TheGermanBastard Posted December 14, 2017 Report Posted December 14, 2017 ... this Nobukuni had very high potential in my cheap oppinion: https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/Japanese-katana-sword-shin-shinto-no-kuni-93-c-08941289a8 Also very nice mounts. Unfortunately someone had deeper pockets than I do. 10k includibg oremium and given it was not in good polish is a tough call for a treasure hunt though but maybe I am just too mean. Quote
Fuuten Posted December 14, 2017 Report Posted December 14, 2017 But why would it be shortened if from Shinshinto? I ask because that would obviously not be ideal. Quote
TheGermanBastard Posted December 14, 2017 Author Report Posted December 14, 2017 Because it is not from Shinshinto? Quote
Fuuten Posted December 14, 2017 Report Posted December 14, 2017 Probably, however the link doesn't have the greatest photo's so i couldn't really see the blade. Quote
TheGermanBastard Posted December 14, 2017 Author Report Posted December 14, 2017 No need for the blade ... the Mei tells it all. The description by the auctioneer is complete bogus. That is an apprix 1390 - 1400 Nobukuni and I have no doubt the Mei is good. Still it shows that even a wrongly described item with bad pictures may not be an easy pick up at a bargain price. This one I really would have had an interest in getting put through Shinsa. There are so many nice things out there in this world. This was even one of the nicer ones. If anybody here bought it: Congrats and good luck! Quote
Surfson Posted December 16, 2017 Report Posted December 16, 2017 I bought that one Luis, and now have it home on my sword stand. It's a real beauty and I believe that it is Saemonojo Nobukuni, who did work in Oei and is considered a third generation smith (along with his two brothers). The appraisal was as far off as one can get but it wasn't done by the auctioneer. The family had had it done in the early 80s. Cheers, Bob 2 Quote
Jean Posted December 16, 2017 Report Posted December 16, 2017 Put it to shinsa Bob, it is worth it Quote
Surfson Posted December 16, 2017 Report Posted December 16, 2017 I will definitely do that Jean! I already reserved a slot for it at Chicago - possibly a preamble to sending it to Japan if it passes. The polish is actually very good and 2 Quote
Surfson Posted December 16, 2017 Report Posted December 16, 2017 ooops, pushed post too soon. .....I'm almost tempted just to keep it and enjoy it with NTHK papers if it gets them. 1 Quote
TheGermanBastard Posted December 17, 2017 Author Report Posted December 17, 2017 Bob, either send it in for Hozon and try to go up to Juyo ... or keep it as it is. That thing is the real deal. There is little question this is Saemonojo Nobukuni. A great sword. Also teh mounts are most excellent. Congrats Quote
Vermithrax16 Posted December 17, 2017 Report Posted December 17, 2017 Congrats if it all works out, you have some courage for sure! Quote
Ray Singer Posted December 17, 2017 Report Posted December 17, 2017 I am not sure that I would personally submit a Muromachi period blade for Juyo which has an orikaeshimei. That's not to say it isn't a wonderful blade and might pass at the Tokubetsu Hozon level. At Juyo, consider that there may be ubu examples submitted in the same session. 3 Quote
TheGermanBastard Posted December 17, 2017 Author Report Posted December 17, 2017 Hello Ray, yes you are right that it is a tough call being Suriage / Muromachi. But I believe it has a basic chance given there are no other issues with the blade and that the workmanship keps up to the expectatiomns assoicated with this smith. I would have no doubt it will pass TBH. Chances of failing Juyo are most probably higher than making it but I would like to think it has some chances - again given it is a competive Shinsa and we don't know what elese is in the competition. I did not come in anywhere close with my bidding to win that blade. If I had deeper pockets I would have loved to take a shot. The Kodugu on its own seemed marvelous. Bob, would you ind sharing some images with us please? I notice the Fuchi had been signed. Was the Tsuba also signed? I believed it to be made ensuite by one maker I am happy to see it has been bought by a member as I was just very curious about it. I wish you all the best with it Bob. A blade I wished would be mine. Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted December 17, 2017 Report Posted December 17, 2017 Easily Hozon and TBH should be fine. I would love to see some better pictures too! Quote
J Reid Posted December 17, 2017 Report Posted December 17, 2017 Nthk Shinsa and if it passes- polish it. Will hold market value without high papers, in my opinion. Quote
Surfson Posted December 17, 2017 Report Posted December 17, 2017 Lots of interesting feedback on this one! I am very happy with it so far. As to juyo, I have submitted a few so far and no luck. I have mentioned before my dream of finding a sword in the wild, getting it restored and having it go juyo. I have three over there now in Mishina San's hands and hope springs eternal... As to this one, in favor of it is he worked in early Oei, which, though technically muromachi (the hated term in koto it seems), it really has nanbokucho vibe. It is signed tachi mei and has very nice horimono going for it. I think that it's biggest attribute is that the Nobukuni mon did not make many katana or tachi at all. They seemed to be focused on sunnobi tanto for some reason, and were very good at it. The hada and hamon on this one are both outstanding, in my view, with the latter having a very strong "Rai" feel to it, as it should with Nobukuni emerging from Ryokai who was trained by Rai. Anyway, if it papers in April, I will probably not be able to resist sending it to Japan for the whole dance. I don't have any photos that were not on the website other than this one of the tsuba. It's not world class but is very nice and all of the mounts grace the blade very well. Cheers, Bob Quote
vajo Posted December 17, 2017 Report Posted December 17, 2017 Love that tsuba. It hits full my taste, Quote
TheGermanBastard Posted December 17, 2017 Author Report Posted December 17, 2017 Hello Bob, I have deep respect now for you because judging from your thumb you must be a giant! ... either that Tsuba is smaller than I thought or you have huge hands! Anyway, this is a very nice Tsuba on its own. Lovely! Quote
TheGermanBastard Posted December 17, 2017 Author Report Posted December 17, 2017 I really have no knowledge but think it is late Edo Shoami work. Very nice. Quote
Surfson Posted December 17, 2017 Report Posted December 17, 2017 Haha! Luis, that is the auctioneer's thumb, not mine. The tsuba is roughly 75mm in each direction. Jeremiah, some might call it courage, others stupidity. If it doesn't paper, then I'm afraid it is the latter. If it does paper, then maybe it's good luck. Chris, I like that tsuba too, and since it is en suite with the F-K, it would be Yokoya work if the signature on the fuchi is good. The mei on the fuchi is up on the site - I couldn't find a match in my brief search of Haynes and Wakayama, but the work is very good. Cheers, Bob 1 Quote
TheGermanBastard Posted December 17, 2017 Author Report Posted December 17, 2017 Hello Bob, I really liked what was visible of the Koshirae. Does the Saya also have Kodugu on it? Also please post some images of the blade here. The ones I got from the auction house were pretty poor. Case you submitt it to the NTHK US Shinsa and it fails you shouldn't be afraid that it is no good. I think buying this sword was just a good move and neither stupid not requiring much courage - only the necessary funds. Again congrats and hope you enjoy it. Quote
Surfson Posted December 17, 2017 Report Posted December 17, 2017 I will see if I can get some photos taken during this week in between all of the relatives visiting! Quote
Jussi Ekholm Posted December 20, 2017 Report Posted December 20, 2017 I think you got a great find Robert. I can't see the mei well enough in the auction pic but if I'd have to guess I too would go with Genzaemon and early 1400's. Would be really nice to see more of the sword Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.