Your opinion on a recent purchases

[KORSH]

Hi everyone.

 

Just got my recent purchase delivered. Just wanted to know your opinion on this blade (rarity, quality and worth).

 

Mei: KIKU ECHIZEN (NO) KAMI MINAMOTO RAI NOBUYOSHI.

 

I hope the images are good enough.

 

Thank you for your comments.

 

Alex

[KORSH]

Anyone? Would be happy for any Info you can give me on this.

 

Regards

 

Alex

[Jean]

Alex,

 

It looks fine, probably machi okuri, but nothing can be said from the pictures of the blade itself as nothing can be seen from them (neither the hada nor the hamon).

 

What are you looking for exactly: Info on the smith, on its work?

 

NOBUYOSHI GEN-ROKU 1688 OSAKA SHINTO

 

3rd generation/chu saku

 

His work is not mentioned as particularly rare

[KORSH]

Hi Jean.

 

Thank you for the first feedback. I just tried to make better photos. Please tell me if you can see more.

When I saw this blade, it was love from the first site... If you take it in your hands, it feels just magnificent. Extremely well balanced blade...

 

The blade was forged about 1680.

As many members here have much more experience then me, it would be great to get some more opinions on this blade.

 

Blade:

- quality of the blade structure ?

- overall beauty? (I know its is something personal and still... Is the Hamon well done, or do you see any impurity)

- I really like the work of 3rd gen. Nobuyoshi. As far as I know is he the best smith in the family. Is Nobuyoshi overall a known (top) smith. Heard a lot of different opinion on this topic...

 

Tsuba, Fuchi, Kashirae (all are original Edo period):

- what do you think about the detail and quality of this work

- rarity ?

 

I am not up to date about the current market price situation. What do Nobuyashi work cost today (just need a price range on blades like this one) and what would you say this particular sword is worth?

 

Thanks a million!

 

Alex

[KORSH]

Tsuba/Fuchi/Menuki/Kashirae

[paulb]

Hi Alex,

I am not trying to answer on Jean's behalf but if you would like another opinion I have put a few thoughts below.

You said the most important thing, which is that you saw it and loved it. You then decided that it was worth whatever you paid for it. Only you can determine whether it represents good value.

From your images:

the blade looks to have a very pleasant shape. The hi certainly add to the elegance of the work. The hamon looks well executed with activity in it. I cannot see too much detail in the hada but it looks to be tight and there are no obvious faults/errors.

I dont know this Smiths work but it looks to a a competent and attractive Shinto blade.

 

I am not a student of fittings so will leave it to others to comment as to the quality of the components. I think they are in the style that was popular when the sword was made. From a purely personal subjective point of view I do not like them, they are far too bright and "Loud" for my own taste (but then again anything wich isnt black and with iron fittings usually are ) but there are many who enjoy that style of work.

Regarding price to be honest I have no idea how this smith compares to other Shinto workers but you have bought a good looking sword in a koshirae which is either newly assembled or kept in very good condition. So I think you haver done well and should enjoy your sword.

[KORSH]

Hi Paul.

 

Thanks for your opinion and YES, I am thankful for anyone who has any thoughts on this one.

 

By the way, can't wait to hold your Blade in my hands Paul...

 

Alex

[paulb]

I hope you like it as much as you do this one although it is very different. Also please remember it isnt mine I am just the delivery method used by the seller

What was it about this particular sword that grabbed your imagination? I am always curious as to what features strike someone.

on the 15th of this month it will be the 4th anniversary of the arrival of one of my favourite swords. I have looked at it often and for long periods of time in the intervening months. When I take it from the saya it still makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up and I have exactly the same sense of excitement as I did on the first day I saw it. Telling you why would be very difficult and take a very long time.

I hope you gain as much enjoyment from this work.

Best Regards

Paul

[KORSH]

Yes, I hope so to. Anyway you will be the first one to know :lol:

 

It is really hard to say and I guess it was more of a feeling then a rational thought. A good fiend of mine (archeologist) always says, that the kissaki is the face of the blade. Well I looked an this face and it was so cute, that I just could not resist...

Alex

[Jean]

Paul answered perfectly Alex, good blade, tight itame, hataraki in the Hamon. Good Purchase.

 

Now the price, I can't tell you as it depends on the country market. In France, it will no be very high as the market is so narrow, perhaps 3/4 K€ (without the koshirae).

 

I let kodogu people discuss the Koshirae. F/K seem to be Mino school if not repros

 

Edit to add: The 3rd generation is the lesser valued in the Hawley, only 15pts, which means average smith.

 

First generation is the best one, then seco nd Generation:

 

NOBUYOSHI 1st SHO-HO 1644 YAMASHIRO NOB 591 JO-SAKU/JUYO

NOBUYOSHI 2nd EN-PO 1673 YAMASHIRO NOB 592 JO-SAKU

[Jacques]

Hi,

 

As far as I know is he the best smith in the family. Is Nobuyoshi overall a known (top) smith

 

Fujishiro ranked him as Chu-jo saku and says this smith is the best ot the three generations. Chu-jo is not a top rank just a little above average. Jo saku is the beginning of high rank.

 

About your sword itself, (sorry for my frankness) but it is impossible to say something based on "poor" pictures. To evaluate a sword, you need having it in hands.

[Kai-Gunto]

Dont like the tsuka ,it looks like it was poorly rewrapped.

[drbvac]

What makes you feel that way >It seems pretty tight and even along the length -

[Kai-Gunto]

It looks tight ,but not done correct , the knots looks too big ang clumsy.

[Toryu2020]

Alex -

 

The sword is good-looking and is certainly a much better start than some of the purchases we sometimes see here. A real assessment should be done in hand as has been said.

 

For the Koshirae it is eye-catching and indeed looks good on the sword rack. Inspired by a famous set that belonged to the Taiko Toyotomi Hideyoshi it has been copied many times. We would need closer examination to say for sure but it appears the saya is rather new, the gold stripes not reaching the koiguchi suggest very recent factory made work. The fittings are nice enough, not top-tier but not the worst grade either. The mantis and grasses theme is also an oft-copied one. The colors of shakudo and gold seem to match well the overall package.

 

The tsuba looks like it might have been re-patinated at some point, suggested by the black spots on the seppa-dai, but again this may be your photos.

 

The worst part of the koshirae really is the wrap - I would be very surprised if it was period work - the knots appear too clumsy and the "Hishi" the diamonds that form the grip are not at all uniform. If it looks like that but is still "very tight" I would think it was a very recent re-wrap myself.

 

Not a disaster by any means and certainly a piece we can learn from by comparison. Much of this study is learning the Japanese aesthetic, learning to see as they do and appreciating the best workmanship and expression. But this is a hobby afterall what do they know, in the end collect what you love!

-t (the other Thomas. Tom actually...)

 

The above is my opinion, the advice is often repeated by others more learned than I.

[KORSH]

Hi

 

It is fantastic that people can see these things from a photo...

 

The wrapping is very poor. Actually the wrapping, the tsuka and the saya are of very poor quality. In October I will give the sword for new Tsuka, wrapping and saya. I have a waki that matches this sword well and fittings, so that I will make a daisho set out of them...

 

Alex

[Tcat]

The blade looks extremely nice from the pictures! Definately has some character to it and looks to be very clean. The fittings are not my thing but thats not important.