Okay, Time To Poll The Group

[Katsujinken]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm here to ask for your help and opinions. :-)

 

I'm currently shopping around for a healthy low-end wakizashi to wear during formal martial arts events (no, I would never cut anything with a nihonto, this is more like buying a very fancy neck tie). That said, in addition to blade health, the overall quality of the koshirae matters to the extent allowed by this price range.

 

Right now, these are my finalists:

 

This one is Hozon, jo-saku/wazamono:

https://www.aoijapan.com/wakizashi-mutsu-kami-kaneyasu-migi-mutsu

 

Blade photos: https://www.dropbox.com/s/k2wfimhmr6b7nlx/Photo%20May%2017%2C%2011%2020%2025%20AM.jpg?dl=0

Kissaki photos: https://www.dropbox.com/s/t5rjgzlxoipl0i9/15853kissaki.jpg?dl=0

Nakago photos: https://www.dropbox.com/s/re07alu1pi67agy/15853nakago.JPG?dl=0

 

Actually Shigetsune:

https://www.aoijapan.com/wakizashi-tango-daijo-fujiwara-tsuneshige

 

Blade photos: https://www.dropbox.com/s/a1iz89znmmgpio5/16722blade.jpg?dl=0

 

Chujo-saku, green papers:

https://www.aoijapan.com/wakizashi-yamato-kami-minamoto-yasumichi-2

 

Hozon, jo-saku/wazamono:

http://www.toukenkomachi.com/index_en_tachi&katana_A181217.html

 

I've already gotten some opinions on each of these in private, so I'll hold off on saying anything else at this time so as not to sway anyone. I'd love to hear what you think, which you prefer and why, etc. Any and all observations are welcome and appreciated. Note that the auction for the first one ends in 5 hours or so... so comment quickly.

 

Thanks!

[vajo]

I would take the first. I like the koshirae and the blade looks fine to me.

[Stephen]

What will you be wearing Michael?  The latter has my vote sofar

[Katsujinken]

What will you be wearing Michael?  The latter has my vote sofar

 

This would be for formal events, so think of a fancy hakama + kimono. This sword would be paired with a daito. 

[Fuuten]

Chujo-saku, green papers:

https://www.aoijapan.com/wakizashi-yamato-kami-minamoto-yasumichi-2

As far as the swords go I think this wakizashi is quite elegant. And they guarantee hozon.

 

I'm not so sure on the first wakizashi, the polish looks weird? Overdone on the fingerstones?

[Vermithrax16]

I like the 1st one, especially the kissaki work. Excellent deal IMO. I vote Mutsu Kami Kaneyasu (Migi Mutsu) but close second is the Masahiro.

 

 

 

[Ken-Hawaii]

Having attended similar formal events, Michael, my vote goes to the last blade, in large part because of the leather battle-wrap. I'm also interested in specifically how you wear the daisho in the obi. My two iaijutsu Sensei have totally-different opinions!

[Katsujinken]

For us, the daito goes between the second and third layer of the obi, and the shoto goes beneath all three (closest to the body).

 

Having attended similar formal events, Michael, my vote goes to the last blade, in large part because of the leather battle-wrap. I'm also interested in specifically how you wear the daisho in the obi. My two iaijutsu Sensei have totally-different opinions!

[Greg F]

I like the bottom one the most and the top one second.

 

Greg

[Vermithrax16]

Any decision Michael?

[Katsujinken]

Not yet. Even though it’s not a “major” sword purchase I’m being pretty hard on myself about making sure this is a blade I can commit to given my intended use and the economics of this price range.

 

So I’m still hunting around a bit. :-)