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Richard Waddell

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Posts posted by Richard Waddell

  1. Thanks everyone for the incouraging words.

     

    Truth is this:

    1) I am extremely happy with the information that I optained at the Shinsa. I watched the master polisher examine the sword and reject it. I also received word from him that he was unable to see I believe it was the folds in the metal. He also said that the sword was able to be repolished in his expert opinion. I talked them into actually running the sword the rest of the way through the Shinsa because I wanted information.

    2) It is a 500 year old sword that needs a polish to have the ability to become fully certified. Anyone want to start a collection for $3K?

    3) I am happy to display it and be proud that a piece of history is now being taken care of for future generations, who may have the funds to polish it then.

    4) Crap, it's a 500 year old sword, who cares it's cool just the way it is. Not many can say that.

     

    Thanks guys you have been a great help.

    • Like 2
  2. Update:

    Just got back from the Chicago Sword Show. Put the sword through Shinsa. The sword was not certified due to the condition of the blade. The layers could not be seen clearly due to the polish currently on the sword.

     

    However, I asked for the sword to go through the remaining steps of Shinsa and everything was confirmed, mei, period, province, date.

     

    Ryokai Kageyoshi

    Late Muromachi Period

    Buzen Province

    1504

     

    Can be restored with a polish, and resubmitted.

     

    Needless to say that I would have loved it to be certified 100% with origami, but I will take what they called 95% and the information written down on the non certified form.

    • Like 1
  3. Update following the 2015 Show of Shows in Louisville this past weekend:

     

    Spoke with Mark Jones and Martin Zalonis at the show. Both were extremely helpful to a newbie. Martin spent about an hour going over the sword and explaining things about the sword. Also, spent time examining the mei, sori, shape, tang, machi, etc. and believes it to be accurate. Mark also offered his opinion on refinishing and asked some very important questions about the need and why i would want it finished. Mark also suggested going to the Chicago show and have a number of polishers to look at it first. Both gentlemen suggested switching the WW2 Fuchi and Tsuba,out for Civilian fittings, which i was able to do at the show. Mark also suggested that I have the sword certified at the Chicago Shinsa.

     

    In conclusion, I will be taking the sword to Chicago for the Shinsa. I want to thank both of them for teaching me and providing valuable information about a family heirloom.

     

    Thanks,

    Richard 

    • Like 1
  4. Does anyone recognize this Tsuba?

    It was sold on a site a while back and I am interested in finding the buyer to possibly get a replica made, as this is the exact crane figure for our karate dojo.

     

    http://www.japaneseswordbooksandtsuba.com/store/holbrook-tsuba/h356-bizen-shoami-tsuba#

    H356.  Iron sukashi tsuba with brass inlaid eyes.  7.8 x 7.9 x .5 cm at the slightly raised rim.  Skip’s tag says, “Bizen Shoami, dancing crane, mid Edo.”  Heavy, dense plate, subtle tekkotsu on the rim, fine carving, excellent condition: what’s not to like?  $650.

     

     

     

    IMG_1473.jpg?itok=gvEtccrM

  5. Hey guys,

    Thanks for the information. I am meeting up with Mark in Louisville in a few weeks to have him look the sword over. I also sent a link to a polisher named Dave Hofhine to ask his opinion on whether the sword could be brought back to life. He said that everything looks good and that the foundation would be able to be fixed. Thanks again for your help.

  6. Martin,

     

    Hi, Richard,

     

    the hamachi has been moved up(machiokuri), therefore it is so crisp and the the ana has moved up, too.

    The nakago is not ubu then. Apart from that the nakago and signature looks good to me.

     

    As for the blade, like the others already said, it is difficult to tell whether this patient can be reanimated. If you seriously want to try to restore this blade with all the costs involved, I would start to polish a small window on the boshi near the tip. This seems to be the part which was abused most.

     

    Best, Martin

    Martin,

    One specific question on this. you mentioned that the sword has undergone machiokuri, which in this case would make the Nakago longer, correct? And a follow up question, this sword has what appears to be a WWII Tsuba and Collar (serial Number 119 i believe), could the sword have been modified to receive the new Tsuba and Collar? The tsuka appears to me to be original and it is definetely not WWII. could the sword blade have been removed from its original fittings, modified, and the WWII fittings added to be used in the war?   i would like to replace the Tsuba and Collar with something that is closer to the actual swords period.

  7. Gentleman,

    Thank you all for your information and advice.

     

    Going to start with the uchiko powder today, to clean the sword, and on the spot that looks like a hamon and go from there.

    I would be interested in meeting up with the gentleman in Toledo, as my daughter is attending school in Cleveland, so I am up in the general area a few times a year.

     

    Thank you again and I will let you know what I find out.

  8. Ken,

    Thank you for the info. You mentioned that it looks more Shinto than muromachi. There are 3 Ryokai Kageyoshi Saku (KAG259-KAG261) listed in Hawley's. The other two that I did not mention earlier are from an earlier period. Do you believe that the sword may actually be from one of the earlier swordsmith with the same mei? Not looking to EVER sale it, just keep it in the family.

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