Seeking Comment on this Sword

[mizushima]

I would be grateful for any comments or observations on this sword. This is the only picture I have currently. Thank you.

 

Doug

[pcfarrar]

Looks like a Chinese fake unfortunately.

[Grey Doffin]

I agree; it's a fake.

Grey

[mizushima]

Thank you. For my study, I would be grateful for anything you can share about the visible qualities you see that suggest it to be a fake. I find it difficult to evaluate the blade due to some shadows (on kissaki) and the flash (on hamon) but I am interested in learning what can be seen from this photo to identify as fake.

[mizushima]

I should also mention, in the spirit of the forum guidlines, that I am not looking for comments to be used for commercial gain. I will be looking at this sword in person and am looking to expand my knowledge.

It is available to me in an auction, is purported to carry a signature, and is from a collection of items to be reputable - none of which means squat.

 

Thank you.

[remzy]

As someone once said ... this one was made in China just yesterday.

 

I suggest buying and reading books on Nihontos from online libraries, and then when you are done, read them again

 

Regards

Remy

[Henry Wilson]

The basic shape of the blade suggests it is fake. The shape looks cumbersome and lacks grace. The scabbard does not look very good either and quality is some what lacking.

 

I could be wrong but if you can get pics of the tang (area under handle) then I think we could be more certain.

[Nobody]

Also that could be a reproduction using a broken tip of katana, I think.

[Henry Wilson]

That is an interesting observation Moriyama San and I agree with you, that is, it does look like a broken top of a katana has been fitted as a tanto.

 

Again pictures of the tang would help clarify.

[Grey Doffin]

A broken top of a katana fitted as a tanto in China. The yokote is at the wrong angle. The geometry seems clumsy. The koshirae are classic Chinese fake. I still think this is a fake; no doubt.

Grey

[zuiho]

The yokote is at an angle pointing toward the tip. The kissaki is has no

arc. It is just cut to a point. (both probably done with a grinder)

The entire object looks like it was run over by a truck(flattened).

It is just butt ugly, to boot. Even if it was Japanese, it would be

an example of incompetence. Sunobe. an object in the shape of a

sword but not to be considered as such.

I would, however, commit its looks to memory, and run the

other way when you see such things, no matter what the seller

may say.

 

William G.

[Jean]

My first thought was the same as Moriyama-san's one, broken tip of wakizashi or katana.

 

What I dislike is the yokote (could be done by bad polishing), it looks a bit curved and the mitsugashira is not in line with the mitsukado as was spotted by William but above all, it is the Koshinogisuji which is far from following the fukura that I dislike most.

 

Now, I won't say from such a picture ifl this sword is faked or not.

 

Such a lousy picture in an auction makes me run away. I would not have given even a secong glance to the auction ...

 

Things are clear : Don't waste money on gambling. Unless having the sword in hand and able to study it or able to get all the pictures you want and a full refund money guaranty in case of default not shown in the pictures, FORGET IT!!!

 

 

IMHO, it is not worth more than 10 bucks in all events, genuine or fake

[Martin]

Hi Doug,

 

just have a look at the Top-Links on this page.

There is a link "Fake Swords" ( http://www.nihontokanjipages.com/fake_j ... words.html ) that leads you to a page with lots of information on how to recognize a fake Japanese Sword.

 

best,

[mizushima]

Thank you all for your comments. I have considered all that has been said. My eye is not trained to condsider the possibility of a katana tip mounted asa tanto and I find that very interesting and helpful. If I uncover any more about this, I will of course share it. Thanks again.

 

Doug

[mizushima]

Thank you all for your comments. I have considered all that has been said. My eye is not trained to condsider the possibility of a katana tip mounted asa tanto and I find that very interesting and helpful. If I uncover any more about this, I will of course share it. Thanks again.

 

Doug

[mizushima]

Thank you all for your comments. I have considered all that has been said. My eye is not trained to condsider the possibility of a katana tip mounted asa tanto and I find that very interesting and helpful. If I uncover any more about this, I will of course share it. Thanks again.

 

Doug

[remzy]

The whole mounting look suspicious to me... the "spiked" tsuba, the oddly shaped and overly long habaki and the rectangular saya all lead me to beleive it is a fake, but as someone else said, to be perfectly sure we would need shots from the nakago / tang and closer shot of the hada / metal grain.

If you know how to remove the mekugi / peg but there doesnt seem to be a way to get it out easily... that would be another thing leading me to think its fake.

 

regards,

Remy

[mizushima]

I finally saw this item in person and was surprised at it's size. It was much smaller than I had imagined (as you can see from the pictures), though I am now even more confused at what this is. The nakago does have mei, altough I can't ascribe any meaning to my translation.

 

I have drawn the mei because my pictures are not of highest quality.

I know these symbols as ju kei shi ? ju = 10 kei = system shi = child? Any clarification is much appreciated.

 

The koshirae is wooden.

 

Any ideas? A child's sword? A tourist item? If a chinese fake, of what? Just curious about this strange, small item.

 

Thank you.

 

Pictures Are Here:

http://pictures.sprintpcs.com/share.do?invite=hElrJE2TYkhhQhULa00a&shareName=MMS&messageState=RETRIEVED

 

Drawn mei is attached.

[mizushima]

New pictures attached...

[Henry Wilson]

I am pretty sure it is a fake. The mei seems to be a dead give-away as it and all the other characteristics point towards not being nihonto.

 

I am sure all the other on-line experts will have something to say about it too. :lol:

[Henry Wilson]

If you have a hankering for tanto, this page might be a good reference point.

 

http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/tanto/main.html