Nakago

[Char]

HI, would really appreciate anyone's thoughts on a Shinto era katana UBU having 3 holes in the Nakago and one plugged would it effect the value of the sword
greatly from a collectors standpoint I understand one mekugi- ana hole is preferable and its common on Koto blades.

[NewB]

Hello,

 

For me UBU is key in your case. I'd like to hear what others have to say But I don't think a plugged hole affects the value of a Shinto blade.

 

Cheers

 

 

John

[b.hennick]

I have purchased shinto blades that are ubu and others that are not ubu. For me there are a number of factors that affect my decision to buy a sword of not buy a particular sword. For years I collected the Shinto Hizen smith Masahiro and other mainline or sideline smiths.

Here is a list of what I look for:

1. Shape  2. hada 3. hamon 4. nakago 5. if signed, I look at the signature. Looking at signatures is a full topic on its own. 6. Horimono 7. mounts

I would put ubu in with nakago.  Ububa (ubuha) would be put in with shape in that it would be noted when looking at the shape.

The newer the sword, the more things have to be very very good. 

[Shugyosha]

I've seen machi okuri blades described as having ubu nakago. If it's machi okuri then that might affect it's value because, as Barry says, shinto and newer blades are expected to retain their original shape and will be less desireable if that has been altered. This blade, however, has three mekugi ana to allow it to be mounted as both a katana and tachi and with a third hole at the nakago jiri for "belt and braces".

 

https://yuhindo.com/tsunbo-nagatsuna-katana/

 

If you're looking to buy and you have any doubts, look elsewhere as there are plenty of swords for sale and you can find an ubu shinto blade fairly easily.