Ray Singer

To my eyes, $1,600 is not an unreasonable price. It would be helpful to see photos of the entire sword and koshirae, rather just the closeups you have provided. From what I can see it is a reasonably nice wakizashi in generally intact handachi koshirae. The tsuka looks to be in good condition and the tsukamaki does not need to be redone. The tsuba is done in katakiri-bori. The saya has some losses to the lacquer which will need to be addressed, however if there isn't damage to the saya towards the kojiri (the parts we cannot see in your photos) then it should be restorable. Looks like the blade is purporting to be a Bizen Sukesada, a group of smiths who generally signed with a nagamei (long signature). Some of the gunk we see on the blade in your photos may come off with pure alcohol. It would be good to start there and see if a new polish is even needed. Best regards, Ray

Thanks Steve. Here is a closeup of the nakago jiri where the mei fragment can be seen below Dotanuki. At this point after having taken the sword home and studied for several hours I am becoming very confident that it is Dotanuki work, and am overall extremely pleased with the find. The partial character may be the top of Fuji.

Outstanding, thank you Grey. Best regards, Ray

Would appreciate any thoughts on this mei. There is a trace of an additional kanji after 'Dotanuki'. I really should have learned by now to keep my Fujishiro with me when I travel, but here I am again having an unexpected encounter with an interesting sword and hope that someone can help to place this with a specific smith from the Dotanuki group. Kind regards, Ray

As often as I have visited the Sho-shin website over the years I did not realize it was the same sword from their journal. The idea of a sword donated to a temple did not occur to me. For such pieces, was it more common for them to be mounted in tachi koshirae, or did the koshirae simply match the time period? Best regards, Ray

It appears that the intended auction starting price is ¥280,000 rather than ¥1,400,000. http://www.sword-auction.jp/en/content/as15041-%E7%9F%AD%E5%88%80%EF%BC%9A%E7%A7%80%E6%98%8E%E4%BD%9C%EF%BC%88%E5%A0%80%E4%BA%95%E4%BF%8A%E7%A7%80%EF%BC%89%E4%B8%89%E7%AC%A0-tanto-hideaki-sakuhorii-tishihidemikasa Best regards, Ray

Sounds right, thanks Darcy. Best regards, Ray

Hi Barry, that does make sense as far as the gendai examples which came to mind (removal prior to surrender). My impression with the Tadatsuna was that inscription removal was quite a bit older, at least prior to the 20th century. Best, Ray

Over the years I have seen a number of swords with valid mei (and some dates) which have clearly had additional inscriptions removed. I recall seeing this on several Gassan Sadakatsu recently, along with the Awataguchi Tadatsuna below. Was it common for special order blades to have the additional inscription removed prior to their sale by the owner or family? Alternatively, were they removed more frequently by their new owners? Obviously today this is seen as a more desirable trait to collectors, but am curious to know how this was handled in the past. http://www.aoijapan.com/katana-awataguchi-ikkanshi-tadatsuna-hori-dosaku Best regards, Ray

Bump. The Masayuki and Masatsugu are still available. The Masatsugu is a beautiful, flawless sword. Anyone interested, please email raymondsinger@gmail.com. Best regards, Ray

That's great, thank you Ford. I will go from there... Take care, Ray

Any help with this signature, and thoughts on who the artist was, would be appreciated. This was found at a local antique show over the weekend and is under consideration for a koshirae project. Best regards, Ray

Interesting, I actually had the same thought when I saw the aforementioned Etchu Norishige with hakobore and was surprised I have never seen the approach taken. I would love to see this gold repair if you are able to provide photos at some point. Best regards, Ray

Appreciated, thanks Darcy. Best regards, Ray

I received a likely candidate of 豊後守来国義. Best regards, Ray

Viewing a very well made wakizashi. The sword is signed Bungo (no) Kami Rai (suriage). The owner tells me he has Tokubetsu Kicho at home, so it is a valid mei for someone, however I cannot locate a smith with this partial mei. And suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Best regards, Ray

This weekend I will be helping a friend with the sale of a number of swords and fittings at the Miami Beach Antique Show at the convention center. I will be at booth 4006 if any members would like to stop by. In addition to the pieces at his booth there are a number of other swords and kodogu scattered throughout this large show. Another NMB member also loaned a wonderful Juyo So-den Bizen that I will have with me. Look forward to meeting any members who will be in the area and can drop by. Best regards, Ray Singer

Certainly appears to be osuriage. That is a very unnatural patina. I am referring especially to the sabi - giwa. The patination (and perhaps the osuriage itself) may be very recently done. Best regards, Ray

I took that to be the owners name. I maybe wrong, but I cannot locate a smith using that name. Perhaps there was a bit more information lost in the suriage. Best regards, Ray

Hi Grey, please see below: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/6632-a-humble-request-for-translation-help/ 因藩騎士建部半右エ門源政信 Kishi Takebe Han’emon Minamoto Masanobu 見龍子壽幸 Kenruishi Toshiyuki (Yuki partially cut off) Tenpo Roku X (alt. for Nen?) Hachi Gatsu http://nihontoclub.com/smiths/TOS389 Best regards, Ray

I greatly regret selling this one. It was a beautifully made gendaito by Sa Nobumitsu with an exceptionally nice nambokucho style sugata with o-kissaki. Hopefully it's in good hands today. Best regards, Ray

Like you, I love Ko-Aoe and am always interested in hearing about one for sale. It's funny, I am doubtless the only one who wrote to Sumie-san asking if I could purchase the sword below. Regardless of the damage, being an authentic piece with an associated mei I thought I would be a nice study piece to own and one worth preserving. Sadly, not for sale. http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/Sueyuki1.html Best regards, Ray

Thanks Jean, payment completed today by Bank Wire. Again, appreciate everyone's feedback. Best regards, Ray

This has been very helpful, thank you all for the feedback. Best regards, Ray

Simply use the penny to scrape off the raised and active rust. Focus only on the rust itself and avoid the clear areas. Best regards, Ray