Any ideas on the era of this Katana?

[moss]

Hello all,

 

This katana was first registered in 1995,when the house where it was found was demolished.

It was in gunto mounts and I would guess had been hidden to avoid destruction.

I was told it is Sukekane ?

There is some feint mei left but it defies me.

Sorry in advance I am not a photographer of any real skill.

Anyway thought it would be nice to show and tell.

 

Cheers Moss

[Jamie]

Measurements might help in determination. Can't see the Mei in those pics.

Nice Hamon. Blade looks in decent shape.

[moss]

Thanks Jamie,

I will post some better pictures and measurements .

A mate of mine has a studio ,so he will get better shots than my clunkers.

Next couple of days I would think.

Cheers Moss

[reinhard]

Remnants of a mei are visible on the sashi-omote of the blade. Telling by the pics is difficult.

 

reinhard

[moss]

Hello Reinhard,

I will try to post some clearer pictures in a day or two.

Maybe a little chalk in the mei will help?

 

Cheers Moss

[moss]

Hello Reinhard and Jamie,

 

Sorry for the long delay but finally I have the measurements.

 

Sori 12 mm

Nagasa 660 mm

Nakago 210 mm

Mihaba 27 mm

Kasane 5.5 mm

Kissaki tip to yokote 30 mm

 

I have tried to get a better shot of mei but it eludes me but added a couple more.

Hope the info helps.

 

Cheers Moss

[nagamaki - Franco]

Hello Moss,

 

if possible,

1) close up images of boshi (both sides)?

2) kasane measured across the widest part of the nakago?

3) sakikasane?

 

[moss]

Hello Franco and all,

 

The motokasane measures 6.5 mm.

 

The sakikasane measures 4.5mm

 

Sorry about the boshi pictures,I hope you can see something in them?

 

Many thanks

 

Moss

[moss]

Hello all ,

 

The mei does read Sukekane,that is according to the paper work for export from Japan.

So now it will be nice to find out what era it was made.

 

Cheers Moss

[nagamaki - Franco]

Hello,

 

The motokasane measures 6.5 mm.

 

The sakikasane measures 4.5mm

 

So now it will be nice to find out what era it was made.

 

Unfortunately, the quality of the polish on this sword does the sword no favors. Still, based on the shape of the sword in the image along with the above measurements, Koto is in the running for era.

[drbvac]

Well if the mei is good this could be a fairly old blade as this is an old lineage, nakago is not that dark so if I had to make a guess - shinto.

[Tsugio Kawakami]

Possibly Nambokucho? Looks too broad to be typical Kamakura, but too old to be Muromachi. The koshizori makes me think earlier...

 

...But I'm still learning!

[nagamaki - Franco]

Hello,

 

Well if the mei is good this could be a fairly old blade as this is an old lineage, nakago is not that dark so if I had to make a guess - shinto.

 

There was a period of time during the muromachi period in which earlier swords were copied right down to the style of mei. It would not come as a surprise to find out this sword falls into this category.

[drbvac]

So maybe Kamakura but to broad, older than Muromachi, maybe Nambokucho, but with copied mei Muromachi and color of nakago, early Shinto. :lol:

 

Nothing like a definite answer :?

[moss]

Thanks all for the help,

I know it probably does'nt help but I posted a shot of the Habaki.

Yes the mei is faint and the condition of polish lets it down but considering I did not let too many moths out of the wallet on this one ,I can live with it.

The only negative....No gunto mounts :lol: :lol:

Cheers Moss

[drbvac]

Well all things considered, it is shortened so it probably originally had a nagaso of ~700mm, so early Muromachi or early edo , 1400 to 1650, forget the gunto mounts. My guess only

[moss]

Thanks Brian,

 

I will submit this one to shinza (If it is held)

I was just after other members opinions.

The gunto mounts how can one forget them....most of the nihonto I have has come in them.

 

Cheers Moss