Kam A

I received a sword (Nihonto) a couple of weeks ago. It took almost 3 weeks once it hit our shores to get to me. Having dealt with the idiots at Border farce and the lunacy that goes with our current politically driven crap that they regurgitate I have found that the best approach is to let them take their time and it will arrive without issue. Over the last 10 years I have had increasing delays and a number of missing items (sticky fingers) that eventuallyl get returned with some legal pressure I have to fill out their forms regularly and I have never been asked to have the blade authenticated. I might be wrong and something may have changed in the last 2 weeks but I suspect using a broker was the cause of your misfortune as it is the only times I hear of such stories. Like using UPS will result in you owing excessive duties that would otherwise not apply. Kam

Hi Steve (and everyone else) Your comment about the Mizukage is relevant but usually is more to do with Yakiri. Most of the welded nakago I have seen usually have a misty look about 1 - 2inches from the hamachi and sometimes nothing obvious. We can only speculate as it is one tiny photo with no other obvious visual clues. Based on what info is available I am still inclined to go with the idea of re-claimed length based on the small munemachi that is of similar size to the hamachi. The habaki is not an indicator as it may be "this will fit" replacement, either way it does not look right. The nakago does seem at an odd angle but without seeing the full sugata.. If one was to weld a nakago then it would be a major over site to leave something so obvious as a misplaced ana raising suspicions and therefore a futile effort wasting time and skill. In regards to habaki being stuck this is a common occurrence and can be caused from many things including climatic timber shrinkage in the Koiguchi or just a mismatched saya. Too many variables and only one small picture Just a thought Kam

Hi Grey, yes that would be reasonable to assume but then this isnt the first time I have seen this type of thing and I guess that would depend on the togishi and if that was within his skill set. I understand your view Ed but patination and a number of other factors say no to a weld and the surface of the nakago should remain unchanged by human intervention unlike the blade which has seen many polishes. Therefore the surface of the nakago is now "softened" by age and will reflect light differently from the "crisp" lines of the polished blade surface. Kam

Hey Jim Yes we all continue to learn and what I may have felt to be true 5 years ago I may now know more and therefore my opinion and knowledge adjust to reflect this. As a craftsman I think I have continuously adjusted what I feel to be new levels of quality and am never really satisfied with my own work as something will always come along and challenge my perceptions on what I would consider exceptional work. Kam

That Koshirae would be exceptional if restored properly. The samekawa is highly prized expensive and difficult to obtain. I will asume that you will be getting a new habaki and shirasaya made for the freshly polished blade as u would not want to risk housing it in the original (and hopefully restored koshirae). I think this is agreat project. . .I hope you get much pleasure from the process and the results Kam

There was an article on the Usagiya website about a suriage blade that through re-working the mune and hasaki had reclaimed its original length. I had a quick look but I could not find it, Im sure with a bit of a search the article could be located. I suspect that is what may have occurred here with the blade you have presented resulting in the unusual placement of the mekugi ana. Kam

I occasionally get requests for this type of garish type of work and my usual reply is a straight no. Using any material that was taken from a living creature that does not serve a primary practical function is not something that seems sensible and maybe just ostentatious . Yes traditionally it was done on the rare occasion and some may have used things as Tiger tails etc to show status etc but the end result is an over the top Koshirae that served little function than to stroke the ego. Maybe consider one of the many options available (lit in the 100s) that is more responsible to our current environmental times and more in the vein of the enlightened warrior. I realise this post may get some a little ruffled but I have thick skin and I am happy to hear a counter argument. I will also point out that collectors and enthusiasts need to research whom they get work through, I have more re-work coming my way than ever before, mostly poorly done shirasaya and Koshirae work due to amateur or just sloppy craftsmanship often coming from some popular and oddly recommended sources. Unfortunately some of this work also contains some big name blades that have a less than satisfactory polish job that could bring tears to the most cynical hardened collector. . . . and it is all reportedly coming from Japan????. These can not be by professional craftsman. I recently saw a Daisho that had received some online attention. In the flesh I was surprised at how terrible it was (not to mention cost). The Lacquer work appeared as if it was spraypainted (sposed to be ishime). The 2 saya were that bad that the blades would twist and rub as it was removed or inserted. The tsukamaki was uneven, and even had raised sections on the mune and ha sides. The polish was worse than I had seen on most amateur jobs. I dont even know how to describe it but suffice to say the only thing that looked remotely traditional was the poorly done Hadori, otherwise it just had this shiny translucent look. There are so many more examples but you get the idea. In this case you dont always get what you pay for Kam

Alex I feel I have inadvertantly ruffled your feathers. So I will give a friendly reply. . -this (below) Grey Yes for some this is true, depending on if you are collecting for historical context. Lucky for some of us craftsman others collect for other reasons including above mentioned collectors. Kam

Bazza is quite correct. Choices and options are as wide and varied as opinions. I even have a couple of clients that collect Koshirae only (without blade) this also includes having classic koshirae styles made for an existing tsunagi only. . . . Kam

Hi Alex There seems to be a number of differing theorys as to what and why to collect etc. In the instance of Koshirae some people may be very much inclined to buy only "edo period" (ambiguos age) koshirae while there are some that only want pristine quality (difficult to acquire with any age) and are happy to hae modern examples. Some may want an old tattered "original" koshirae and would never dream of repairs or adjustments of any sort. Personally I think Koshirae should be viewed as they were intended. . especially as Koshirae served a function to be replaced once worn out. There is nothing wrong with collecting purchasing koshirae of any age as long as context is taken into account and price reflects craftsmanship. The cost of a new koshirae inc fittings is not cheap, so in this instance taking into account the cost of replacing the tsuba (rarely guaranteed to have been the original intended peice) and then comparing to the cost of having something crafted of simmilar quality. . . this is not a bad deal.

Hi Aogai nuri was highly prized and at one stage quite expensive. The new tsukamaki is reasonably well done. . .do like the turtle menuki as well. Overall while not completely an original (as made) still a nice ensemble and would take little work (from someone that knows what they are doing) to reguvinate the lacquer work and bring it to a feeling of being a completely related and "whole" as opposed to the slightly forced feel that the newer same and ito tend to give it. Just my thoughts while I finish my cup of coffee. Kam

. . . whatever color you like, I realise this isnt the answer you wanted but the question is just as vague. Saya and same needs to be taken into acount as well as whether you wish to pursue a classical or contempory approach and ultimately it comes down to taste. Example of someones taste as an example. . def not my thing but someone thought it was a great idea

Save the fittings and if the blade reveals anything that appeals then shirasaya. My lunch time opinion

Personally I believe it had started its life as a Yari. Tanto and wakizashi conversions are not rare. . but that is just my opinion. As for sizes of yari etc, here is a few old pics of one from my collection after all the rust and pitting was removed (in other words it had a fair bit of steel removed) Nagasa 25cm. Kam

Hey Tony I had a piece of celluloid Same that you mentioned floating around. . .so I attached a pic. Kam