ancientnoob

Most polishers charge at least $100US per inch, so you are looking at closer to $3000 just for the polish. Yea, my internet searching and the few folks I spoke to confirm the huge figures. Has anyone realized this hobby is not contusive to the average middle class collector? We are talking figures akin to a used car. A life long study, for a lifelong investment. I might have to piecemeal this over the next couple of years. Nathan M.

That's incredible, this just seems entirely cost prohibitive. I can't speak of the quality of existing fittings as I have nothing to compare them too. I'm not really into flashy. At this point I would skip the polish and go for the Koshirae. Nathan M. PS: @$1500 I am still hell'a in the good, that makes me happy. In 50 years when my son goes to sell it, it might be at a value where I wouldn't feel inclined to haunt him.

I see. That will cost you at least twice the value of your sword. What's the value of the sword in your opinion?

I would prefer one set that would cover all of the above. I favor practical over decorative. I do not plan on spending $10000 on antique what not for it. Sure I would like that but this collector does not have it. Nathan M.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a place (studio?) to have new "clothes" made for this sword. Preferably from high quality modern materials? I would like to redress the piece so it may sit functional (more so) in my home. Any thoughts? Nathan M.

Well said! What really gets me about antique Japanese swords is that it may look like a dog, sound like a dog, smell like a dog, then it must be a dog, but come to find out its not. Its not even a cat, its a monkey! Sooo much to learn, here. Nathan Miller

Jean, Admittedly I had to use the spoiler, I saw no difference in example #2 and my specimen. You for sure know better than I. I am still I clover to when, where and who. I suppose I have no choice but have the experts look at it in hand. It's very fustrating to look at two swords that appear exactly the same and be told they are different. Then to google more examples and believe they are same and am told they are noticeably different. I fail to understand, don't get me wrong, I believe you. For someone who is an analytical chemist and makes a living telling apart minute differences it's a double kick in the chops. I certainly appreciate you guys time and effort. Nathan

I don't know if this accounts for anything but I figured I would post this. Please don't shank me I am new. Nathan M.

Drum roll.... Here are some new photos....have at it folks. I hope these work, if not let me know. Thanks all for your help. Nathan M.

Thank you for your time. Cast copy confirmed. Much appreciated. Nathan M.

@All First and foremost thank you for your time and efforts. I must admit this extremely difficult for me to ID from scratch. The sword did come with some books. The titles I own are... The Book of the Sword Token Kenkyu Kai The Samurai Sword A handbook by John M. Yumoto The Arts of the Japanese Sword by B.W. Robinson Japanese Art Signatures By James Self and Nobuko Hirose I also have Shinto Bengi Oshigata W.M. Hawley and Kazan Sato The Japanese Sword I will definitely have to get the sword out of my SDB and take some serious photos. If it is not Kamakura period that is cool with me...as long it doesn't say "Made in China" I'm cool. (no offense to the Chinese folks) In a few days when I have my new photos I will also present new measurements, according to the rubric provided in one of the texts. At this point I am interested in the what, when and who. Thanks all for baring with me. I try and never let my hopes cloud my judgement. Admittedly upon until a few weeks ago I didn't know what period was what, I also have no plans to sell the specimen so their is no commercial interest in what period the specimen is from. All I know is the 6 character text on the website matched the 6 character text on the side of the sword (in words) I cannot speak for style. Again thanks all. Nathan M.

Nathan M.

Me again... I was curious you guys got me really thinking. I went back to website... http://nihontoclub.com/smiths/SUK163 Where I found the signature that was on the left side of the blade. I know you guys said it does not match. I agree it does not match the two character mei that is on the rubbing posted (助包) but it does match the the six character mei (備前國住助包) also listed for this smith. Am I missing something here? Workmanship and style : at the bottom, says small signature. Please educate me... I thank everyone for their time, patients and expertise. I am still new! Nathan M.

I really appreciate your efforts Mr. Stuart. I'm still going bonkers looking for folks with opinions. Now I have to take better pictures, and I am back at the drawing board. Now I don't now if I even measured the thing correctly. Bonkers I tell you, bonkers. Your the Man! Nathan M.

@ Jean Understood, after looking at quite a few photos, I realize that my photos suck for lack of a better term. I will begin experimenting with new photos and they will be posted within a few days. Thank you all for your help. Nathan M.

@Chris, Its hard for me to say Yay or Nay, the polish is old and the details are fairly difficult to see. I welcome your opinion and take your analysis with great authority. Previously it was discussed that this sword maybe 2nd or third generation. Based on the Mei I would suspect second? Do you have any idea what it might be? The "devices" look smokey like the drawing but not nearly as pronounced, admittedly the actual blade image is small and when I save and magnify it its blurry. Thank you so much for your help, and I appreciate any other information you can provide. Like I said, its mine the deal is done and now I want to show it to everyone and learn as much as I can about it. Nathan M. Amazing drawings. Do you have website link or a book title? I am rapidly acquiring sources.

@ John, Hey I know you! I have, the gentleman was under the weather, and I have largely been tied up with work, and pretty much DO THIS in my free time. We planning to meet at my home here in CT so he can take a good look at this thing. We will try to aim for the week after next. I will give him another jingle and confirm. When we spoke, we thought this might be a better idea then me traveling into NYC with the specimen. He thinks its looks quite promising. Good to see you here too! Nathan M.

I picked up Kazan Sato's book and tried to match what I saw to the photos (not so cut and dry) I came up with... chu- kissaki tip ko-mokume a small version of #3 metal pattern not sure which boshi looks like #3 not 100% on that. hamon looks like choji #4 more pics. Thanks, Nathan M.

Is that inconsistent with the mei? BIZEN KUNI JU SUKEKANE When I punched in to the link...I got Koan era? Is it possible the sword is in an exceptional state of preservation? 1185 -1333 AD Kamakura and Muromachi 1337-1543 AD. Is there overlap or scholarly disagreement on this? I would assume the ura mei was made at a later date KUNITSUGU. I was also under the impression that because this sword was worn blade side down and the smith's mei faces outward it places it in the time of the Tachi (kodachi) which is Kamakura. If it is Muromachi I might have to go back to the drawing board on this one. Nathan M.

Hi I was wondering if someone can make out the mei on my Tsuba. It is later furniture that came on my Kamakura Period Kodachi. Nathan M.

The pictures...Thanks... Nathan M.

I have found the research of a Japanese sword is a daunting task for the English speaking layman. I studied Japanese as an elective when I was in college as an elective and took part in an student exchange program about 10 years ago. The Japanese I retained has helped me very little. I am seriously struggling with the retention of the sword's anatomy, (please bare with me.) In a nutshell with a mixture of cash and trade (I collect ancient coins) purchased an antique Japanese sword from an aging college of mine who felt the sword needed to be appreciated for another lifetime. I have showed the sword to couple of folks with various levels of Nihonto knowledge, and everyone that has commented thought the sword was at least mildly interesting. The gentleman I got the sword from told me to show it too as many people as I can, "they will all think it's awesome," he says. the sword was surrendered to Allied forces and there is a small sticker whose ink is all but completely warn off. So I have posted this piece on several "sword message boards" with little response, with one gentleman giving me good care advice and the contact of a local expert. I took up the challenge to show the sword to as many folks as possible and get as many opinions and learn as much about the piece as possible. So here I am! After aggressively researching the sword and having a heck of a time I was able to come up with this... The signature reads... (Zai Mei) 備前國住助包 BIZEN KUNI JU SUKEKANE Then a Family Name? KUNITSUGU (Ura Mei) Reference: Hawley SUK #163 and TK #309 I also read that this Smith is rated FUJISHIRO JOJO SAKO, I was told is good. The swords dates to the Kamakura Period - Koan Era AD 1278 - 1288. Ichimonji school Fukuoka I did find this link on the web... http://nihontoclub.com/smiths/SUK163 The specs are.... Total length 29 1/2" approx 75cm Overall blade length 26 3/4" approx 68cm Cutting edge 21" approx 53.5cm The local expert I showed the photos too had no doubt the sword was old in the extreme, but thought the furniture was between 150-250 years old. The gentleman I got it from thought the furniture was from the mid 1500's. The expert did tell me to forget about the furniture, "all the money was in the blade." He suspected that the Tsuba (guard) based on the photo was a cast copy. (Common) I could not immediately find a casting seam. (a diagnostic I use for determining fake cast ancient coins.) The gentleman I bought it from and I both did not immediately realize the guard was signed, but it is. Maybe that can help determine the time, person and place of manufacture. From what I under stand the blade is fairly rare as far as Nihontos go. It is a Ko-dachi. (Small Tachi), made for only a few years during the middle to late Kamakura period. I am entertaining any and all opinions on the sword....Thanks for any help or further information that can be provided. I urge folks to be critical, if its junk I want to know it, if its not I want to know it, but in the end I will keep it and the deal is done, and I am happy to own something like this. Nathan M.