Hira-zukuri/ Shobu-zukuri blade - too tired?

[Hector]

Hi,

My Japanese wife's family has some swords but they are all going to her older brother. 🙄 Shame as there are some interesting pieces.

So, I'm newly retired with an itch to scratch and have started looking to pick up one or two more unusual items for myself - and this mumei wakizashi caught my eye.

 

I very much like the asymmetrical style of the blade with one side hira-zukuri and the other shobu-zukuri. Unfortunately, it seems very tired with what I assume are patches of shingane showing through on the shobu-zukuri side and lots of laminar separation on the hira-zekuri side.

 

However, I'm still tempted so I'd value any opinions.

 

Thanks,

Hector C

 

[Geraint]

Dear Hector.

 

This is purely a personal take on the sword and might be way off.  This didn't start in this shape.  The nakago suggests a much shortened sword and the way the hamon runs into it adds to that feeling.  Totally different yaurime.  On one side there are some areas of shingane showing, on the other much more is evident.  My theory would be that this is the top of a shinogi zukuri blade that has been turned into what you see now, removing the shinogi on one side leaving almost total shingane.  I don't know if the term 'dog's breakfast' resonates but for me that is what this sword is.  

 

If you buy this I do not think it will provide you with much pleasure, and I speak from experience here, there will not be the delight of discovery each time you examine it and soon it will be sitting on your shelf largely unregarded and pretty much unsaleable.  

 

I am sorry to be so negative but in a sense this is me speaking to my younger self.  

 

All the best.

[Rawa]

53 minutes ago, Geraint said:

Dear Hector.

 

This is purely a personal take on the sword and might be way off.  This didn't start in this shape.  The nakago suggests a much shortened sword and the way the hamon runs into it adds to that feeling.  Totally different yaurime.  On one side there are some areas of shingane showing, on the other much more is evident.  My theory would be that this is the top of a shinogi zukuri blade that has been turned into what you see now, removing the shinogi on one side leaving almost total shingane.  I don't know if the term 'dog's breakfast' resonates but for me that is what this sword is.  

 

If you buy this I do not think it will provide you with much pleasure, and I speak from experience here, there will not be the delight of discovery each time you examine it and soon it will be sitting on your shelf largely unregarded and pretty much unsaleable.  

 

I am sorry to be so negative but in a sense this is me speaking to my younger self.  

 

All the best.

Can I get your opinion about this blade? Sugata only please as I bought it just for shape.

Edited Friday at 10:11 AM by Rawa

[PNSSHOGUN]

The Kissaki appears poorly re-shaped, if you're located in Japan I would try and locate a mid level dealer and see what they have. 

[Hector]

3 hours ago, Geraint said:

Dear Hector.

 

This is purely a personal take on the sword and might be way off.  This didn't start in this shape.  The nakago suggests a much shortened sword and the way the hamon runs into it adds to that feeling.  Totally different yaurime.  On one side there are some areas of shingane showing, on the other much more is evident.  My theory would be that this is the top of a shinogi zukuri blade that has been turned into what you see now, removing the shinogi on one side leaving almost total shingane.  I don't know if the term 'dog's breakfast' resonates but for me that is what this sword is.  

 

If you buy this I do not think it will provide you with much pleasure, and I speak from experience here, there will not be the delight of discovery each time you examine it and soon it will be sitting on your shelf largely unregarded and pretty much unsaleable.  

 

I am sorry to be so negative but in a sense this is me speaking to my younger self.  

 

All the best.

Thanks Geraint - you helped me dodge a bullet there for sure! 😳

I obviously have a lot more to learn.

 

One explanation in defense of my poor judgement; the blade has been this shape long enough to have an aged looking shirasaya and specially shaped habaki - but I guess any dealer could organize those in order to 'legitimize' the overall appearance.

[Hector]

3 hours ago, Rawa said:

Can I get your opinion about this blade? Sugata only please as I bought it just for shape.

Please start your own thread rather than hijacking mine.

[Hector]

1 hour ago, PNSSHOGUN said:

The Kissaki appears poorly re-shaped, if you're located in Japan I would try and locate a mid level dealer and see what they have. 

Will do - thank you.

[Rawa]

7 hours ago, Hector said:

Please start your own thread rather than hijacking mine.

Mate I clearly understand your point and don’t looking for beef. Its cheap pappered late muromachi example worth couple hundreads bucks for comparison what you can find out there. It was discussed before on forum.

Cheers and no hard feelings.

Edited Friday at 08:50 PM by Rawa