Help Translate Mei

[Whitegryphon70]

Hi, I have just bought 2 swords ,and would greatly appreciate your help in translating the mei. Any and all help is appreciated. Could I also get any info on the tsuba? The first 5 pics are the 1st blade, the last 3 pics are the 2ND blade.

 

Thanks again to everyone, Sean

[Gunome]

Hello,

First one is signed Fujiwara Masakuni 藤原正國. An Edo sword

Regarding the Tsuba, I would said an Heianjo school, but not sure

 

Second one is more hard to decipher maybe kanetsugu ? (戸 X 兼 X 作) It is a 20th century sword.

[SteveM]

Second one is 戸松兼玄作　Tomatsu Kaneharu saku

[Whitegryphon70]

Thank you very much Sebastien and Steve.

 

 

Sean O.

[Whitegryphon70]

Can I get opinions on if these blades are a decent start of my collection or if they are too low quality. And is the 2ND blade traditionally made or not.

 

Thank you for all the help. I am learning a lot from this site and appreciate all of the opinions of its members.

 

Thanks Sean O.

[Stephen]

Id like to see the tsuba off the granite , the background is messing with my field of vision, 

[Whitegryphon70]

Are these better?

[ROKUJURO]

Sean,

it depends on what you want to collect - and why.

If you are interested in SAMURAI culture and Japanese arts and crafts, then a handforged blade like the first could be the way to go. The second blade is probably a mainly mass-produced (partially machine-made) military asset with a certain historical value.

The important part is your study of the subject. By reading here at NMB and good books you should achieve a level of knowledge which enables you to identify what you see. Then you can buy with (a certain) confidence.  

[Whitegryphon70]

How can you tell that it is partially machine made? I am not able to tell and would like to know what to look for. Along with how to tell the difference between water quenched and oil quenched blades.

 

Thank you for the replies they are greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks, Sean O.

[ROKUJURO]

Sean,

nothing supernatural - I have been studying the subject for almost 40 years now and I am still a beginner. You have to look at many good samples, compare, read books and articles, visit expositions and museums, go to club gatherings and - if possible - travel to places where you can expect to see high quality.

It may be a long way, but it is fascinating and rewarding.





 

[Whitegryphon70]

Can I ask how you guys would judge the value of these 2 blades?

[SteveM]

Not much to go on, I'm afraid. It's almost like looking at a grainy photograph of a house and asking, "how much is this house worth"?

 

So much depends on what we can't see - the activity in the hamon, the boshi, the extent of the rust and scratches, the presence (or not) of any flaws, etc... You find similar swords on the auction sites for anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a many thousands of dollars. Sorry to give such an unsatisfying answer. Though there are a few smiths named Masakuni, I think your Masakuni would be the one listed in Hawley's database as MAS405. 

[Whitegryphon70]

Thank you Steve, from what I have seen online prices are all over, I am having trouble trying to figure out what is and isn't a good deal I have seen stamped blades for over 5,000 and what I think are nice traditionally made blades for a lot less and I don't know how people are coming up with the prices they are asking.

[SteveM]

 I am having trouble trying to figure out what is and isn't a good deal

 

If it is any consolation, I have been looking at swords for 20+ years, and I still have trouble figuring out what is and isn't a good deal. It takes a fair bit of effort and study and time to get a grasp on it, but it can be very rewarding. If you haven't yet bought The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords, I highly recommend it. Look up the reviews on Amazon and it will give you an idea of what is included. I especially liked (and agreed with) the 4-star review.

[Whitegryphon70]

Thank you again Steve, I greatly appreciate the time you take to answer my questions.