Local tanto

[Ken-Hawaii]

 

I was just offered this tanto from a local seller, but can't tell much about it other than it has koshi-zori & a large nick in the middle of the ha.

 

Can anyone read the mei? Thanks!

 

Ken

[hxv]

Ken,

 

The kanji are really obscured, but am I seeing Masamune?

 

Regards,

Hoanh

[Lance]

Looks like Masamune.

 

Regards,

Lance

[Stephen]

x3 Masamune

[Ken-Hawaii]

Looks like I will have to drive across the island & check out this blade! More photos when available.

 

Ken

[cabowen]

Actually, most gimei masamune aren't worth a trip across the street...

[Ken-Hawaii]

I'll have to admit that the Masamune tanto I've seen all have very shallow koshi-zori, Chris, which this one obviously does not. But if I can get it for a few hundred bucks, it will make an interesting study piece.

 

Ken

[Lance]

Looks like it's for sale on ebay too?

 

http://m.ebay.com/itm/261314824994

 

Regards,

Lance

[Ken-Hawaii]

Interesting - he didn't mention that when he sent me the photos. Thanks, Lance.

 

Ken

[John A Stuart]

For having a recent polish, I can't see a thing regarding hamon, hada and the like. It's always a nice drive though, isn't it Ken? John

[Henry Wilson]

Actually, most gimei masamune aren't worth a trip across the street...

 

LOL

[Ken-Hawaii]

It's always a nice drive though, isn't it Ken?

 

You've got that right, John! And the seller lives in the one Oahu community that's on a mountain slope - there's one heck of a view! I can see at least two other islands on a clear day when I drive up there.

 

I'll post what hopefully will be better shots of the hamon, boshi, etc. when we meet.

 

Ken

[Dr Fox]

Come on Guys

 

A trip across the street could pay dividends here! Look at it, a sword by Mesa Muni's apprentice 1250AD, 14 years before the signatory was born, now if thats not rare, then what is?

 

Denis.

[Marius]

When I look at the package, habaki seems to be the best part of it.

 

$999 and a reserve? Good luck to the seller.

 

Ken, why would you like to even consider this tanto?

[Ken-Hawaii]

Mariusz, the seller says that he isn't really interested in selling the tanto on eBay, but is looking to see if anyone is interested by the number of watchers. Not sure why he's doing that, but as he says he has more blades to sell, who knows what I might find?

 

I wouldn't offer him more than about $150 for the "recently-polished" tanto, if that, & I'm hoping the blade looks a lot better in-hand than what his photos show. And, hey, I'm semi-retired these days, & so have the time to go wandering vaguely about to see what I can find.

 

Ken

[Marius]

Ken, that does make sense :-)

[runagmc]

Not every gimei sword is a bad sword (I haven't looked closely at this one), so if you have nothing better to do, why not go see it and what else he may have. Couldn't hurt any...

[Ken-Hawaii]

We have a large Japanese population here in Hawaii, & I'm constantly surprised at how many families own a blade or three, tucked carefully away in closets & chests. It's usually the sons or daughters who contact me, rather than the parents, when their folks have passed away & the kids have no need for the Nihonto they've discovered. I also invite them to bring the blades to our monthly sword club meetings to find out more about what they have, & we've gotten quite a few new members as a result.

 

And of course if I see the blades first, I also get first shot at buying them, right? :D Could be why our collection is a bit "eclectic," shall we say.

 

Ken