ChrisW Posted November 17, 2018 Report Posted November 17, 2018 Hey all, This is a wakizashi I've had for some time now in terms of my collecting career (my second nihonto) and I thought I'd share it. Its a recently restored (or so I suspect) example with a signature I am unable to translate. It features a phoenix and flower motif on the fuchi/menuki/kashira and related flower motif on the tsuba. Overall blade edge length is a little over 12 inches. The hamon is rather weak due to the poor state of polish and honestly, I've no idea if it warrants such treatment. Opinions are welcome! I did attempt to dust the signature with an inert powder in an attempt to bring it out a bit more to make it easier to read. Even if the blade is nothing special, someone went to a lot of work to make the mountings nice and I appreciate the overall presentation! ~Chris P.S. I apologize for the topsy-turvy pictures, I wrestled with my camera to get the right orientation and upon uploading them here, I find that they're oriented differently anyways. Very frustrating! Quote
ChrisW Posted November 17, 2018 Author Report Posted November 17, 2018 Its maddening that most of the pictures are upside down! Quote
SteveM Posted November 17, 2018 Report Posted November 17, 2018 守正 Morimasa Probably late-ish 1600s ("kanbun shinto"). Enjoy it as it is. edit: I think you are right about the saya...it must be a modern repro. And the tsuba looks a bit funky (I'm guessing it is cast iron?). Ray skin looks new. 1 Quote
ChrisW Posted November 17, 2018 Author Report Posted November 17, 2018 The tsuba is restored I think, it does have spots where the age shows; on the inside of the uh.. slot(?) where the tang goes through and there are a few spots where pitting isn't hidden by whatever treatment was used on the side that faces the tsuka. As a whole, the restoration was well-done I think. Yes, one can tell its modern, but that just means it was well cared-for by the previous owner I'd say. Its just a shame they didn't also have it looked at by a polisher, but I am guessing that such a thing was out of their price range. I definitely agree, the ray skin is very clean and new-looking. I'd guess the restoration was done in the last ten years or so. I've had this piece for about three years now. Quote
ROKUJURO Posted November 18, 2018 Report Posted November 18, 2018 Chris,it looks like a blade from the province KAGA, in case you want to follow its provenience and authenticity. The exact length (NAGASA) would be of interest to see if it is less than 30,3 cm (then a TANTO) or more than that (= WAKIZASHI). Quote
ChrisW Posted November 19, 2018 Author Report Posted November 19, 2018 The nagasa is just a little over 13 inches long. So it looks to firmly be of wakizashi length. Quote
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