What Do I Have? Good? Bad? Tanto? Sword?

[lori]

I apologize if this is not the correct category for this post.
I also apologize if I use the incorrect name for any parts.

I recently acquired a knife/sword which I am in disagreement with another family member as to the relative worth of it.

I believe it to be very good while he believes it to be an inexpensive souvenir.

I hope someone here can shed some light on this.

The entire sword/knife measures about 21 inches long.
The "scabbard" alone measures about 15.5 inches while the hilt measures about 5.5 inches.
When out of the scabbard the blade measures about q0 inches long and when the handle is removed it measures about 14 inches.

The are no markings that I can see on the "tang".

The "sepia" (collars) are gold over what appears to be bronze, as is the "habaki" (any gold over the bronze parts test as AT LEAST 14karat, possibly 16 karat gold.

The "kashira" are two turtles (copulating?)

The "tsuba" appear to be bronze inlaid with gold and both sides are signed.

The blade is extremely sharp but upon examination under a loupe there appeared to be a weakly formed "crack" or "fold" in the steel; not at all what I would expect from a finely forged blade.

The scabbard is wood with an outer surface which at first glance looks to be alternating strips of a plastic material, but I am now thinking this material could be lacquer.

If additional pictures are needed, I would gladly add them.

I thank all in advance for any and all help given.

Lori
 

[John A Stuart]

As the sword itself can't be assessed and the tousogu and koshirae can this is the correct place for it. John

[Brian]

It is real and probably a few hundred years old. Fittings are ok, not great, but not terrible. Need pics of the blade. But it is not an inexpensive souvenir.

 

Brian

[lori]

Thank you John and Brian.

 

Here are some pics of the blade; hopefully they are what is needed.

I also have a pic of what I saw as a "crack" or "fold" in the steel.

[paulb]

Lori

Lets deal with one of your first points, this is not a cheap souvenir piece. Baesd on the shape and colour of the nakago I think it could well be a reasonable age. Unfortunately the condition of the blade means you cansee  nothing of the detail of the steel in the images and  Iam a little concerned by the colour which looks as though it may have been in a fire.

Not sure where you are but I think it would be well worth putting this in to the hands of one or moreexperienced collectors/dealers and get their view on it.

I dont want get your hopes up, I doubt it is a national treasure but I think it is worthy of more investigation.

[lori]

Thank you.

 

I have taken additional pics of what you call the "nakago" since learning what it might mean.

and the inside of the handle.

 

Also, would anyone know the name of the technique of the gold of what I think is called the "habaki"?

 

 

[SwordGuyJoe]

It's botan yujyo habaki

 

http://www.cgfinearts.com/service_image.cfm?ID=48

[Kai-Gunto]

The seppas and habaki is made of copper with gold folio.

Otherwise thats lovely fittings , nice turtles.

[Brian]

Thin gold foil over base material. Commonly done, but yours are nice quality. The crack is a forging flaw. Not unheard of, and not critical where yours is situated, as long as not near the cutting edge.

 

Brian

[lori]

My thanks to all have answered so far.

 

There are several questions remaining however.

 

Does the blade appear to be of the same age/era as the other parts?

Does the fact the blade is not signed make it less important?

Can anyone decipher/translate the writing on the tsuba?

What era would this have been crafted in?

 

Again, Thank you for your replies.

[paulb]

1. Unlikely the blade and koshirae are the same age but possible. Older blades were refitted throughout their history. The fact the Mekugi ana (hole in tang has been modified suggests this isnt the first set this blade has seen

2. Always better if signed however the quality of the sword is what determines the value. So do not assume because it isnt signed it doesnt have value.

3.I have no idea

4. Impossible to tell with the blade in this condition. The shape would suggest koto but I think it may be a later copy of an early style (thats just feeling more than anything else) Also think fittings are later than the blade. If I had to guess I would say blade 16th to 17th century koshirae 18th-19th.

[Brian]

I would like to see an overall pic of the whole blade without any fittings.

 

Brian

[lori]

overall blade without fittings:

 

 

[paulb]

I should have asked before, How thick is it?

[Brian]

Can't get my head around what looks like an odd shinogi line. It looks like a yoroi-doshi, but that line is odd.

Maybe a pic from the front (tip) facing the camera to see the shape and where it flares? It's an interesting piece. Tanto. Odd shape.

 

Brian

[lori]

It is incredibly difficult to photograph straight at the point!

This is the best I could do…. the blade at its thickest measures about 5.5 mm thick.

I have also included a pic of the markings on the small knife (I was not aware that it was removable from the scabbard)

An opinion has also been given to the fact that the scabbard and knife appear to be a "marriage" due to the different lengths.

 

 

[lori]

In case you meant width rather than thickness, it measures about 7/8 of an inch at its widest.

[paulb]

Hi Brian

I can see what you mean but I dont think It is a shinogi line its the edge of the ji leading up to the mune, which is extremely steep. I also thought Yoridoshi which is why I asked about the thickness. But isn't thick enough. The overall shape looks early but the nakago doesn't. I am wondering if it is a shinto or even shinshinto revival piece.

I am afraid that until there is some hada and hamon visible the guessing is even more vague than usual

[Brian]

Paul,

I also thought it might not be a shinogi line...but look at the pics of the nakago.

And it isn't just a typical shobu zukuri either. Kind of some hybrid. Nope....I also thought yoroidoshi, but not.

Curious. Think it would polish nicely.

 

Brian