A parting gift from a friend.

[obiwanknabbe]

So I got a package a while ago from my dear friend Kazuhiro Hayashi, who as many of you know had recently passed. In the package, a bare blade, no fittings. . He did this from time to time, sending me unusual pieces that he thought I would be Interested in. I like the odd sort of things. 

 

Its a Wakizashi with just shy of a 22 inch Nagasa and a deep bohi running the lengh of the blade into the nakago. The sori is about 1/3 inch measured from the Mune machi. It has a very very slight bend but I think that could be sorted by someone who knows how.

 

The polish is not great, but some of the details are visible.  Of note, the Hamon is all over the place, which is why I think he sent it to me to begin with. No clear pattern. There is a lot of activity. Big Nie crystals. Lots of sunegashi all up and down the blade. I cant really see much of the hada.

 

It is signed. KUNIHIRO. old style kanji. The nakago does still have some yasuri mei, and there are 3 mekugi ana. one was plugged, one towards the bottom looks recent, and the main looks to be hand punched.

 

I'll post up some pictures and we can all have a discussion about it and what I should do with it next. I'm considering full restoration considering the personal meaning it has.

[obiwanknabbe]

[obiwanknabbe]

Any thoughts?

[Winchester]

Sorry for your loss. This speaks to the high level of esteem your friend had for you.

 

It has a nice shape with many activities and is a bit flamboyant (if I may). Doesn’t need a polish imo.

[Rivkin]

Hard to be sure. Sugata can be anything, but its not kodachi and then 22-24 inch blades generally would not be earlier than Muromachi.

Hamon starts flat. Uncommon for Muromachi. Relatively dense jigane, but with some coloration. Very strong, harsh patchy nie.

Generally in Soshu-Hitatsura you see strong nie during early Muromachi and then again during the Edo period.

The writing with distinctive, deep triangular strikes, its more late than early in style, irrespective of whether its gimei or not.

If its early Muromachi it does not look like Masahiro or related Soshu, long nie lines are like Uda. But Uda usually does not go into hitatsura.

 

I would lean towards Edo period. 

[George KN]

Not qualified to provide information, but I personally really like the hamon! 

 

The nakago is interesting too. While I agree the lowest ana looks cleaner and more recent, could it be suriage? And if it is suriage, wouldn't that suggest the mei is a later addition? 

 

I also echo Brian's sentiment - sorry to hear about your friend. I completely understand about wanting to do a full restoration (it at the very least deserves a shirasaya!).

[obiwanknabbe]

It does look like it was cut down just a little, but the hamon does terminate in the nakago. 

 

I think the polish looks better in the photos than in hand. Its a bit dull looking and as it was mentioned,  some details look a bit harsh.. Camera flash is highlighting details pretty well. Mune is a bit jagged and has some dark rust spots.. Like I said, it was bent at some point.