Alex A

Hello, here or log into Ebay.com usa

Another Enomoto Sadayoshi, made towards the end of his long career. I like its clean simple elegant lines. In Soshu tradition with Mitsu-mune

Was just looking through all the antiques, then i sees Darth Vaders helmet

If only the NBTHK would write a short note as to why they gave a named attribution, until then, il keep on guessing

I bought a tanto from Sadahito a few years ago, by way of Chris B. Sadahito did the sayagaki for his fathers tanto that he was selling, but to my surprise the tanto came with gift, he made a letter opener knife for me, fully signed. I might never have a sword made, but that was good enough for me, top dude.

For my own curiosity (and for anyone interested), spent some time this morning looking at Ko-Uda/Uda smiths, looking for details online and in books as to why some mumei Uda will receive an attribution to a particular smith name. Ive not come with anything new, in the back of my mind I was kind of thinking this has already been done and im treading old ground. We know Ko-Uda have a better reputation than the latter Uda, so you wouldn't expect such blades thrown into the Uda grab bag. (as well known) I went through most of the Uda school looking at blades online and in references, Kunikiyo, Kunihisa, Kunitsugu, Sanekuni,Kunizane, and so on. I suppose it comes down to basic Kantei, would first look to see if I could work out the age looking at sugata, nakago etc etc. Then there is the northern black steel which is often talked about, but not always the case. Kunimune made swords from dull black to brightly forged, I also have the attributed Hirakuni where only one out of the line of four smiths is said to have a "black" steel. Itame and Ko-itame mentioned a lot with masame and northern characteristics thrown in for good measure. You can pick out traits that will lead you to a particular smith, the age/characteristics/hamon for my sword. At the end of it all, i found a paragraph by Markus, that summed it all up with regards Uda, starting with "its safe to say", its katana, ko-uda (I dunno how you cut and paste from theses online write-ups) https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=YvqNcpSz8nQC&pg=PA5&lpg=PA5&dq=uda+kunihira&source=bl&ots=TlWyOVVvDE&sig=ACfU3U0ONSNaSAqq-iEXjkQdRs0MUQu92w&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi3vL36xr_pAhV-QEEAHUTBBMAQ6AEwEXoECAYQAQ#v=onepage&q=uda%20kunihira&f=false Excuse my ramblings, but at least in ones head now.

Il go with Enomoto Sadayoshi too

Tomotsugu is a name that has cropped up now and again whilst looking into Uda, just been looking at examples that are described as having a blackish jigane and ko-itame. Would take much much more than that though, I guess the NBTHK has many references of signed examples that gives them a giant head start when working out who made what.

I remember that sale, because it was such a great deal, loved that Uda and those fittings.

Love Junk, hope your not talking about the Tadakuni!

Thanks Jussi, was kind of hoping you would chime in with some of your data, much appreciated. Good to see an Hirakuni in there too. Il leave this here too, stops me searching for it http://www.sho-shin.com/hoku15.htm

Thanks gents for your replies. Congrats Ray, great result!. Kunifusa and Kunimune, big names from the start, understandable that if any would come with an attribution, would be those. I have a blade here from a somewhat more obscure smith further down the line, attributed to Hirakuni, its actually what started me thinking about this subject. In hand, its obvious why the NBTHK came to the attribution, there was only four by that name and there is enough info about their work. I guess there are specific traits, as more info gets compiled then maybe there may be more specific attributions in the future, hopefully. Perhaps if any one else has a Uda with a name attribution, maybe add it here too

More often than not, when i come across o-suriage/mumei Uda, all that is written is Ko-Uda/Uda school. Was wondering and i know this is not an easy question to answer, but how rare are mumei Uda with attributions to a specific smith name ? Just a thought, sometimes answers can be enlightening.

Hi Mark, everything about this sword you want to stay away from.

Don't forget, there are some excellent swords by chu-jo rated smiths too

Only just noticed this. All i can say Bruce is they get here eventually.

Chris, if you can buy what you like and what you can afford, you will never be disappointed.

A later Shinshinto blade that harks back to Shimada Sukemune, im no expert either by the way

Very nice and interesting sword, makes me start thinking about Kajihei.

Well said Paul.

Not something I can get my head around, as when you take it home it wont have the same sparkle, and the sparkle wears of fast.. Horses for courses.

Back to Pauls original post, are there actually EXPERIENCED collectors that will buy a sword just because its JUYO ? or is this just INEXPERIENCE ?

Swords and provenance so intertwined, like most art. When a sword meets a certain criteria that all experienced collectors know about, then one way or another it has to have papers, otherwise you wont be able to sell it, simple There are swords that don't need papers, either because its blatantly obvious what they are, low price end, or the owner does not care and is happy with his own assessment and its beauty. Sometimes a questionable sword may come along with such a fantastic old koshirae that makes ownership worth while without papers. Newbies need to gain experience and know what something is worth, with or without papers. This is all about personal opinion and what a collector is willing to live with.

Ian/Paul, your discussion about Bungo Takada and Bizen reminds me of a sword I saw online a while ago, and its short write-up. https://www.toukenkomachi.com/index_en_tachi&katana_A090819.html As for papers, most of mine are not papered, because I know what they are

Ive had a few blades stuck in shirasaya. With the tsuka stuck, I just put a towel around the blade and gently tap backwards on the bottom of an heavy square table leg, never fails. Obviously, gentle and handle carefully.