Did I screw up or what happened?

[Drago]

Hi,

 

(unfortunately I can't provide any pictures since I don't have a camera right now)

 

I was just cleaning my sword and noticed something really odd. Last time I cleaned my sword there was that polisher "signature" under the habaki (those thin black lines on the shinogi-ji). But when I removed the habaki this time it was just gone... However, there was a small visible amount of oil and some black smudges as if the signature had just "washed" away.

 

Please don't tell me I screwd up and destroyed something that lasted for almost 70 years... What ahppened???

[John A Stuart]

If they washed away then they weren't real, no loss. John

[Drago]

What do you mean by "not real"?

 

I always thought they were just painted... And those black smudges (that weren't there before) couldn't be rubbed away, so it must have soaked in oil for the last three month and only then got washed away...

 

(btw. It's a Nagamitsu blade with the original first polish.)

[John A Stuart]

They are made by a migakibo (burnishing needle) and are more or less etched into the steel. Somtimes there are the same on the mune by the kissaki. John

[Drago]

Ah I see. Phew, I'm really relieved now. I was really shaking in fear here.

 

Thanks.