jedimasterham Posted October 10, 2007 Report Posted October 10, 2007 I've got an old sword which seems to be genuine according to what many people say, and I'm trying to figure out more about it.. Actually, I've got 2 swords, but I'm focused on just one for right now.. on the tang it reads o gasa wara (uji) naga mune saku.. This otherwise stands for Nagamune of the Ogasawara clan from what I've been told.. Anyway, since I can't load any picture of the sword and tang, I'll attach it to my post so you can check it out.. Please email back or post something if you know something.. Cheers, Oh yeah, here's some measurements.. Some might be off, it's my first time doing this.. Mei: O Gasa (uji) Wara Naga Mune Sake -basically means: Made by Nagamune of the Ogasawara lineage Nagasa: 63 cm Sakihaba: 2.25 cm Motohaba: 3.1 cm Nakago: 12c cm Sori: 1 cm Kissaki: 4 cm Since I've no idea how to post pictures on here, maybe someone could email me and then I'll send them my pictures and they post them on here.. Thanks, jedimasterham@yahoo.com Quote
Jean Posted October 10, 2007 Report Posted October 10, 2007 Some more pictures sorry I clicked on the "Submit" button instead of "Add attachment" (Last night I had an Oenology diner ... :lol: :lol: ) Quote
Jean Posted October 10, 2007 Report Posted October 10, 2007 I blundered once more (I wiwh I coul go back to bed) - Sorry guys - last one Quote
Brian Posted October 10, 2007 Report Posted October 10, 2007 Hi (I assume it is Tom? I am definitely not calling you jedimaster :D ) Not much I can say about this one, so instead I'll give it a bump for the more knowlegeable members. Usually these kind of aoi mon brass mounts are associated with Meiji period touristy pieces, but this blade looks like it might be a reasonable one. Occasionally you find older blades remounted like this during the Meiji period. I have a Nobuyoshi tanto in matching mounts that is definitely older. Afraid I can't tell more than this, so hopefully someone will come to the rescue. Nice looking blade though. Brian Edit to add: If you take a look at the swordsmith database linked above the forum, there are a few Nagamune signing this way from Musashi province. One of these will be your guy. Looks Shinshinto, and the most likely one is the Tenpo era guy (1830-1843) which would almost tie in with the mounts. Likely the one marked NAG351, he signed Ogasawara uji Nagamune saku Quote
jedimasterham Posted October 10, 2007 Author Report Posted October 10, 2007 Hi (I assume it is Tom? I am definitely not calling you jedimaster :D ) Usually these kind of aoi mon brass mounts are associated with Meiji period touristy pieces, but this blade looks like it might be a reasonable one. Occasionally you find older blades remounted like this during the Meiji period. I have a Nobuyoshi tanto in matching mounts that is definitely older. Edit to add: If you take a look at the swordsmith database linked above the forum, there are a few Nagamune signing this way from Musashi province. One of these will be your guy. Looks Shinshinto, and the most likely one is the Tenpo era guy (1830-1843) which would almost tie in with the mounts. Likely the one marked NAG351, he signed Ogasawara uji Nagamune saku Yeah, I'm Tom, not jedimasterham! Some people said they thought it looked like it was refitted.. I'm wondering though, I found 2 hits for Ogasawara Nagamune online.. One was a lord of fukashi castle from 1400s-1500s and the other was a swordsmith added to the wazamono list thing.. so it's getting closer.. NAG351 Nagamune Musashi no kuni (Tenpo) NAG351 (10pts) ogasawara uji nagamune saku Yeah, thats what it says! looks like thats him right?? Do you have any more information on him??? Quote
nagamaki - Franco Posted October 10, 2007 Report Posted October 10, 2007 Is that saya 'brass' or lacquer work? If it is lacquer work, is it possible to see better close up images? ty Quote
jedimasterham Posted October 10, 2007 Author Report Posted October 10, 2007 Is that saya 'brass' or lacquer work? If it is lacquer work, is it possible to see better close up images? ty looks like it could be lacquer work.. So you want some closer images of the tang then?? Quote
Jon Fury Posted October 10, 2007 Report Posted October 10, 2007 I believe more pics of Tom's swords can be seen here.... http://swordforumbugei.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5462 Quote
nagamaki - Franco Posted October 10, 2007 Report Posted October 10, 2007 I believe more pics of Tom's swords can be seen here....http://swordforumbugei.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5462 all set, ty. Quote
Brian Posted October 11, 2007 Report Posted October 11, 2007 Those appear to be very much pressed brass mounts, and not laquerwork. Very typical of the Meiji period mounts. Both appear to be genuine Japanese swords, probably traditionally made. The other one in the pics looks to have lots of dried grease and some pitting. Kind of typical flashy antique touristy export market stuff if that makes sense. Made to export to the growing Western market that we flooding into Japan. The blade quality varies considerably, but the one you show does appear to be not junk. Brian Quote
Jacques Posted October 11, 2007 Report Posted October 11, 2007 Hi, Ogasawara Nagamune and his son worked in the middle of the shinto time (shodai 1673-1681, nidai 1716-1736). They lived in Musashi and worked in Yamato tradition. source: les sabres shinto (Serge DEGORE) Quote
Brian Posted October 12, 2007 Report Posted October 12, 2007 Jacques, There is also an Ogasawara Nagamune (Musashi) signing exactly this way from the 1830's. See NAG351 as mentioned above. With the mounts as is, without another ana, I suspect this date would fit better with this blade, but can't be certain. Brian Quote
Jacques Posted October 12, 2007 Report Posted October 12, 2007 Brian, that's possible, if it's a shinto smith it is the shodai, The nidai used another kanji "mune" 宗 Quote
jedimasterham Posted October 13, 2007 Author Report Posted October 13, 2007 Brian, that's possible, if it's a shinto smith it is the shodai, The nidai used another kanji "mune" 宗 what does shodai mean exactly?? It's very confusing with all the Japanese words.. Quote
Jacques Posted October 13, 2007 Report Posted October 13, 2007 Hi, Dai (代) means generation; sho (初) means first Shodai means the first, nidai (二代) the second, sandai (三代) the third etc... Quote
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