Matsunoki

Evening Alex. This may be a dumb thing to say but, could it be that in the lower of the two Tadakuni we are looking at a nakago that has had a minor machi-okuri (maybe to remove a chipped ha machi - an inch or so) but has remained ubu and using the original mekugi ana? The yasurimei stop way short of the machi in comparison to the one above and somehow as a result the mekugi looks too far down the nakago. That would account for the apparent hamon continuation. Does that make any sense at all? To my mind there are several things that can confuse us (well, maybe just me!) re where hamon ends….machi okuri, Hadori polish, requenching , photography techniques etc. I sometimes wonder if we can believe what we think we can see. Best. Colin

Hi Evan The wood looks very much like boxwood……but I’m not entirely sure it’s Japanese…..although as you say it could be folk art/amateur work. Usually the bears fur would be carved “all over” and things like the underside of the feet would be fully carved as well.

I’ve just found these two old original photos amongst some stuff. If they are of interest to anyone let me know and I’ll try to get better images. All the best. Colin.

Hi Lee. Welcome. I’m a fellow uk resident and also belong to a “well known uk organisation”. This forum really is superb. There are many experienced and knowledgeable members who, in my experience, are happy to help and guide us. Don’t be afraid to jump in. Enjoy. Best. Colin

I’ve been on the forum a lot in last two weeks. The dehydration that came with my food poisoning caused gout in both feet so I’ve been chairbound nursing some ******** sore big toes and using the forum as diversion therapy. Thus had to watch the booze intake but a bottle of Shiraz and a large glass is now heading my way. As for buying…..I have that chronic disease anyway but that only hurts the wallet not the feet🙂 Cheers Alex, have a blurred evening.

Thanks Alex, that is very kind of you. Interesting…..very similar shape…maybe mine has a bit more sori towards the kissaki. The big differences are that mine has a much higher shinogi and a far narrower mune. What that tells me I’m not sure🙂 . Shame we can’t see the true hamon in the sword….reminds me how much I detest Hadori polish. Mine is in far worse polish but at least you can see what the basic hamon is (in hand). I would not have seen this sword….I don’t follow any Japanese websites. Maybe I should!

Evening Alex I’d love to get all my swords polished…..but how? Don’t want to send swords all around the world and encounter the problems that seem to proliferate nowadays. (I’ve had my share of problems with carriers, border force et al) Only one (as far as I know) respected polisher in the UK and I’m on his 2 yr waiting list with 2 swords. I can live with swords in poorer polish as long as I like them as a “complete unmolested package”. I would always prefer a slightly tired polish in original koshirae than the same blade in shirasaya. To be honest, there is less to worry about if it’s a little bit rough ….I’ve got an Ishido school Katana and some nice Gendai/Shinsakuto in mint polish and shirasaya and they make me nervous as hell🙂 On this sword I’ve changed my mind several times….naginata vs Wak……you can argue it both ways……and we may never be certain…. ….but I’ve at last learned to be comfortable with uncertainty!🙂….especially as I am still recovering from nearly dying in hospital with severe food poisoning! That makes you think a bit. PS - keep away from Chopstix chicken noodles!!!!!! Best. Colin

Afternoon Alex. You make it sound so easy!!!!! I will freely admit to being thoroughly confused most of the time when attempting any form of “kantei”. I’ve been away from swords for over 30 years and what I learned first time round has been long forgotten…..and was probably wrong anyway as the level of knowledge in the uk back then was very shaky….no internet…just Hawley, Yumoto, Ogasawara and Robinson plus a few books in Japanese. We did have the Token (of which I am a member) but attending meetings in London were (and still are) difficult living where I do plus it was a bit “exclusive” back then. Sadly the condition of this sword and the absence of a Mei makes it rather daunting for me. My best shot was late Muromachi Mino den. I see from the replies that I have been lucky enough to receive that people with far far greater expertise than me have some conflicting opinions and that at least reassures me that I’m not a totally lost cause! I’m also hampered by a dodgy short term memory especially for names which would include smiths, periods, schools and even the gokaden! That’s not an excuse, sadly it’s a fact. And so, accepting my limitations, I will continue to try and buy swords (not just blades) that I like (irrespective of who may or may not have made them) ………enjoy them, preserve them …….and come begging to this amazing forum and the generous people like you for help when I hit the brick wall! That is my way of collecting……and it’s the most fun I’ve had for a long time! Thank you again for your assistance and time. all the best. Colin.

Thank you Manuel. All the best. Colin

This date is from a large “Kinnoto” style katana that I will post in full in the next day or so on the “Nihonto” forum. However can you help me with the date please?…..embarrassed to say I’m struggling. I’ve got Genji, month and day but what are the other kanji? Is the one with four strokes forming a square another way of saying 4? very grateful for all the help I get on this Forum. many thanks. Colin

Hi Jean, the sword does have an intact boshi with kaeri….you can just about see it in the image of the kissaki area. However (and I’m probably wrong) I thought some of the early nagamaki/naginata were actually made in this sugata rather than the more “normal” naginata form? Hi Thomas. Thanks for the tip but I use my old iPad (don’t have any other cameras) and it doesn’t have a flash! ….getting a bit left behind by tech sadly. Hi Kirill, thanks for your thoughts. I’m leaning towards Waki as well……but still can’t quite reconcile the strength that the hamon disappears into the nakago with. It doesn’t look machiokuri so we can’t blame that. Greatly appreciate your help.

Hi Alex. Thanks for looking. Nagasa 38cm but it’s a lot heavier/meatier than most “normal” shinogi zukuri wakizashi of the same length. I’ve tried everything to get better images…….but what you see is the best I can do sadly. Bizarrely the images of hada and hamon are a bit better than what you see with naked eye!! All the best. Colin

ALL OPINIONS SOUGHT! Many thanks in advance I was attracted to this wakizashi by the nice overall and untouched iron koshirae and from images I thought I was buying an ubu mumei shobu zukuri wakizashi. However looking more closely I believe it could possibly (or not!) be a suriage koto nagamaki on account of the hamon clearly and strongly disappearing off down the nakago …..and the overall sugata. I have tried to image the salient features but the polish is old and worn - The nakago has a deep black patina and is considerably thicker than the blade so if suriage it was done some time ago Hamon runs into nakago with no variation…..hataraki not visible…..worn polish Very high shinogi and very narrow mune Dark steel with a rough dirty look and irregular gunome hamon Coarse hada a mixture of mokume and itame. Some mokume burls grouped in 3s Happy to make an idiot of myself…..maybe Mino den late Muromachi? What do you think? All the best Colin

Hi Jesse i think monkeys have always been significant in Japanese folklore. In very early times they were regarded as messengers of the Gods and I think the Tokugawa Shogunate (Ieyasu?) designated them as a deity but I can’t remember what for. Then they became popular as “street entertainers” with their human trainer but conversely at other times were viewed as representing the “shifty” or unpleasant side of humans! In the UK we have a saying “crafty as a van load of monkeys”……maybe there is something similar in Japan? Whatever…..the design allows the craftsman to admirably show off his carving skills.

Can we tell by looking at the hitsu-ana? The kozuka is usually located on the back of the saya with the kogai facing outwards? ….or have I got that round my neck? Thus on the two above the omote would be the “birds” as the ana for the kozuka is usually wider……I think🙂

Have a look at this website and search for “tsuba”. There are several very flashy mixed metal pieces….. most of which I owned a while ago! He is an excellent dealer. Also has some very impressive Ken which are more art than sword. https://steveslyjapaneseart.com/

Bruce….you’re not alone there. The UK is fast becoming a borderless over-populated lawless shambles where the majority don’t give a damn and hardly anyone does their job properly. I’d better stop there but I feel I’ve got that off my chest!!! All the best. Colin

PS…..meant to say don’t oil or clean the tang…..just leave it alone and keep it dry.

Your sword is actually a wakizashi…..it’s too short for a katana. It also appears unsigned. Being realistic, an unsigned wakizashi is not high on most collectors lists unless it’s something special and from the images it is difficult to tell. Others with more knowledge than me will hopefully comment. Overall it is in neglected condition and to restore the whole package….blade and mounts…would be pretty expensive plus in Sweden I’m not sure how easily you would find reliable restorers. That could mean sending it to USA or Japan which adds more to the costs and usually involves lengthy waits. Add to that the current problem many of us have in actually sending swords around the world with carriers and airlines refusing to handle them, customs staff impounding swords etc. I think your best bet is to preserve what you have. Keeping the blade dry and lightly oiled to prevent further rust is the most important thing. Don’t leave it dripping in oil- a light film is best. Stabilise any of the mounts that need it…..spilt saya or tsuka can be carefully glued if necessary etc. Please don’t be tempted to try do it yourself restoration to the blade. That requires a very experienced specialist and it’s easy to cause serious damage to both the blade and it’s value! Do you intend to collect or is this a one off possession? Just my opinion! All the best. colin

Samurai katana (??length??) in Han-dachi mounts which are similar to Tachi mounts but worn as a katana (or wakizashi)

Drew, sorry that you are facing this health challenge, I hope the degeneration progresses slowly. I feel you should answer a simple question…”will collecting give me pleasure that outweighs the frustration?”. Sometimes I think it’s best to look for reasons to do things rather than not do them. You don’t have to acquire loads of pieces….maybe just a few that you really like. Sometimes even one lovely thing is enough. I speak from a position of experience (not with MD)……..Plus I’ve just emerged from a near death experience in hospital with severe food poisoning……made me even more determined to squeeze as much as possible out of life. I wish you well. Colin. Ps stay away from takeaway chicken noodles.

Dale…..many thanks indeed. I learn something new every day. Trouble is I can’t remember what it was🙂. Many moons ago I had a collection of Namban tsuba….mostly intricate dragon designs….and was amazed at what detail was achieved. Back then in the UK they were regarded as one step up from rubbish but I liked them. Thanks again. All the best. Colin.

Interesting thread….got me thinking. Please educate me …….if it was cast wouldn’t it shatter when hammered to resize the nakago ana or insert the copper spacers (sorry…can’t remember the correct name)? This one has been well hammered and I thought cast iron shattered very easily. Thanks in advance. Apologies if it’s a dumb question.

Hi Jack, welcome to the “club” In addition to the excellent advise above I would suggest giving yourself time to figure out exactly what your preferences are. The subject of tsuba is wide ranging…..do you like iron tsuba, just sukashi tsuba or maybe soft/mixed metal tsuba. Flashy and magnificent Meiji period art tsuba……it goes on…… Likewise fuchi/kashira. Once you know what really appeals….and you will find out in time…….you can concentrate on your chosen subject. Buy things you really like and you’ll have a massively enjoyable time. Enjoy. Colin.

Hi John Some lovely tsuba in that link. I love the one with fish. Trouble is lots of the “tribute” output is damned near as good as the real thing. Nightmare!……but ultimately does it really matter if the quality is “right”?….maybe financially …but usually all of these good mixed metal pieces sell simply on their design and quality irrespective of Mei don’t they? Difficult to believe they were made by human hand sometimes. In this “advanced” day and age we will never see anything close to these being made again…..except for Ford of course!!