Another new old? sword

[Kubur]

Hi guys,

 

Encouraged by your kind responses and expertise, I decided to post the last Japanese sword I have...

Again I have no idea about it, it looks old to me but to me old is 19th c...

There is a signature but extremely difficult to read I guess?

Thank you for your help

 

Kubur

[Ken-Hawaii]

Kubur, the photos we need to see are both sides of the totally-bare blade. The sugata (shape) is what determines jidai (age). The mei is the very last thing to look at.

[ROKUJURO]

Kubur,

second KANJI of the MEI might be MASA. TSUBA looks good.

Please take SHARP photos, always tip-up and from above, not from an angle! If they are not precisely focused, they don't help. 

[Babu]

Looks like a real Mish mash of parts. The menuki are tobacco pouch clasps.

The wrap is cheap much like satsuma rebellion stuff.

Sword I'll leave to the experts but the fittings a very low grade stuff.

Can't see the Fuchi kashira sorry.

[Kubur]

Kubur,

 

second KANJI of the MEI might be MASA. TSUBA looks good.

 

Hi Jean,

 

I will need a translation... I understood only tsuba...

 

 

[Kubur]

Kubur, the photos we need to see are both sides of the totally-bare blade. The sugata (shape) is what determines jidai (age). The mei is the very last thing to look at.

Hi Ken,  I didn't know and unfortunatly the sword is not with me for more photos...

[Kubur]

Looks like a real Mish mash of parts. The menuki are tobacco pouch clasps.

The wrap is cheap much like satsuma rebellion stuff.

Sword I'll leave to the experts but the fittings a very low grade stuff.

Can't see the Fuchi kashira sorry.

Thank you babu, it's already something, I'm happy with the satsuma rebellion!

I didn't about the Maekanagu or tobacco pouch... are they different from menuki? in size, design???

[Babu]

Yes very different in most cases.

There were a few crossover pieces but your two "menuki" have no cohesion I can see.

They really just grabbed anything to hand to make swords that could be used. Style was not a consideration, functionality was all that mattered.

I've seen satsuma rebellion swords with buttons for menuki.

I see many tobacco pouch clasps like your'e two.

Is the fuchi kashira plain shibuishi or Shakudo perhaps ?

If it's coming to you cheap I'd think it OK but you may need to consider the cost to Polish it.

Not great value as it is in my opinion.

Bristol based are you? I'm Exeter.

Some of us are getting together mid Sept for a show and tell about 4-6 collectors. Your welcome to attend.

[Ray Singer]

Sukesada.

 

[Dave R]

 Search the forum for "satsuma" and "Okashi to". The later are old refurbished swords of very variable quality stored in the armoury and issued as needed.

[Bugyotsuji]

The tsuba looks ok from that angle!

[Kubur]

I

 

Sukesada.

 

sukesada.jpg

Impressive, you can work in pyramids!

Thank you Ray

[Kubur]

I will look at "satsuma" and "Okashi to", thanks Dave!

[Dave R]

Thank you babu, it's already something, I'm happy with the satsuma rebellion!

I didn't about the Maekanagu or tobacco pouch... are they different from menuki? in size, design???

 

 Traditional male dress did not have much in the way of bling, so pouch clasps could be quite elaborate, usualy larger than sword menuki with a pierced plate on the back for the closure hook to fit in.

 

 You can also find Meiji era pieces copied from menuki, that were used as decoration on export items such as boxes...... I bought a job lot of the latter years ago, cheap stamped and plated thin copper that were probably based on real menuki.