dwmc

Hello Members, I decided to post this as more of a "Show and Tell" for those of us who have a few of the Showa Era non-traditional forged swords, non-tamahagane swords, etc... I purchased a mumei sword many years ago (very reasonably) after noticing, even in a very out of polished state, it had a prominent hada. Almost an Hadatatsu/Hadamono type. The sword was what I thought appeared to be a high Shinogi Yamato appearing Koto blade. However the Nakago simply didn't bear this (hopeful) opinion out...just didn't have older Koto look. Shin-shinto era copy maybe??? Anyway, I eventually took it to the San Francisco sword show in 2012. Showed it to many of the sword dealers, upon looking at the sword, most had the look of someone who had just taken a large shot of extremely high proof alcohol... Eventually, I ended up at the booth of Mr. Bob Hughes who had invited Mr. Nagamasa Ikeda, a well known Togishi to offer some minor sword repair work during the sword show. I immediately jumped at the opportunity to have window polished in the sword. Mr. Ikeda looked at the sword for just a very short period of time and said...Mantetsu. Mr. Hughes spoke with him briefly and returned to me and said my sword was forged using Manchurian steel. He said it was a Showa era forged sword, hince the lack of a older looking Nakago. As I mentioned earlier, the sword is unsigned, and was unsure how Mr. Ikeda had come to this conclusion so quickly, but even after he opened the window, he still maintained it was forged with Mantetsu using traditional methods. Part of his reasoning was do to the hardness of the steel. I've read a couple of articles which mention Manchurian steel was highly prized by Japanese Sword Smiths. I assume meaning for forging swords by traditional methods, although using Manchurian steel. (Not the Koa Isshin forged swords) Are these swords forged by traditional methods during the Showa era but using Manchurian steel simply a rare anomaly. I can find very little concerning the type of sword??? Dave

Nice work on the seppa...guess had you not told us ... we probably would have been debating the origin of those also ! Interesting sword ! Dave

Oh, I got what you were saying now Stephen. Yes, probably wasted space until Ted takes a look. Not overly optimistic as to what his opinion will be, but will give it a go none the less, Dave

It's nihonto Stephen, but as you mentioned, I'm sure most would instantly recognize it as such, in hand.. Cant't wait for Ted to take a look. Hell, I may leave tonight... Dave

Jerimiah, No, Nothing really wildly expensive as of yet. I just found the sword in a local pawn shop with an elk antler handle attached and recognized the blade as possible nihonto. Of course noticed the prominent hamon also. Purchased it, removed the antler handle and found the nakago severaly altered. Thought I would inquire about the hamon style and show the members what someone is capable of doing when left to their own devices... Anyway, the photos are obviously terrible, I do however believe the sword is Shinto era Nihonto looking at it in hand. Whats left of the butcherd nakago show a gret deal of age and also some faint sujikai yasurime. Thanks,Dave

Darcy, SAS, and Carlo, Please accept my apology for slow response. Darcy, I agree fully with your assessment. Unfortunately, as you can see from the photos, this sword has seen an incredible amount of age and abuse. There are no pictures I can take that will present the sword in any better light than simply as is in it's present condition. The sword is difficult to make heads or tale from. It most certainly appears to be an acid etched something or another sword. I do however, as previously mentioned, thanks to folks such as yourselves and the NMB am extremely confident this sword is true nihonto. The Hamon? which which appears in the pictures I think is true hamon possibly enhanced by some means or another. The mihaba question may have been caused by the sword also looking as though it was sent through a mechanical sharpener a time or two. I will still most likely ask Ted Tarnold to take a look in the near future and will post his opinion.. SAS, No, there's really not much hope, and honestly, not looking for much. Carlos, No Yokote visible...Shinogi worn and rounded. Thank you Gentlemen... It might be interesting to see what Mr. Tarnold has to say with blade in hand. (After the initial horror of course.) Dave

Well, I can't say my third grade teacher didn't warn me that copying other peoples work would eventually catch up to me....lol

Many, many Suriage... Dave

I'm sure he will be the right person to talk to. Geez, just noticed I misspelled O-suriage not once but four times,, Old age I guess, Looking forward to contacting Ted. Dave

Stephen, Ted Tenold is only a few hours away and the osurage option is quite tempting. I spoke with him briefly regarding another sword a couple of years ago at the San Francisco sword show. Even though Jean is right, leave it as is, and replacing the nakago by osurage may be glaring example of my own stupidity. I would still love to see the sword in polish, all be it Osurage. Thank you again Gentlemen, I'll keep the sword posted in the future should Mr.Tenold agree to take on project. Dave

That's a definite option also Jean. Maybe more to be learned from as it presently is. Dave

Thanks Stephen, I'm stunned, I only briefly entertained the option of nakago replacement, but now that you mentioned it, I may very well do just what you suggest. Dave

Ok gentlemen, I assure you, I was as horrified as you when I removed a Deer horn handle from the nakago. I was hoping the well meaning good old boy had left the original nakago intact. Oh no, it of course needed modification. Don't get me wrong, the individual was most likely well meaning, and was simply unaware of what he was doing... But heck, from the habaki onward, it still has the faded appearance of a once well made blade. I'll certainly keep this sword, and study still what it has left to offer.. Thanks always, Dave

Thank You Jean !! Dave

Stephen, I lay odds you have also... Nakago, habaki photos forthcoming. Dave

Stephen, You would be horrified, even an old Marine like you... Dave

Thx Axel and Hoanh for your responses, As mentioned, I simply couldn't bare seeing this sword laying in a pawn shop display case. I'm most certainly not qualified to make a judgement as to true nihonto. Fortunately to individuals such as you, and the NMB. I am confident the sword is true nihonto. Even though the hamon appears acid etched it is true hamon and frankly, it also appears to be a fairly well forged blade. No flaws that I can see, hagire, fukure, a well made blade. The bad news...The nakago has been cut and ground, the habaki, unbelievably was soldered to the blade...soldered! A real tragedy, I will post pictures if requested, however reluctantly. Thanks, Dave

My apologies about poor photos,the sword was pretty much a rescue purchase. Out of polish,modified, etc... Basically, was hoping there would be enough hamon visible to render an opinion as to style. Additional photos added, but their not a great improvement beyond the previous... Again Thanks, Dave

Hello NMB members, This is a sword I recently purchased from an local area pawn shop. The blade is obviously in fairly poor condition, however, the hamon is still reasonably visible. I'm having trouble with determining which style best describes the hamon pattern. Gunome, Notare, Toran, combination of all three??? Would definitely appreciate further opinions... The sword has unfortunately too out of polish to determine any activites, although, there does seem to be a bit of Itame/Mokume grain visible. Thanks in advance, Dave

Mr. Morita, I continue to be in awe of your knowledge of Nihonto! Your translation has allowed me to finally understand the proper meaning of the inscription and will certainly prompt me to research the use of " Chigusa-tetsu". Domo Arigato Gozaimasu, Dave

Simply don't have clue as to what occurred with pictures. Photos posted in the past loaded perfectly. Will repost in furture as problem is resolved... Dave

Thanks, I'll give it a try... Dave

Not sure what occurred with photos. Will repost when I get it sorted out. My apologies, Dave

How do I stop spinning wheel going round and round??? Dave

Dear NMB members, I have translated this sword to what I believe to be a 1600's Tadayuki. Possibly 2nd/3rd Gen. I'm having a bit of trouble with the reverse side inscription I think is (Motte namban testsu kore saku), but a couple of the kanji (namban tetsu) don't seem quite the same as other examples I've found. Please take a quick look when you get a chance and let me know what you think. Thanks in advance, hopefully the photos are adequate. Dave