to be there. (This could also apply to hagire previously unseen). Should you care too, spend time on the examination of the various angles, and areas of importance of the swords construction. Most especially the area from the shinogi to the ha, the area under discussion here. Each and every angle is what makes the blade unique, and gives it its cutting ability, and its rightful reputation. Jean nails this in post 34. So can hagire and blade chips, be removed without determent to the swords previous health? I can't answer that, but I am happy in the knowledge, that I can find a man who can.

Many references are being made to ‘the polisher’ and his ability to magic away, both blade chips and hagire. Before any work is done, the blade on first inspection, can give information as to its history, with a probable accurate indication of age, style and its smith. This is achieved from the form the blade presents. But early period swords do not present today, the health and shape as was present when made. So how is kantei even possible??. A clue might be gained, if we regard just what a togishi creed is, and what has been accepted and taught for centuries. “No matter the stage at which the polisher begins his work, the shape and character of the sword must be preserved and enhanced. The main aspects of the blade’s shape that should be observed are the length, the curvature, the width and proportions, the degree tapering from the base to the point of the blade, the shape and definition of the area around the point, the cross-sectional shape, and the thickness of the blade”. How that is squared with the removal of edge chips and hagire, I don't know, as I am not a togishi, if you are perhaps you could advise?

!0% that will be on a very good day indeed.

I must redraw your attention to Jeans post here. This brings into focus of the term 'fatal flaw'. If the hagire is in a blade of some age, there may very well not be enough metal left, to allow for the restorative work. Even if that hagire is only 1mm long. It would be judged as a fatal flaw.

Hi Brian I now see where I had a difficulty! Its in reference to 'hamon' as opposed to blade edge (ha). When I phrase is as the 'ha' of the blade, and then apply hagire, the crack then self explains to both sides of blade. Thus extending into the hamon, at this point the term hagire indicates this condition. At this point yes it is both sides, should the 'both sides' condition not be seen, then a blade scratch could be considered. I don't have a reference to cover a 1mm hagire, to say its 'o' hagire or any other size reference. But if a togishi is of the opinion that a reprofile of the ha, followed by a both sides of blade polish, will remove the condition then so be it. The term 'fatal flaw' is an opinion expressed, before an expert pure judgement examination is done.

Please accept my apologies if I have mis read and answered accordingly. I will respond to Brian and hope we can both arrive at some clarity.

The length of any crack does not alter its description of 'hagire. Any crack, that runs at right angle from the ha towards the hamon, is a hagire.

The 'purist' will not contemplate hagire in a blade, it detracts from perfect. A blade with hagire although having everything else a collector desires, will not demand the same high price. (but still has a value). The fear of a nihonto blade failing due to hagire, is NOT a consideration, it is not possessed for use. So any attempt to repair, or hide hagire in an art blade, can only be a reason to deceive. The formation and beauty of the hamon, is a result of temperature control, and is as Jean points out. Welding heat in such a small area will destroy the hamon. So a partnership between the welder and a Togishi, will be required to effect a repair, that will not pass exam. Hmmmm? On a personal note; a young student I met, wanted to join the nihonto fraternity, there was a wakizashi that showed a hagire in koshirae. I carefully explained this to him, and as the purchase price was reachable, he was delighted, and to him it is still a prized possession.

'Hagire' is accepted in sword terminology as a 'crack in the hamon' (fatal flaw). If it is repairable, then its not a hagire, its a repairable fault. So would identify with many others found in blades. Repair a recognised hagire! Why???? No one walks away from a 'fatal' fall!

Ray its always a pleasure to view your sale items, they always present an opportunity see excellent pieces. Presentation, explanation and full description its all there, thank you.