obiwanknabbe Posted August 27, 2013 Report Posted August 27, 2013 Hi folks, First off, sorry about the angle of the picture. The Mei is so big i had to tilt the camera to get the whole thing in the frame and still be close enough to be able see it clearly. Though covered in dried casmoline, the blade is actually in really nice shape and has an attractive gunome hamon. Also, and unless something is tricking me, there are signs of Nie (I see some sparkles at the boarders of the hamon and Ji). This confuses me as there appear to be some stamps along the mune side of the nagako but they are hard to make out. Water quenched showa-to perhaps? I have been trying to use the kanji pages to translate this signature but with little success. I have only been able to discern a few things (i think). The second kanji down looks like Shu which would mean that the one above it is a province. Which province eludes me as it does not appear on the Japanese sword index (perhaps not a common one?). I think the third Kanji is Ju The bottom looks similar to Kore but i dont think that's what it says. The rest are beyond my limited experience at present. Any assistance is appreciated Thanks in advance Kurt Quote
takakage Posted August 27, 2013 Report Posted August 27, 2013 Hi, 尾州住真野正泰 bishu no ju mano masayasu 鍛之 kitau kore ? It is not the first blade of this smith on this board. This one seems good quality blade with gunome midare instead sugu ha. However the kanji of the mei are huge, (usually they are more small) may be this blade could be a nakirishi mei ?????? Quote
obiwanknabbe Posted August 28, 2013 Author Report Posted August 28, 2013 Patrick, Thank you so much! I have not seen that variation of "kore".. Is it some kind of script kanji or just a very stylized inscription? Also, you think this is nakirishi mei? Anyone out there want to weigh in on whether this is worth sending out to be polished? Thanks again! Kurt Quote
cisco-san Posted August 28, 2013 Report Posted August 28, 2013 from J.S. Slough´s book A polish would cost 2000-3000USD ...... Quote
obiwanknabbe Posted August 28, 2013 Author Report Posted August 28, 2013 Thanks for the image cisco-san. So This makes it difficult. Am i correct in concluding that the image to the center has Yasuri mei is most similar to mine, being that the file strokes are completely horizontal and deeper cut? The "kore" is different though. My "kore" is closer to the image listed as Nakirishi mei. Then again, the "Yasu" is different too. I suppose this is why there can be so much debate on authenticating a Mei. Could this blade have been made by a student? Also, the punch mark at the bottom. Is that a telltale clue? Mine has one, and the first two images have them. Ideas on what that is about? Regarding a polish, $2k-3k is the range of cost I am familiar with, but is it worth it? If this smith of my blade is the one being discussed here, then he was rated Cho saku in 1941. The real question is would the polish be a wise investment? Side note, Where can i get a copy of that book? I searched for the author but nothing came up. What is the title? Thanks again folks Kurt Knabbe Quote
obiwanknabbe Posted October 22, 2015 Author Report Posted October 22, 2015 Just wanted to follow up on this old thread. I have finally gotten to the top of my polishers list (after 2 years) and am curious what all of you think about submitting this particular sword for restoration? Kurt K Quote
SwordGuyJoe Posted October 22, 2015 Report Posted October 22, 2015 Depends on what you have into it right now and what you want to do with it when you're done. Given the smith (decent but not extraordinary) you'll be hard pressed to get $3k out of this in polish and new shirasaya. I'm assuming it's of standard length (about 27"). If it's 30"+, it's a slightly different story. So if your desire is to sell it afterwards, you're likely to come in upside-down on the deal. If that was the case, you're better off just keeping it selling as-is. If on the other hand you either have little to nothing into it right now or if you intend to hold the sword for a long (read over five years the way the market seems lately) time, then go nuts! Get it polished and enjoy it for what it is and the experience of restoring a sword. Then there is always the wild card - a guy that just wants a polished sword regardless of potentially coming in upside down on a deal. If that's the case, it's your money and you can invest it how ever you like. . Quote
obiwanknabbe Posted October 23, 2015 Author Report Posted October 23, 2015 Thanks Joe... I only have $400.00 Usd into this sword. I got it on the cheep at a NY antique shop from a guy who had no clue what it really was (to be fair at the time I was only slightly better informed). I know Masayasu is not a top 1% maker though, as noted, this is not his typical work. I think I will go ahead with it. I dont intend to sell it anytime soon. I consider my blades a long term investment. Plus, i get to enjoy the heck out of in the meantime and share the process with all my friends here. Kurt K Quote
SwordGuyJoe Posted October 23, 2015 Report Posted October 23, 2015 Sounds like a good plan Kurt. Enjoy it and share some pics when you get it back. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.