Lewis B

Good news, Tanobe sensei has agreed to write the sayagaki.

Its not often an opportunity presents itself to handle a blade by arguably the most famous Japanese swordsmith, Masamune. The owner was Albrecht Von Roretz and he brought this blade along with 60 others from Japan in the late 1800's, after several years spent establishing a modern Western health system during the Meiji period. He had a keen interest in Nihonto which makes this particular Masamune worthy of a hands on viewing. Markus Sesko was supposed to inspect the collection but left for the USA before getting the chance. There are certainly some questions as to whether this is a genuine blade by the Master but given Dr Von Roretz's status, knowledge around the subject etc, its worth giving it a careful look. I will ask if I can take some photos and if possible, view the Nakago.

Excellent timing. There are 5 or 6 publications that are of immediate interest. Thanks for posting

Same ken? Hozon papers, Heian era. Seems likely. Sold again in 2023 for $3,840. Not sure how that compares to the price it sold for several times over in the late noughties. In todays market that doesn't seem like a bad price. https://www.bonhams....4-1185-10th-century/

Senjuin is considered the oldest of the 5 Yamato schools.

Whatever it says it doesn't appear to be chiseled in a traditional manner. Looks more etched, which I assume is a more modern way of marking blades.

I'm very curious to whom Tanobe will attribute the blade. There was a sword that achieved Juyo status a couple of years ago with a very similar jitetsu. The Zufu papers even said it would have been attributed amongst the best of the Soshu Gokaden had it not had a sugata that was more characteristic of early Kamakura. This blade has a similar sugata and is my 2nd Nihonto purchase. I will post more details when Tanobe sensei has written the sayagaki.

Sent you a PM

This is the Norishige you reference. To me the artistic focus is quite different. The DNA is unmistakable though.

I think this is true for the majority of ancient artisanal skills. Increasing governmental control of bladed items is another pressure not mentioned in the article which will have a knock on effect on the demand. Glad I don't live in the UK anymore.

Yes, the crazy hamon is the result of the hardening or Yaki Ire when the blade is tempered. Probably the effect of his clay treatment. Certainly quite unique for the period. The jihada are not comparable to that of Norishige. I had the opportunity to handle a Norishige blade at the last NBTHK-EB meeting. It appeared to be from his earlier phases whilst the one in that Bill Rannow vid is from the end of his career when he focused more on making the Matsukawa hada more of a prominent feature. Personally I prefer his earlier work and this is a great example. I will have the honour to view a Masamune blade on Monday. So excited as there are very few outside Japan.

This is quite an old reference book from the 1970's but if anyone has a copy there is something I would like to check. Thanks Interesting review from an NMB who visited a few years ago. Something to checkout if you happen to be passing through Sakura. http://www.intk-toke...x.php?showtopic=9500

Full name Hasebe Kunishige (長谷部国重) . He is considered to be one of the Masamune Juttetsu.

Hard to ignore Hasebe, if you like crazy Jackson Pollack-esque jihada and hamon.

Very educational. Finally I understand the differences between Itame and Itame/Masame Hada. Would be even more educational if the content provider had included the Gokaden/Smith/Era.

I remember seeing another Compton Masamune 5-6 years ago on Yahoo.jp.

That guy must have missed the memo when the Shogun said no shields on the battlefield.

That was probably by design in attempt to deceive.

For those more familiar with kissaki styles how would you compare these 2 kissaki? Top is blade #1 showing omote side. 2nd is blade #2 from omote and 3rd image is the ura side for blade #2. My untrained eye sees a lot of similarity especially the general direction of flow of the nie in the boshi. It's said the boshi is where the smith really shows his stuff, separating the good from the great. It's often used for attribution as many smiths favour a particular style relative to the Gokuden. Am I right to think the style of these boshi are close enough to suggest they could be from the same school and/or smith. To make it interesting any ideas regarding the attribution for these 2 swords?

I really like how the maker has given each segment a different finish pattern. Such attention to detail. That tsuba must have been a real looker when new.

Just noticed the saya are crazy similar too. Almost like you are reuniting a daisho.

Good call. Not dissimilar to Sam's recent post, although his has a clear boshi with turn back.

Super condition.

Wow the tsuka are almost a matching pair.

Does it have a boshi? If not, or its weak it could be a naginata naoshi. As you suggest the tip does appear to have been reshaped. Did the seller provide any details?