Blazeaglory

Funny I was just reading about Kanemoto in the Connoisseurs book and within the first paragraph it says "swords were known as 'o-wazamono' (very sharp blades) " I have to say this one is definitely sharpest in my collection. Sharper than a modern T10 steel blade I have as well. Lol

Could this tanto possibly be Sue-Nio Kiyosada?

Haha, Yah you're probably right although the Koshirae this is a part of has some quality pieces The fittings are all solid gold and silver, as well as a silver Kozuka for this kogatana.

Just in case it is Japanese, don't clean the tang. It's called a "nakago" and plays a big role in dating the sword. Good luck????

Ahh I see. Thank you! That would be pretty amazing if it was actually forged by him.

Thanks ill check it out but from what I read so far the characters don't look the same Also, I don't know if you or anyone else clicked on photo as It's much clearer and can zoom in, although from here it looks like it's impossible to read. The blade is surprisingly well made and the rust is only surface I'm finding out and is slowly coming off to reveal some clean metal!

Yes very good article and entertaining!

Thanks I'll check him (them) out???????? I was thinking Mino-Senjuin (same school as Kanemoto or no?). I found an almost exact match for length, width, hada, etc... Everything is 99% the same but the other Waki (suriage) is from the Nanbokucho era. So my hopes are high???????? EDIT: After some brief research it looks like this could possibly be a second or later generation Kanemoto? The sanbon-sugi is almost exact to the second generation as well as the description of hamon (not regular "3 tree" pattern like later generations but irregular peaks with low valleys)... Well, who knows but there are many similarities! Thanks for the heads up D

I'm thinking that's where the sign was hung or pasted and the angry reaction of trying to chop it (the sign) down Only other possible scenario would be an attack against someone who was really close to that post and the attacker missed and the result is the "double" hit (initial impact then a second 'skip' but all in same strike) but the second smaller slash seems fairly deep for just a skip Either way very interesting! I've been reading about what followed for some time this morning!

You think maybe they did make them as a way to keep some cash flowing? Or so people could own something made by a famous smith without investing big bucks into a katana? I tend to agree with you. I think I'm just wishful thinking because my Munetsugu kogatana haha????????

Aaaaaand it got me. This one is a troublemaker. After all these years I felt the sharpness of its bite. Not a dull cut but scary sharp! I think I finally found the sword that murdered all those poor fish in that river... All I wanted to do was give it a little choji love!

I just received what looks to be an o-suriage Wakizashi and I thought the same thing as you but upon closer inspection there is actually a hamon down the nakago it is just really faint and almost had disapeared but after careful looking (and looking and looking), I can see the faintest hamon

Did I really translate that bad? Lol I understand that kogatana Mei are a debatable subject but this one came with an unusual Koshirae, plus it has the hollyhock. Really I'm just hoping it has an area or school in the sig Thanks

Ahh yes true. Worst to find out too late after the fact. Saves face I would imagine

Yes i think they were the "folder" of the samurai era. The go to useful blade for daily life. Funny thing is I have a few kogatana and all of them , each in a different stage of rust, can still shave the beard from my face. In the last 100 years I don't think people really treat them with the respect they deserve. They get left in saya for long period of time and maybe overlooked until its too late. Sad too because some of them are made very well with nice hamon. But really sharp and pointy as hell. Time for tetanus shot haha

Love that hamon...

Banksy-san????

I found this for a really good price and thought it was well made and maybe Mino den. Jingane/jihada is still fairly visible with much action and lots of nie in hamon and all over. Very straight lines as well. In person this thing changes colors from steel to blue to black. Also Looks like a recent polish? Looks to be o-suriage but I don't think the bottom Mekugi Ana is the original. Blade length is 18" with an overall length of 26.4". The hamon does trail down into the nakago where I can see some faded old hamon tops, so seems to be suriage but I'm hoping for some opinions because i really don't know. Seems really well made for most part. EDIT:No matter what I do most of my pics are uploading sideways. I think it's my phone. Anyways I put the pics up here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmu2o81d Oh side note. Anyone interested in the original art in my office, it's done with pencil, sharpie marker and finally acrylic paint for the brain. Abstract but detailed considering the medium. Well I hope you enjoy! D

Interesting you say that because I'm kinda on the fence about this tsuba as well. I like the craftsmanship but not for this tanto. I do think it's (possibly) original because what I thought was a lead spacer tested for silver, so whoever made this, or had it made, didn't want any low grade material it seems. I've been examining it for just the reasons you brought up and I also found where the Kozuka fits through the hole, it rests on the inside edge and that edge is worn down fitting the exact shape of the Kozuka. I agree tho that the tsuba seems to be out of place. It keeps me wondering what was going through the person's head when they had it put on. Like what symbolism or meaning it had to them. Side note... The kogatana blade has the AOI or Tokugowa family Mon on it. So maybe the chrysanthimums have something to do with showing loyalty to the shogun? Or demonstrating his samurai past with loyalty to the emperor? Who knows but I'm still 50/50 on its origins as well. And thanks for the heads up about the other Tsuba! I'm always interested in seeing what works or not???? D

Could be silver but I'm leaning towards a higher end Shibuichi. I can see hints of gold in there as well. Compared to actual 99% silver I have it looks very close but in the f/k/k I see slight difference in colors but it looks to be majority silver. Someone put a little thought into the Koshirae The only green/blue discoloration that you usually see with copper or brass fittings isn't on anything but some small areas on the tsuba. The blade is nice but in person up close there is some pitting and minor ware. Looks like the very tip/point was either thrust into something or dropped but didn't break. It just kinda bent/deformed in the tiniest bit down. The hada is there but looks either tight or tired (or both). Looks like it had some polishes in its lifetime! After work later I'll setup an area and take it apart to try and get some detailed pics of the nakago

Everything is as it came. I'm a little hesitant to remove it frm the tsuka but I'll 'carefully' take more pics later. Also I have another thread "3 hole Muromachi" with pics from AOI art. It's got filled holes covering the Mei. Last character is "sada". So I don't know if this is a late Muromachi mass production or maybe something different? Could this be from the Sue-Nio Den? They say there was a "Kiyosada" who signed with a 2 character Mei around that time. The Mekugi Ana is chiseled and over the Mei. Mei also looks and feels worn with the nakago. Maybe top hole was made for shirasaya? Dunno but looks pretty old Stephen, here's a better pic of fittings and tsuba. No signature unfortunately Anyways, thanks for the kind words. This hobby and title as caretaker is amazing! D

Thanks. No matter what I did I couldn't get them upright. Other photos are posting fine.

No I won't be using this to stab anything... although I was considering trying to bring back the Tanto for EDC instead of my folding knife???????? The blade itself is decent condition said to be later Muromachi. Nagasa is about 19cm (7.5 inches roughly). Looks to be Itame Hada somewhat tight with Jinie but looking a tad bit tired. Nie Deki Ko-Gunome Midare hamon Cool thing is the Menuki seem to be gold with the brownish/red paint (or whatever 'finish' they liked to put on gold for some reason back then). The area's where it's rubbing off the gold is nice and shiny. Looks to be a lion dog or similar? Flowers or maybe a turtle with a tail? Menuki on other side. The tsuba is copper with some pretty nice Chrysanthemum carvings. The fuchi and kashira are, what I thought too be silver but I think is Shibuichi. Same with the Kozuka. Family Mon is all over and I think from Kaishu Katsu family (pretty interesting if so) Well may be not thee greatest blade but I really like it and I'll put these pics here for posterity and those who wish to enjoy! D

I feel the same way about certain reference books. The older and thicker the better. I like multiple sources from different era's, if only for the nuances or missed bit of information maybe in a passing sentence, that might not be in modern books. Thanks for the suggesting btw! Looks like a winner ????

I wish I would have known sooner as mine is on its way! Ill browse your other books in the meantime!