Kanesada Wakizashi, Gimei? period?

[GeneralBuyer52]

Hello, I've recently acquired an interest in Japanese swords although my knowledge is quite low, I bid on one and though it didnt reach the reserve I was sent an offer by the seller afterwards and was looking for thoughts/does it look authentic or a gimei? I only ask as i saw one with the same/similar signature posted here although as far as I know the signature was used by many different smiths. Just wondering if it'd be worth the $400~ it'd come out to after taxes and fees and if it is actually from the time period the seller claims (muromachi - momoyama period)

[GeneralBuyer52]

Just now, GeneralBuyer52 said:

Hello, I've recently acquired an interest in Japanese swords although my knowledge is quite low, I bid on one and though it didnt reach the reserve I was sent an offer by the seller afterwards and was looking for thoughts/does it look authentic or a gimei? I only ask as i saw one with the same/similar signature posted here although as far as I know the signature was used by many different smiths. Just wondering if it'd be worth the $400~ it'd come out to after taxes and fees and if it is actually from the time period the seller claims (muromachi - momoyama period)

 

[GeneralBuyer52]

[GeneralBuyer52]

[GeneralBuyer52]

[GeneralBuyer52]

[GeneralBuyer52]

[GeneralBuyer52]

[Mikaveli]

The sword looks genuine, although there are some condition issues.

 

The tsukamaki is recent, so I'm assuming it's been re-wrapped.

 

Can't see much more from the pictures.

[ROKUJURO]

Jacob,

the signature is chiseled and read vertically (tip-upwards), so the the photos should be oriented accordingly.

The blade looks authentic but might bear a GIMEI (= false signature) nevertheless. The possible age is not of great importance and does not add to the value. The condition is not good but you probably do not get more for this low price. It depends on what you wanted to buy.  

If you just want "a Japanese sword", then the price might be o.k. 

[Shugyosha]

Hi Jacob,

As Michael says, it's hard to be definitive based on the pictures but at $400 price wise, I would suggest that it's reasonably low risk in that the price is about as bottom dollar as you get in this field and you would struggle to get a basic set of fittings for that. The scabbard has nice lacquer work and the tsuba might have some potential, but at this price point you should be prepared for the fittings to be put together from various sources rather than made for the blade.

 

For me the two character signature and colour of the patina on the tang aren't out of keeping with the seller's blurb putting it at late 16th century but again it isn't in perfect polish and the picture of the point suggests that it has had a fairly agressive "clean". That said, you might be able to see enough detail to get some enjoyment from it and that might be improved with some work with an uchiko ball.

 

Your call really, at worst it's a wall hanger and you might prefer to save for something better but I bought something similar for my first sword and paid rather more than that. 

[Alex A]

What length is the blade? Difficult just from images.

 

Ana appear to be punched, not drilled and the nakago seems to have a patina that fits.

 

Its tired, as in not much steel left on at the hamachi.

 

The steel has that Mino kind of a dark appearance of that era but that could just be the photos.

 

Just observations.

 

Easily worth what you paid. Actually, with the good tsuba and koshirae, id say you did very well. Even if Gimei and a serious flaw like Hagire, which is of course what you have to expect for a sword at the price you got it.

 

In the UK, $400 doesn't get you what you got, at all.

 

 

[Lewis B]

Based on the poor pics the blade looks very tired ie seen a few too many polishes in its life. Almost zero hamachi remaining and appears to have been shortened fairly recently.  Ask if the seller is negotiable. The koshirae certainly has some value. I quite like the green saya. 

 

 

Going by the photography and the surface material it appears to be this dealer in Japan or from one of his other Ebay accounts. Seller has no qualms about selling gimei blades. Buy the seller.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/357269604814?_skw=kanesada+wakizashi&itmmeta=01K3DPRDHYKAXV0W5W3R99PVW7&hash=item532eed89ce:g:yLUAAeSwlxtocLvi&pfm=1

[Lewis B]

1 hour ago, Alex A said:

What length is the blade? Difficult just from images.

 

Ana appear to be punched, not drilled and the nakago seems to have a patina that fits.

 

Its tired, as in not much steel left on at the hamachi.

 

The steel has that Mino kind of a dark appearance of that era but that could just be the photos.

 

Just observations.

 

Easily worth what you paid. Actually, with the good tsuba and koshirae, id say you did very well. Even if Gimei and a serious flaw like Hagire, which is of course what you have to expect for a sword at the price you got it.

 

In the UK, $400 doesn't get you what you got, at all.

 

 

He was made a second chance offer after the auction failed to reach reserve, so it hasn't been purchased yet. I would try an negotiate a little. What price would people put on the koshirae which certainly has some value.

[Alex A]

The koshirae is nothing special other than the tsuba is a decent one, alone worth say $250.

 

All the parts are there nothing missing or broken (i presume). The koshirae alone worth around $400.

 

With the sword, even though tired, i think its a steel at that price.

 

Though my point of reference is the UK, where at an arms fair i would be surprised if you got all the above for less than £750 on a good day. On a bad day sellers would want £1000+ as prices seem silly here at the moment.

 

The sword needs to be checked for serious flaws like hagire etc etc. The blade needs further review, measurements and better pictures, should say.

 

Its just a decent package for folks wanting a cheap sword.

 

 

[Lewis B]

Thanks Alex. I'm not familiar with value of koshirae and fittings. Do you really think the tsuba is worth that much in its current condition. Looks like someone took a rather aggressive abrasive to it and remove the patina (rust?). 

[Alex A]

Oh, i missed that. My pc and eyesight. Saying that though, yes i still think the koshirae as a whole is worth that. The tsuba could be sorted out at home but we would be getting into an whole different discussion about how to do that.

 

Actually, i dont think the tsuba is too bad, after taking another look. Would ask the seller about it and get better daylight pics to be sure.

 

Also, forgot. The Menuki might be decent, i cant see them.

[Shugyosha]

I thought the tsuba has a bit of an Owari look which I quite like. As Alex says, it can be repatinated with some fussing or will repatinate over time and the lighting might be making it look a little worse than it is as there seems to be some reflection. The saya with the shell inclusions in the lacquer is a step up from basic urushi though my main concern would be with the blade as there's a lot of it not shown in the pictures and the clean up has blurred the crispness of the lines around the yokote, but at the most basic level it could make an interesting tsunagi.

 

At something under £300 all in (including fees and taxes according to the OP) I feel that it is worth more than the sum of its individual components - even low grade period F&K, menuki, tsuba, saya bought individually would normally add up to more than that so I feel it would be a hard package to lose money on but by the same token a little waiting and saving could get something better. 

 

[GeneralBuyer52]

Thanks for your input everyone, I decided to go for it as I do very much like the style of it and im not in the market for anything too high end. Would be happy to post proper pictures of it once it arrives if anyones interested.

[Mikaveli]

19 minutes ago, GeneralBuyer52 said:

Thanks for your input everyone, I decided to go for it as I do very much like the style of it and im not in the market for anything too high end. Would be happy to post proper pictures of it once it arrives if anyones interested.

I'd like to see it 🙂

 

I think there's value in fully understanding any sword. Whether it's condition issues (what to look out for if you ever buy something expensive), what aspects of the workmanship are considered to have been done well, which (if any) aspects leave room for improvement.

 

I also think it's interesting to explore the "story" of a sword - who could have owned it etc. The "treasures" weren't generally owned by ordinary samurai, and whilst they have there place too, are perhaps less representative of the swords you'd have encountered at the time.