My Sword

[CodyM]

Attached photos of my great grandfathers sword. I recently had a couple people tell me Edo Period. Some say Gimei some say Mei. I’d like to still submit to Shinsa regardless, look into getting it polished, and overall learn more about each component and how to care for it.
 

*I’ve never touched the blade with bare hands, only ever used oil and uchiko powder every few years. Blade isn’t perfect but I’ve done my best.

*zero interest in selling

[Mikaveli]

粟田口近江守忠綱

Awataguchi omi no kami Tadatsuna

 

If I'm reading that correctly?

[CodyM]

That’s what I’ve been told

[Rawa]

How long is this blade?

[CodyM]

[Rawa]

So it’s below 23.8 inch nagasa. 

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Cody,

Here you will find Care & Cleaning, which will teach you proper maintenance: https://nbthk-ab2.org/sword-characteristics/

Your sword's length means that it is a wakizashi, not a katana. Nothing wrong with that; just a different length.

Best advice I give out to all beginners: don't be in a hurry to do anything. Forget about shinsa and polish for now; you don't know enough to make an informed decisions and that leads to regret later. Take some time to learn more about your sword and Nihonto in general; your sword is perfectly fine with waiting for you to catch up. Polish doesn't preserve the sword*; oil and proper care take care of that. The more you know before you act, the happier you and the sword will be with the results.

Grey

* When a Japanese sword is sent by a beginning collector to a polisher it can end in damage, not preservation. Beginners often choose poorly trained polishers and beginners don't know how best to care for the polish.

[CodyM]

Good advice, very much appreciated. I’m fairly analytical I never rush into anything .

 

 

[Scogg]

Hi Cody, well done on the photos! 

Grey's advice is very good. Consider that the sword has existed for many generations before you, and it will continue to survive many generations into the future; so plenty of time to learn before any big decisions are made. (A professional traditional polish can be as much, or more than $150 an inch, (150 x 23 = ~ $3450).

Your sword is already in decent condition, and is better looking than most "first swords" that we see. The two peice habaki is a nice bonus, and the fittings are charming enough.. When a mei is genuine, it's referred to as "zaimei", when it's a false signature it is called "gimei". I do not personally have the expertise to determine zaimei from gimei. You could try comparing your signature to known papered examples, but that's a little advanced (maybe someone here will offer input). Your sword is original length (ubu). 

Without a doubt it is a real and traditionally made Nihonto Wakizashi. 
Thank you for sharing, and welcome!
All the best,

-Sam 



 

[CodyM]

Thanks Sam, I have a lot of homework!

[Jacques]

Mei seems legit, probably a sword by the shodai Tadatsuna.

[Jake6500]

Branching out from my usual lane in the Tosogu section...

 

For Cody's knowledge, would it be fair to assume based on the mei that this is likely an example of a shinto sword (sword dating to the early/mid Edo period circa 1596-1780) or even more precisely if this is a Tadatsuna sword, that this blade would have been produced in the Osaka area?

 

From what I read online there is another Tokubetsu Hozon certified blade out there with an identical inscription dated to the 7th year of Houei (1710). This would be the prolific (but talented) second generation Tadatsuna, not the first.

Edited November 1 by Jake6500

[Jacques]

Quote

This would be the prolific (but talented) second generation Tadatsuna, not the first.

What makes you think it's the second generation? I know these two smiths particularly well, and I know what to look for to tell which generation this sword belongs to.