Saya repair.. To repair or not to repair. That is the ??

[Justin Grant]

I have an Edo period Saya and mounts on a Koto Tachi that has been shortened to a Wakizashi. The Saya is black and gold swirled laquer. It has some areas missing the laquer and a small crack near the opening. Should this be repaired? If so, by who (PM"s are good for names)?

 

Attached are pictures of the damage.

 

Thanks

 

Justin

[sanjuro]

Hi Justin.

 

Whilst The saya could be repaired, and I am sure that in the USA there are decent lacquer workers who will do the job quite well, the burning question is should it be repaired. I have had a couple of saya repaired over the years and it can be quite expensive. Things I have learned to take into account before having a repair done are as follows:

The quality of the original saya. An Edo period saya can be good or very mediocre.

The amount of internal wear on the saya. A badly worn and cut through saya even though re lacquered, has the potential to damage the blade within. A true refurbishment of a saya would include it being split open and cleaned of grit and any fouling by old oil etc. When you get to that point, the original had better be worth the preservation. The saya in your photographs looks to be sound enough externally to be repaired, but the cut through and split may indicate advanced wear within.

A saya is or at least was, a utilitarian item and subject to replacement when they became worn or damaged. Perhaps a new replacement saya done in the same style would be better, both from the point of view of preservation of the blade it encloses, and from the sheer cost of the excercise.

Any blade worth the preservation, if it is to be housed in its koshirae, would be better off in a new saya. This is particularly so if the blade is newly polished or is to be polished.

 

Just my thoughts on the matter. :D

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Justin,

Does the blade have a signature or paper? If not, do you know what it is?

The proper question may be does the blade warrant the expense of repairing the saya, not is the saya good enough. If the blade is nothing to get excited about, then you might do better to save your money to spend on a better blade instead of spending money on a saya for a mediocre blade.

Grey

[Justin Grant]

Hi Justin,

Does the blade have a signature or paper? If not, do you know what it is?

The proper question may be does the blade warrant the expense of repairing the saya, not is the saya good enough. If the blade is nothing to get excited about, then you might do better to save your money to spend on a better blade instead of spending money on a saya for a mediocre blade.

Grey

 

I think the blade is a very good one. No signature remains, if there was one from when it was a Tachi. I have been considering sending to Bob Benson, so maybe I should proceed with the path first.

 

Thanks

 

Justin

[Henry Wilson]

You could contact Ted Tenold at Legacy Art Swords. He is doing a job for me and comes highly recommended from our elders and betters....

 

http://www.legacyswords.com/newindex.htm

[lbkmd43]

As far as saya repairs and nuri as well as shirasaya fabrication the best is John Tirado having had many shirasayas made by him as well as nuri work he in my humble opinion is thye best his web site can be found in the site locator on page one L.Kanarek MD