Interesting green saya, katana signed Masamune

[Bridges]

Thought you guys would find this interesting. Were green saya a common occurrence? Auctioner states it’s 16th century.

[drbvac]

Are you serious ?  I do like green but even in that pic the blade is junk

[Bridges]

@Brianyou should see the auctioneer’s description, quite a lengthy read. Bid starts at 3,000 USD

[SteveM]

Lacquer with abalone shell flakes (aogai-mijin nuri) is a common style of saya. The abalone shell gives it a sparking, greenish color. I think probably very common in late Edo.

 

Here's a good one

https://www.touken-world.jp/search-koshirae/handachi-koshirae/art0005831/

 

[ROKUJURO]

Photo is upside-down, sword is standing on the KISSAKI! Must be an expert.

[rematron]

How is this interesting and what can be learned from it? The saya looks almost as long as the whole stupid sword. Obviously Frankenstein’d. How long does a description need to be to justify presenting a piece of crap like that as a Masamune.  If the dealer had any confidence in this monstrosity, they’d send it for evaluation. No. They want some sucker to buy it thinking they might get a treasure for cheap. Maybe the same dealer who is selling the ‘ghost sword’ for a cool million. 

[Okan]

This is a wakizashi not katana.

That saya is for a katana not for this wakizashi.

 

[rematron]

38 minutes ago, Okan said:

This is a wakizashi not katana.

That saya is for a katana not for this wakizashi.

 

Exactly. Yet, there they are together… Did I miss something? Is there a link I didn’t see? When I see a sword and a scabbard posed nicely and intimately close to each other (albeit the wakizashi is resting on its poor kissaki), I feel that the intent is to show a set. And someone stupid enough to pose a Japanese sword on it’s tip might also believe that this scabbard went with it. And here they are. A nice looking saya and a wakizashi that was used as a tent stake. 

[Franco]

Heavy sigh .... people, the NMB has a very good search feature that should be used prior to posting comments and topics that have previously been addressed.  

 

8 hours ago, Bridges said:

Were green saya a common occurrence?

 

Not uncommon. However there are different levels/grades of finish.

 

Not unlike today, people play games. Speaking of which, rich merchants sometimes played the game of displaying a katana length saya knowing full well that it was legal for them to carry only a wakizashi. And, as long as people that might not know any better are being played, or perhaps are too polite to say anything, by making them believe that you're carrying a katana, why not go all the way with a sword signed by Masamune. 

 

 

Regards,

[rematron]

So essentially what’s up for auction is a $3,000.00 story…

[DoTanuki yokai]

Saya longer then the blade is nothing uncommon.