Hey guys anyone ever see this type of koshirae before, I had asked for translation help...

[Yuradneprov]

I asked for translation help on a kogatana that came with this koshirae and still yet to be translated. Also quite interested on what type of koshirae this is because it is very unusual and seems well made. Feel free to weigh in.

[Ken-Hawaii]

Yura, I'm not sure of the hacho on your blade, but I can't recall seeing formal koshirae without a kurigata.

[Bugyotsuji]

It gives me flashes of Meiji or later.

[Ganko]

Yura, I'm not sure of the hacho on your blade, but I can't recall seeing formal koshirae without a kurigata.

Ken the kurikata is there, it just blends in with the other metal.

[Yuradneprov]

Piers it's sure not meiji, my guess is 1780-1840 some time around there that this was made. It's a bit different wood and gold plated copper.

[Yuradneprov]

Ken zoom in on the first picture. The kurikata is camoflauged but it's there. Depicts 2 shishi dogs.

[Yuradneprov]

Just got some better pictures will put them up

[Yuradneprov]

1

[Yuradneprov]

2

[Marius]

Judging by the workmanship (which is poor) it is Meiji at best. It could even be Chinese.

 

The sword looks interesting, though.

 

Yura, if you want to see a high quality koshirae (in fact, highest quality) have a look at this one:

 

https://yuhindo.com/goto-mitsunobu-yokoya-nobusada-daisho/

[Yuradneprov]

Thank you for the feedback Marius, I'm very aware of what high quality koshirae looks like. One thing that 100% is that it's certainly not chinese.

[Yuradneprov]

Highly doubt anyone would put a blade of this caliber in a low quality koshirae but it is possible so can't say it is not or it is. When I own it I'll share more info about the smith.

[Yuradneprov]

I would appreciate if you could provide some type of reference also would help because I can't seem to find anything like this is my collection of books. Thank you

[Dave R]

 I would suggest Bakumatsu era, and a variant on Toppei Koshirae. You find some very non traditional pieces under that designation. 

[Babu]

I don't think anyone can be at all certain of what it is or isn't based on such low resolution images.

It sounds like your keen to buy so perhaps a decision has been made and this discussion it better served after you have provided more detailed images and information, perhaps with it in hand.

I think it's not that early but based on the images who knows.As for quality I don't think it's high, just flashy pretentious. It follows this is after 1830 IMHO and possibly 1930's

Really not a lot to go on sorry.

I'll politely bow out.

Good luck

[Yuradneprov]

I totally agree with you Dave since bakafu prohibited use of pure gold around that time according to what another member mentioned would make perfect sense.

[Yuradneprov]

I will put up more tomorrow when I have it in my possession. Sorry for the bad pictures this is the way I got them and all I did was edit and crop them a little. So my apoligies. Will do my best to take good pictures so more can be seen.

[Babu]

Can you please ensure your name is on every reply by embedding it in your signature.

Lots of Newcomers are not adhering to this policy.

Up to 1830 the quality of gold (pure gold content) was reduced to as little as 50% by order of the Bakafu.

1830 to end of the samurai class pure gold of any composition was prohibited other than foil and plate or gilt.

What I cannot work out us why it's got a silver habaki.Thats not in the style of the piece.

[Yuradneprov]

Hey Adam my name is signed under everyone of my posts I thought. At least I see it when i write a message. Not sure as to why it's got a silver habaki either at 5pm I'll put up better picture This way everyone can see it everything better.

[Bugyotsuji]

Check out this thread and the embedded Aoi link there too.

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/12406-any-thoughts-about-this-koshirae/

 

http://www.aoijapan.com/koshirae-toppei-goshirae/

[Yuradneprov]

So guys something very interesting happened here is the link this sword was on eBay a while back the pictures are a whole bunch better then the ones I have from the seller.

[Yuradneprov]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Late-Edo-O-Tanto-Mounted-in-Splendid-Heavily-Gilded-and-Pierced-Koshirae/254570524469?hash=item3b4595ef35%3Ag%3AZMoAAOSwLE5enR7R&LH_BIN=1

[Yuradneprov]

I think we maybe on the right track piers. I'm still researching and going thru my resources.

[Brian]

Much better pics.
I am unsure what to make of this. I like the blade a lot. But as for some of the fittings, I suspect someone took a nice kozuka and menuki (and other parts) and heavily gold plated them. They messed up all the fine detail, nanako etc etc.
Under that, I suspect we have decent shakudo and whatever else.

[Yuradneprov]

Maybe possible brian, honestly I don't care about the fittings of course it sucks if someone really did do that. Im mostly interested and only want the sword either way just very very curious that's all.

[Yuradneprov]

Well since its not really a secret anymore nor was it really ever the signuture is "Oite Azuma Tamaki" and is dated August of 1835.

[Babu]

Much better pics.

I am unsure what to make of this. I like the blade a lot. But as for some of the fittings, I suspect someone took a nice kozuka and menuki (and other parts) and heavily gold plated them. They messed up all the fine detail, nanako etc etc.

Under that, I suspect we have decent shakudo and whatever else.

I think Brian is bang on the money.that would have been shibuichi over gilt or silver. I've a similar Fuchi kashira on a katana koshirae.that set if fittings have been really messed with and not in a good way IMHO sorry.the kozuka nanako has gone in places and it's lost any depth of field.

That's a 20th Century ”restoration” I think.

Was it done to improve saleability as I think it's a counterproductive measure for me.

Regards Adam

[Jussi Ekholm]

As it seems you have purchased it Yura, how confident you are with the signature?

[Yuradneprov]

Feel pretty confident about it Jussi.

[Yuradneprov]

So i have it in my posssesion now and seems that only the menuki have been dipped the rest seems all natural or at least the way it was made. Reason I'm saying menuki is because when you hold it in your hands for a bit the menuki lose the gold color and turn a copper tone. The rest looks good.