Suriage Katana By Kamakura Kunimune ?

[Sly]

Hi all.

I recently bought a suriage katana nagasa 68,5 cm. The nakago has four mekugi ana (!?)
It is in a really bad shape. The hamon is not visible any more due to the scratches. I'm thinking of asking the advice of a polisher to know if there is anything to save in this blade...

The nakago has a tachi type mei, which I read as "Kunimune", but I am not sure.

Could it be a kamakura blade regarding its features on the photos ?

 

Thanks in advance for your comments guys !

[b.hennick]

Is this shobuzukuri? I see no evidence of a yokote line.

[Sly]

Hard to say Barry...But I didn't see any so far on either side. Could a yokote disapear due to multiple polishing ?

[Jamie]

I think it's been sanded or something similar.

[Ray Singer]

Hi Sly,

 

    While offhand it does not look like a good mei for Saburo Kunimune, it looks like an interesting piece and it is certainly possible that this is Nambokucho or earlier. Given the abuse, deep scratches, hakobore etc... it is especially important that any polisher that works on the sword is a skillful one, to avoid making a bad situation worse and risking the sword not surviving its next polish. Please let us know if you need any help making contact with someone who can have the sword evaluated by (and potentially restored by) a licensed togishi.

 

Best regards,

Ray 

[Sly]

Thanks Ray for the advice.

It's always difficult to know for non-accurate collectors like me if a blade is worth the price of a traditionnal polishing .

I use to go through Paul Martin in Tokyo for different services (restoration, shinsas). I will certainly commission him for finding a togishi for that blade.

[Ray Singer]

Paul Martin is a great choice. Good luck and let us know how it goes after evaluation. 

 

Thanks Ray for the advice.

It's always difficult to know for non-accurate collectors like me if a blade is worth the price of a traditionnal polishing .

I use to go through Paul Martin in Tokyo for different services (restoration, shinsas). I will certainly commission him for finding a togishi for that blade.

[SwordGuyJoe]

I second Paul. He has two swords of mine right now.

[Gunome]

Hello

 

I read mori mune and not kunimune, but may I do not see all the "kuni" kanji stokes.

This sword is in very bad condition. IMHO it would be a gamble to send it to a polisher.

[John A Stuart]

There is a yokote Barry, just about gone to the bad treatment. John

[nagamaki - Franco]

Hello,

 

This in my mind fits the description of what lifeless steel looks like.