Death-Ace Posted May 5 Report Posted May 5 Interesting little 1883 IJA Kyu-Gunto I picked up. I had bought it mostly to have a representative Kyu-Gunto and it had a traditional blade. The price was definitely worth it as no one really bidded. Upon closer inspection of the suriage nakago at the auction house, there is a tachi-mei, but I can't make heads or tails as I'm still researching it and getting dimensions. It looks like either an existing or another mekui-ana was drilled when fitted in the mounts. Someone took a belt grinder to it, it looks like but thankfully didn't go too far, although there are a couple of hakobore. There looks to be a suguha hamon until the scratches, but appears to think out towards the kissaki, which depending on how further examination goes, may be fatal. Either way, happy to have gotten a Kyu-Gunto for a very good price and will preserve as is. What do you guys make of this? I figure Koto, but not sure how early. I appreciate any help! 1 Quote
nulldevice Posted May 5 Report Posted May 5 Looks like Munechika at first glance? 宗近 Hard to tell as it’s quite worn down 1 Quote
Death-Ace Posted May 5 Author Report Posted May 5 Thanks guys! Ed and I were talking and figured the "Mune" was right, but we're confused on the second. I'm trying to research and see other Munechika smiths down the Sanjo school lineage or other schools, but is a bit of a puzzle, unless this one is flat out gimei. Unfortunately, with the obscurance of many features, makes it a bit more difficult, but love a challenge. Quote
Ray Singer Posted May 5 Report Posted May 5 Unfortunately tachi-mei of Munechika are, like the many mei we see of Masamune, often gimei of 'the big guy'. It may not be possible to place this with another swordsmith who legitimately used the name, and the fact that it is tachi-mei also points towards the idea that it was intended to be passed off as Sanjo Munechika. 1 Quote
Robert S Posted May 5 Report Posted May 5 Wow, they took every machine tool to this - some kind of rotary grinder as well. Polishing all that out would be a significant job. 1 Quote
Death-Ace Posted May 6 Author Report Posted May 6 8 hours ago, Robert S said: Wow, they took every machine tool to this - some kind of rotary grinder as well. Polishing all that out would be a significant job. Unfortunately so. There's even a slight bend in the nakago. Though it's hardly noticeable, this poor blade definitely went through the ringer. With the hakobore, probably could still be salvaged, if one wanted to, but it would be quite the undertaking for the togishi, as you stated. The chips probably would be kept in to keep it's shape. Judging by the nakago, it was quite the beefier blade in the past, but repeated polishings have thinned it out immensely. Still only see maybe one spot of ware, surprisingly through all the mess. Probably was a well forged sword. With that being said, it is curious to the age of the sword. Maybe Nanbokucho or early Muromachi, judging by the shape? Not sure if the gimei was a later addition or added when the sword was forged, but considering the age and condition of the nakago, maybe towards the former? Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.