SwordGuyJoe Posted October 6, 2016 Report Posted October 6, 2016 All, If you're like me, you enjoy seeing a blade discussed on the board being posted after polish was done. I engaged Kunitaro San and his service to get these done. The turnaround time on solid silver habaki, shirasaya, and polish for both swords was about four months from shipping to receiving. The two swords that I had polished are as follows: 1. A yoroi-doshi tanto, signed "Morimune" on one side and "Toshihide Kakko" on the other - Meaning that Toshihide did the machiokure work. One bit that is interesting about this is that since it was signed "Toshihide" Horii Sensei's later signature, after he changed his name and had already built up a solid reputation, it would've been far more expensive than had any young smith done it. It says that the owner at the time greatly valued the sword.\ It was discussed here: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/19523-toshihide-kakko and here: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/20055-kantei-help A before Picture: And After: More to come on sword 2 4 Quote
SwordGuyJoe Posted October 6, 2016 Author Report Posted October 6, 2016 The second sword is a MASSIVE shinshinto blade by Doshu Ju Masamitsu. When I first saw the sword, I thought it too was machiokure. After looking at a few examples (http://www.ebay.com/itm/30-MASSIVE-19th-STRONG-SIGNED-SHINSHINTO-KATANA-NTHK-Japanese-Samurai-sword-/272369731793 and http://www.nihontoantiques.com/project/name-sword-fss-655 , you can see that it is just the way he made his swords. I also had shirasaya and habaki made for this sword. The sword in question was discussed here: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/19140-tosu-ju-masa-saku-translation-needed/http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/19247-katana-masamitsu-%E6%AD%A3%E6%BA%80-genji-%E5%85%83%E6%B2%BB-1864-1865-tosa-%E2%80%93-%E2%80%9Cdosh%C5%AB-j%C5%AB-masamitsu%E2%80%9D-%E5%9C%9F%E5%B7%9E%E4%BD%8F%E6%AD%A3%E6%BA%80-ch%C5%AB-saku/and here: http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/19212-masamitsu-%E6%AD%A3%E6%BA%80-genji-%E5%85%83%E6%B2%BB-1864-1865-tosa-%E2%80%93-%E2%80%9Cdosh%C5%AB-j%C5%AB-masamitsu%E2%80%9D-%E5%9C%9F%E5%B7%9E%E4%BD%8F%E6%AD%A3%E6%BA%80/ Before pics: After Pics: 8 Quote
SwordGuyJoe Posted October 6, 2016 Author Report Posted October 6, 2016 Also - Both swords came as trade and my intention is to sell them, so if some one is interested, let me know. Quote
ggil Posted October 6, 2016 Report Posted October 6, 2016 Well done Joe! I especially love the tanto. The shape and heft look like it is a weapon and art. Really nice! I'm sure the pics don't do it justice (not to trouble you for more though, just to say good job). Quote
SwordGuyJoe Posted October 6, 2016 Author Report Posted October 6, 2016 Well done Joe! I especially love the tanto. The shape and heft look like it is a weapon and art. Really nice! I'm sure the pics don't do it justice (not to trouble you for more though, just to say good job). Yeah - my pics leave a lot to be desired to be sure. They're both very nice blades. Quote
Fuuten Posted October 6, 2016 Report Posted October 6, 2016 Yeah - my pics leave a lot to be desired to be sure. They're both very nice blades. Its always amazing to see rusty pieces turned to glory. Even though the hamon was somewhat discernible in the before photo's they came out beautiful. And 4 months for both pieces doesn't seem so bad and worth the wait! Quote
Stephen Posted October 6, 2016 Report Posted October 6, 2016 Id love to have koshirai done that fast Quote
Greg F Posted October 6, 2016 Report Posted October 6, 2016 Congrats Joe and thanks for sharing this with us, its always great to see before and after polish pics. Cheers. Greg Quote
cisco-san Posted October 7, 2016 Report Posted October 7, 2016 Very nice blades!! Kunitaro and his team did again a great job!! 1 Quote
flo06 Posted October 8, 2016 Report Posted October 8, 2016 Great work Joe ! And nice blades, I think you will sell them quickly ! Quote
drbvac Posted October 8, 2016 Report Posted October 8, 2016 Good eye to realize the potential as other Nihonto restored and saved from oblivion = some lucky collector and all who love these objects are better for your efforts. Makes us all more liable to take a chance on a rusty blade. 1 Quote
kunitaro Posted October 14, 2016 Report Posted October 14, 2016 Dear Joe san, Thank you for your post. and sorry for slow reaction, I was writing some stories for posting on NMB. I explained about polishing and about how to view the blade in the post. I explained about 5 minutes staring each section (10-15cm) on the blade. Please check and try.... and let me know how you see. Hope you can see different style of polishing on the blades before you sell. If you have further question, please let me know. http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/12772-sword-polishing-service-in-Japan/?p=211970 Best regards, kunitaro 3 Quote
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