Rhizosphere

Nice tsuba.

But, here is my idea. The blade has a Buddhist prayer carved into it. So if I go Buddhist themes. Buddist themed stuff is pretty common. Shouldn't be hard to match tsuna with some fittings. I have habaki already. Its a little beat up. But it something i could change later on.

Had 2 more good photos I wanted to share. Showcasing the purple and blue reflections the steel puts off at the right angle. I am using a pure white daylight LED and have indirect sunlight coming in from my windows. Unfortuantely I had to reduce photo size and make a copy to post on the forumn. So quality got reduced.

Yeah, that was the idea. A long term project that i dont plan to really recoupe the cost of

It wasn't described to be that bad as long as you find all the fittings yourself. Then just have the tsuka made to fit them and the sword. I was going to find tsuba slightly bigger than the tang and have copper fittings placed to fit it snug.

I want to get some fittings that match a theme and maybe have a tsuka made opposed to sending it off for re-certification.

Very interesting. Thank you. Looks like I have a rabbit hole to dive in.

All I find are the 2 reposting of MY sword. I love the mystery! I may have to. Maybe after I get my 2nd blade so I am not without.

Still trying to find a correlating nijimei from Tensho period to any Masahiro

Maybe Google translate missed something. And that would.make less sense because itame grain suguha masame hamon on a sword that long was kind out by that time. And Soshu Den Museum says he would have signed Tsunahiro at that time. So maybe their reference collection isn't vast enough to make that judgement. Or it was blade intentionally made to imitate his predecesors techniques.

Yes! That is it. The stains don't look as bad in person. Those photos were taken in a light that made them look as bad as possible. Hopefully they will polish out with proper uchiko. Which I will let someone else handle who is more experienced.

I made a purchase! I made a 3.5 hr drive and viewed multiple swords in hand at a member of this forum's home. I ended up purchasing a 26 inch Daito papered by the NTHK-NPO in 2019 to 7th generation Masahiro 1573-1590. But the blade has the potential to be much older. According to Soshu Den Museum records. Masahiro did not sign as such after 1553. When he took the name, Tsunahiro. The form, length, and grain patterns and activity do not really match later Soshu works, but earlier. The nijimei signature is, as well, non existent in Tensho Masahiro swords. It has a partially polished out Buddhist prayer horimono. A previous owner (whom sold this blade on this forum 5 years ago). Thought the horimono might have been engraved in late muromachi period. I am under the impression that the NTHK-NPO may have classified it as a 7th gen. Potentially due to having lack of reference for anything older. And chose a "safe" designation. I checked Soshu Museum's records. The mei, as well as the forging patterns they desrcribe. Do line this sword up better with 2nd generation Masahiro (1393-early 1400s). Or something made in the 1400s. I would think the Japanese NBTHK would have a far better reference collection to nail down the date better. But also, I not doubting the NTHK's expertise. Just curious why a Masahiro blade would get made in such an old style, with a Mei that hasn't been used for generations, in Tensho? Maybe special ordered that way? There are a few ware up front. Which would knock it down a peg or two. Some signs of use. And it has a few smudges that may polish out. But overall, I am very happy with it. Late 1500s or late 1300s. It's is a very nice work. And a great first blade *i may add some more photos if interested.

Looks like he has 3 buyers in the comments and I no longer have Facebook unfortunately.

And the repaired Koshirae isn't a big issue? You said it is common? The Tsuba is probably original, correct? Or period correct at least?

I am also confused because the certification says Ki-Mihara which operated in the mid 1300s but lists tje blade as early Edo.

Should this be of high concern? And are you able to tell the period in which the Tsuba was made?

So. Should this be a concern? Are you able to tell the period the Tsuba is from?

The saya would also have a sageo, correct? The silk wrapping? I see the kurigata needs repair. Already found a similar one for sale if i wanted to repair it.

That would cost a brother, what? Another $1500?

I think for an intro blade it is a fair imperfection. Especially with the Koshirae.

I got videos of the kissaki. What do you think? I can only share photos. They said its just hard to see but looks good.

Honestly. I just want to own a nihonto that is not ugly and is longer than a tanto. It being cerrtified is really my main qualifier.

I would be ok with an older polish. And am still open to a wakizashi as well. Shirasaya is exceptable. But I am also considering saving more and paying more. But then again. It may be helpful to just buy something at my current price range. Study it. Then consider selling it and moving up kate. Should i be too hurt by the fact the blade mentioned above mat be modifed? The koshirae is almost selling it for me. Waiting on my photos from seller. They may be out for the holiday.