kusari fundo?

[peter]

Hello all

i wonder if someone could give me any information on this item, kusari fundo? where they actually used as you see this one as i've only seen similar attached to. an hooked axe type weopan also is this one old ?

Peter

[ROKUJURO]

It surely looks like one.

 

There are different types as far as I know. The one in the picture seems to have a relatively short and quite heavy chain, so it might have been made for decoration only.

 

A KUSARI-GAMA in action can be seen in the fight between MIYAMOTO MUSASHI and SHISHIDO BAIKEN (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKqU8wxUAsU).

[peter]

thanks Jean

the length in total is 34 inches. 86.30 cm

Peter

[watsonmil]

Dear Peter,

The type of rust / patina ? displayed on the Kusari is indicative of artificially induced rust. This is not the way 200 or even 50 year old rust developes or worse ... appears to the eye. Also if you look closely at the chain links you will note I think electric welding of the joins rather than forged joins. In my opinion a copy or forgery.

... Ron Watson

[peter]

Thanks Ron,

I have this some years and did keep it in a plastic seeled bag with a little oil in it which has done nothing for it , I'm not sure its so old either , can it be cleaned easily and used as a wall hanger as suggested?

Peter

[watsonmil]

Dear Peter,

Nothing wrong as a wall hanger, ... or decorative piece. In order to give the rust a little ( lot ) better appearance, ... get yourself some 3 in 1 machine oil, ... or some other fine oil like a good gun oil and wipe evey few days with the oil soalked into a piece of flannel cloth. It will take a few weeks of this before you get rid of that dry look. This will make it much more presentable. Hope all goes well.

... Ron Watson

 

PS : USE the same flannel cloth over and over again .... no need to use a fresh piece of cloth each time. DO HOWEVER keep the oil soaked rag in a closed glass or metal container to prevent spontanious combustion danger.

[ROKUJURO]

......did keep it in a plastic sealed bag with a little oil in it which has done nothing for it. I'm not sure it's so old either. Can it be cleaned easily and used as a wall hanger as suggested?.....

Peter,

 

If I had to clean it I would use a steel wire brush (on an angle-grinder which works like hell, or on an electric drill, or the good old manual brush). If it were very easy to remove the rust, a brass wire brush would be good enough. Once the rust is removed, you could use an oil spray like WD 40 (not so good on the wall-paper) or you spray the whole item with clear semi-matt lacquer.

 

Wish you good success!

 

P.S. This is not the way I treat my TSUBA!!