Mei Help, Yoshimitsu Mashup :)

[Salvatori Moretto]

Hello and thank you all in advance

Need some help and honest opinions.

Just picked up this blade and was told the mei reads yoshimitsu, it does appear to do so, but any idea which one from what you see?

I plan on having it polished very soon and having the saya restored (THAT SAME" IS BEAUTIFUL) and then finishing the mounts according to how well it polishes.

Thanks again everyone!
Cheers,
Sal

[Stephen]

dont know if i see Yoshi   might be Masamitsu?

[Grey Doffin]

Looks like Yoshimitsu 吉光 to me; no idea which Yoshimitsu.  Make sure you send it to a properly trained polisher and ask him if he thinks it is worth the expense.

Grey

[tokashikibob]

Sal,  Glad to see I'm not the only rusty project collector!   Good luck!

Best Regards,

  Bob

[nagamaki - Franco]

Sal,

 

To my eyes would guess heat damage, plus shintetsu. Being no expert look forward to hearing/learning what the polisher says?

 

While I do not recall seeing more recent results generally speaking keep in mind that in past shinsa here in the U.S. it was not uncommon for over a 60% pink slip rate. And those blades seem to stay in circulation. As the fortune cookie says, don't mistake temptation for opportunity. 

[Jean]

Sal,

 

And I would add to Franco's words, don't mistake opportunity with good deal.

 

The koshirae is a mismatch with the blade. You easily can see that a koshirae which needs 5 seppa to be adjusted to the blade is a mismatch.

 

The close up of the kissaki shows at the level of the yokote something which could look as an umegane.

 

This kissaki needs to be reshaped. You will need a new tsuka if the sheath is Ok, just to avoid the 5 sepas. If the sheath does not fit, forget it.

 

So, polishing the blade, let's say 1500$, shirasaya 450$, tsuka+same+ito 400$, fittings for the saya+same mending: 400$.

 

Total, roughly 2750/3000$. Not sure this sword is worth it (it is a wakizashi)

 

Ths one is better and cheaper:

 

http://www.aoijapan.com/wakizashi-echizen-kami-minamoto-rai-nobuyoshi

[Ray Singer]

I share Jean's concern about the viability of restoring this sword. It seems to be largely composed of loose hada with numerous kitae ware (at least from what can be seen in the photo). Very tired, of poor quality or both.

 

Best regards,

[Salvatori Moretto]

Well for a katana length project blade at 27.5 inches, that I was hoping to learn more from, I think it will suit my needs If it polishes all the better of coarse

As far as the tsuka I knew it was a mismatch and of poorer quality to begin with, as the same with the overly rusted tsuba. I make my own tsuka and stock samegawa and ito so I have no out of pocket expense there unless I decided to do something special koshirae wise if it polishes out.

I'm just super excited, if this one turns out ok it might be the first one I plan to keep for myself, if not, one to save from further destruction and pass along for other beginner collectors to learn from.

Thanks everyone! If my polisher thinks this one is worth restoration than I'll update this thread with photos and start a new thread for it as more work gets done.

Thanks again for all the good advice and feedback!
Cheers,

Sal