Kawachi (no) Kami Minamoto Nagakuni Saku

[SwordGuyJoe]

All,

I recently purchased a Nagakuni blade with the thoughts of having it polished and sent to shinsa. The blade is in good condition overall, with exception of a muneware. So, my question is, is a blade with muneware worth polishing? Can a polisher remove/cover the muneware? With this question, please keep in mind that I am not trying to conceal a flaw to sell the blade, but keep and enjoy for myself. I have heard that polishers are able to conceal ware, but unsure about muneware. Thank you in advance for the help.

[loui]

A polisher can minimize or close up a muneware and other problems, but every situation is different.

 

Regards

 

Louis

[nagamaki - Franco]

Greetings,

 

my question is, is a blade with muneware worth polishing?

 

every situation is different.

 

Indeed, while some ware can be tightened up, some ware will open up more. Whenever a sword is sent for polish always hope for good news, but be prepared for disappointment. Considerations; a) typically there are two kinds of collectors, those that can live with flaws on a newly polished sword, and then there are those that simply cannot b) while there are fine blades in new polish with flaws out there, the question is, is this blade fine enough to warrant a polish and still have a flaw? c) if the condition of the blade is good enough, submit the blade to shinsa and then decide what to do about having it polished based upon the result.

[SwordGuyJoe]

submit the blade to shinsa and then decide what to do about having it polished based upon the result

 

I was under the (apparently misguided) impression that prior to shinsa, a person would want to polish the blade for the most favorable results.

 

Below are a few photos of the blade. The hamon was difficult to capture, but appears to be notare or o-notare. I don't have many shinto references to compare the mei - can someone help?

 

Mei:

 

 

Nakago 1:

 

 

Nakago 2:

 

 

Blade 1:

 

 

Blade 2:

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Joe,

Here's an oshigata from Shinto Taikan.

Grey

[nagamaki - Franco]

I was under the (apparently misguided) impression that prior to shinsa, a person would want to polish the blade for the most favorable results.

 

Hi Joe,

 

Not misguided at all. Swords, signed (if not gimei) and mumei, should benefit from a polish or having a window opened before being submitted to shinsa, especially if the current condition of the polish is such that it would hinder judgment. Additionally, when there are concerns such as flaws, it is not uncommon for a sword to be put through shinsa before and after polish, just so there are no regrets.

[SwordGuyJoe]

Does anyone have or know where I can find some photos of a blade? Thank you so much.