Masatoshi Katana Info

[Matthew Jensen]

I don't post often here, please forgive me if I am putting this in the wrong section. 

 

I am looking for info on the maker of this sword.  The info I have says it is Masatoshi estimated date 1628.  I am having trouble finding much of anything other than a few obscure foot notes.  Any info or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

 

 

[16k]

Take a look there Matthew

By the way, always loved the humor in your videos with Chinese repro.

 

EDIT:

or this...

 

[Ray Singer]

Look into the Mino smith.

 

https://nihontoclub.com/smiths/MAS1025

[Matthew Jensen]

Threadomancy here.  I have had this sword for quite a while and pondered selling or mounting it up for years.  I recently had RyanSword (a Chines sword maker) create a reproduction of the sword.  It came out quite well considering the price.  The video is posted here - 

 

 

I am curious if my assumptions are correct.  Are there folks on this forum that would like to have a copy of a sword to play with?   If so, what sword would you like to copy?  Curious about thoughts.

 

[ROKUJURO]

The main question is why would I want to have a Chinese copy of an authentic sword if I would never "play" with it?

And the second question would be if this would be a look-alike or a traditionally made one?

[Matthew Jensen]

4 hours ago, ROKUJURO said:

The main question is why would I want to have a Chinese copy of an authentic sword if I would never "play" with it?

And the second question would be if this would be a look-alike or a traditionally made one?

I don't really know of a use case for a copy if you did not want something for use.   It is not likely to interest a nihonto collector as a subject of study or art object.  If you don't have the desire to use the sword in your collection then I don't think this is going to be useful.  Except, to toy with folks that don't know anything about swords as a game of "which is the real sword."

 

The second question, this is not a traditionally made bade in the way folks on this board appreciates.  It is modern steels but it is a laminated construction with a mid tier Chinese polish.  I think it has charm but it is not the same as the original.

 

 

Not sure if I answered your questions but happy to elaborate if you want more info. 

[Alex A]

Edit, actually, geometry better than i thought, so do get it.

 

Half expected an exact reproduction or original

 

Good value

[Matthew Jensen]

54 minutes ago, Alex A said:

Think maybe the title of the video above is not so accurate.

 

I started watching it thinking it was a modern match for your old sword, but its not.

 

The geometry doesn't look right , to say the least. Though maybe its just images. One looks more curved than the other,

 

On that note, im a little confused.

 

It is a copy but not 100% or even 80% accurate accurate one.  There are differences between the two in weight and curvature that are meaningful and could be closer.   At the same time the point of balance is the same and  the shape is very similar enough to have the original saya work for the reproduction.  It has a similar feeling in the hand or at least close enough that it moves similarly to the original.  It is still a Longquan reproduction sword and it is not going to look like the original in the finer details.  

 

The goal was to have something that would give me a similar feeling when cutting or doing iaido with the sword.  The tsuka length distracts me a bit but I do feel like it checked that box reasonably well.   When you say the geometry does not look right, is that in the nakago or do you think the blade looks off?  From a measurement perspective, they are very similar. Those are in the description of the video but I have an image that might better show the blades side by side. 

 

[Alex A]

Hello, i edited after you quoted me.

 

As said, the geometry is better than i first thought

 

So do get it

 

Cheers

[eternal_newbie]

45 minutes ago, Alex A said:

As said, the geometry is better than i first thought

 

So do get it

 

Agreed, if you can afford it and you'll put it to good use, then go for it. People here may quibble about just how much a non-Japanese blade will actually handle/perform compared to a proper nihonto, but if you're going to be using it to train or do tameshigiri, I think we can all agree that it's better to do it with a Lonquan copy rather than your Masatoshi.

[Alex A]

Dont know anything about modern swords meant for cutting.

 

After seeing a picture on youtube the other day showing a guys nose cut in half from a sword that shattered.

 

Best to do your homework, obviously.