First purchases for comment - two wakizashi part 2

[Niall]

...following on from the first post.

 

The second wakizashi blade is also in very average condition.  It measures 57 cms long and has a width of 2.5 cms.  There is no writing on either side of the tang.  The blade fits the saya very well.

 

Again, respectfully seeking any comment or observation on both wakizashi.  In a perfect world I'd have both professionally polished - I'm one to do things the right way and understand that means from $2000 + per blade.  I don't see myself getting this performed unless the blades were worth it.

 

I'm across care and maintenance of the swords and have oiled both.

 

Anyway, thank you very much for reading.

 

Kind regards, 

 

Niall

[ChrisW]

I don't think I've seen yasurime (file marks) quite so pronounced on a nakago before. On second look, I am not sure those are file marks at all as I do see actual markings under them. So very odd!

[Shugyosha]

Hi Niall,

 

Welcome to NMB. In terms of overall shape despite the discolouration, I think this one is in better condition than the other one - the first blade looks like it has had the point re-shaped. My feeling is that this is a later blade than the first and I'd say shinto with again maybe with some Mino influence based on hamon and the file marks on the tang. The tang might have had some after-sales work done on it as it looks a little roughly shaped and the file marks seem a little variable in shape and depth and these points are normally addressed with some care by the smith.

 

The boshi looks like it might be ichimai meaning that the hardened edge takes up all of the kissaki and might be a kantei point as it is, whilst not exactly rare, a little out of the ordinary.

 

As regards getting them polished, speaking from the head it probably doesn't make financial sense to do so as you would not recover the money laid out, but they're your babies and there is a Japanese qualified polisher working in Oz so you could at least get them looked at. I suspect the second blade would be the one to have done as the shape of the point on the first one might not leave enough hardened edge to work with.

 

You could try a little WD40 to loosen the habaki on the first blade, leave it for 24 hours and see if it makes a difference. I don't think it will stain the blade but give it a good wipe over with something soft once you have the habaki off.

 

Hope that gives you something to go on and that you enjoy your new swords. You'll surely get some more informed comments in a while.

 

Best,

John

[Brian]

Both are real, and if the prices were low you did ok.
This one has had a little acid treatment to bring out the hamon (bad idea) but looks relatively healthy. I would use some uchiko on it (not for in-polish blades though) and keep it very lightly oiled.
Welcome to the rabbit hole

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Niall,

You would be doing yourself a huge favor if you didn't get either sword polished now.  If you decide to study and collect Japanese swords and if one or the other of these swords is deemed worthy of the time and expense of polish and if at that point you decide that this is the sword you want to make the effort on, then have it polished.  Right now you don't know enough to make an informed decision.  Take some time to learn before you start throwing money at a project that might not make sense.  Polish does nothing to preserve the sword; a light coat of oil does that.  Go slow Grasshopper.

Here is a care and handling brochure you should read: http://nbthk-ab.org/cleaning-maintenance.php

Best,  Grey

[DoTanuki yokai]

Hi,

Im not an expert but i would say this was once a katana.

Its Osuriage what means it was shortned to a point where the real nakago (tang) is gone. Some other opinions on this ?

I think the fittings are nice and would like to see more pictures of them.

[Niall]

As per the first post, thank you all very much for your welcome and comments - it's amazing to tap into the wealth of knowledge and experience from all corners of the world which has shed a great deal of light on these two swords for me more than I've been able to deduce since I've had them for the last 4 weeks.

 

I never considered that this could have been a shortened katana, or that the file markings were more than a little different from the norm (though I did think they were messy in comparison with pics of other tangs).  I've attached some more pics for further reference.

 

I've also provided a few more pics of both the kissaki and the fittings.  I had a google of ichimai and am pretty sure I understand what you mean, Shugyosha.  With regard to the fittings, the pics make them look a little more faded than they actually are.  Landscape scene of thatched-roof farmhouse.  Quite appropriate as we stayed in one in Shirakawa-go at the start of the year.

 

Happy to declare the price I paid: $700 AUD for the one in the shirasaya and $1000 for the other.  Regardless of whether fair or folly, I'm happy with them both.  I'm incredulous and respectful of the potential age and history, the skill in how they are made; and further that it's tactile.

 

In full agreeance re-polishing.  

 

Thank you all again with the comments!  My wife is enjoying making fun of my new found passion (laughs every time she see's me looking at them or reading about it all), but at least I've cooled off on the motorbikes, cars and whiskey-collection side of things for the time being : )