16k

Yes the saya seems the real issue here. The first blade I ever bought was a WW2 blade in a civilian saya. The koiguchi wasn’t large enough, so the guy who had mounted the blade must have forced it in, splitting the top part of the saya. It was a junk saya, but still...

Has anyone of you ever bought a koshirae to put an existing blade in it? Any success?

Probably, yes. Some blades had no yokote, but the shinogi usually went up to the kissaki, so since this isn’t the case, I would assume either over polishing or bad abuse during the war. there isn’t much tapering to the blade and I don’t think it is that old. The shape suggests it might have had an Ō- kissaki at some point so maybe (?) Shinshinto. I’ll let the real experts give their insight.

Don’t know what the pros will tell you, but I don’t think their is much to say in its present state. The Hamon and the blade are genuine, the nakago was altered to fit the new fittings, I don’t see a yokote. The vertical pics don’t really help either. There seems to be a rather deep sori. Can’t say more I’m afraid.

Beat up peg for me too. Somehow, we don’t see much, but I like the look of what I’m seeing so far.

But you have to remember those weren’t named in English first but in old Italian and later in 16th century Spanish and Portuguese. Obviously, all the other languages that followed borrowed from the original which was a mispronunciation in the first place.

If the price is correct, why not. But I recent y saw what I think was a real copper handle but with a wrong saya. The guy wanted $1800 if I remember correctly. For one in original condition, maybe, but for a frankensword, no way, sir!

The same lacs details too, and it seems the in a place of the tsuka, the paint is pealing and revealing a brass material, so unfortunately, fake.

There was also the variant: Cipango.

Splendid Hada, splendid activities, splendid hakikake, one couldn’t ask for more!

It’s a very nice sword, Jae, congratulations. The Hada is beautiful!

Ōgami Ittō could split hair!

That’s a beautiful gift to yourself. You should congratulate yourself for your good tastes. I’ve looked at that one so many times with envy! Congratulations!

What a gruesome story... fascinating! next time I’m building a woodshed, I’ll ask my neighbor if he wants to help !

Wow! Wonder what it di if you inflamed the powder! and isn’t that supposed to be hollyhock, not holy cock?

The system is listed in the first page, really. It’s basically how would you describe your Hamon/Boshi, then go to the relevant pages. If the swordsmith used different types, he’ll be listed in different sections. Again I think it lacks an index where you would know on which pages a particular swordsmith is referenced.

I was going to buy Ed’s Mantetsu before you did (I ended up buying Bruce’s, which will remain as is, but with the addition of a nice tassel). Personally, since the paint, the tsuka ,and even the bend in the blade weren’t original, I was envisioning this as a project piece. Straighten the blade, try to remove the active rust on the kissaki and make the rest look as though it was a Mantetsu just out of arsenal. I would normally not do that but here, the mountings were too far from their original state. I understand the “it’s part of the sword’s history” and usually agree with that, but here, the saya could be a bubba job made in the 80s, so my restoration would have also become part of the sword’s history, just better made. In the end, I guess it’s yours to decide so long as you care for the blade and preserve it for future generations. Who knows, maybe the next owner will put it in a Edo koshirae for Iai and this will become part of the sword’s history too. Preservation of the blade is what matters most I think.

Agree with that. I think that this book only comes handy at the end... if you can use it, because if the sword you’re working on isn’t the typical sword made by the smith, then the book is useless.

That the problem I have with the book. The lack of index. Basically, what you have to do is Kantei the Hamon and Boshi you have in front of you, then go to the book and check those that look like yours. It’s not the easiest way to proceed. It really is a kantei book more than a reference book. Still, great because of the amount of oshigata.

Sure it’s not a Komonjo? seriously, a very, very beautiful sword!

Not so wide open, I can see your knickers!

The story is quite simple. They hit the “0”key one time too many

this is a great story and gesture Cody! you can be proud of your great grandfather, uncle and yourself. I like to see a sword cherished like that! You and your family have all my respect!

The problem isn’t that they’re selling those blades but rather that they’re trying to pass them for antiques. But seriously, those copies become better and better.

Possibly. I’m not sure to be honest. But old shirasaya often have this color.