Mike Noel Posted June 6 Report Posted June 6 Hi Guys I recently bought a tired old Wakazashi at auction. Removing the handle was a challenge as rust was holding it firmly in place when I eventually got it off it was obvious that the blade had been shortened at some time in its history, on removing some of the bigger pieces of rust from the nakago I was pleased to find a signature, can anybody help to translate it. The hamon looks pretty wild and compared to the nakago the rust staining on the blade is only superficial so well worth getting it polished while I make a new handle might even try my hand at a Jabaraito wrap. Regards Mike Quote
ROKUJURO Posted June 6 Report Posted June 6 Mike, it is WAKIZASHI, not Wakazashi. Signature reads BIZEN KUNI no JU OSAFUNE.....Do not try to "restore" the blade, do not "clean" the NAKAGO! More photos of the complete blade without HABAKI - made on a dark, non-reflective background and presented as cut-outs, tip always vertically upwards - will help the experts to tell you more. 1 Quote
Mike Noel Posted June 6 Author Report Posted June 6 Hi Jean Really appreciate the translation I am trying to get to grips with reading some Kanji but could not match this signature to any reference I have early days though. Photos as requested but would like to say that loose rust coming off of of the nakago has to be removed before you can make a handle it took an hour of patient effort to remove the habaki which would not have come off if the nakago was left as found. The blade is as found and will get sent away for a polish. The sword has a 2 piece habaki and is 21.75 inches overall length the nagasa is 17.75 inches Regards Mike Quote
Brian Posted June 6 Report Posted June 6 As Jean said, the smith's name is cut off, so getting more than that is going to be difficult. All you have there is the province and town.. made in Bizen province, Osafune town, and a very little of the smiths first part of his name. Very common signature to start with. Rust removal is a serious no-no, even if it means being unable to remove the habaki. Red rust is stabilized. Black rust is left alone. Removing the rust will cost you half the value of the sword. In this case, it least it isn't cleaned down to silver metal. I would do no more than covering with a soft cloth and lightly tapping with a piece of wood or rubber, to have removed loose flakes. NO more than that. Nothing abrasive. Being able to read a mei is secondary to leaving the original patina on a nakago. 1 1 Quote
ROKUJURO Posted June 6 Report Posted June 6 Mike, the blade itself does not look dangerously corroded, but someone has obviously sandpapered it, taking off material and rounding the SHINOGI down. Any metal removal on an old blade is a damage and a loss of possible "lifespan"! What is visible of the HAMON does indeed look spectacular! May I ask who the polisher is you will send it to? If he is traditionally trained, he will certainly take care of any corrosion issues. Quote
Mike Noel Posted June 6 Author Report Posted June 6 I will most likely send it to les Stewart in Glasgow 1 Quote
Stephen Posted June 6 Report Posted June 6 3 hours ago, Mike Noel said: I will most likely send it to les Stewart in Glasgow I think you will be happy with the results possibly the katsumitsu school 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.