therabbit Posted July 29, 2011 Report Posted July 29, 2011 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWNX:IT I am new here and unfortunately i found the site after i went with my first purchase. I now am wondering if what i purchased is even worth anything. The hamon is very difined and the steel appears to be of good quality with an interesting pattern. The saya is older and came with an old sword bag. But I questionable about the mei and the lack of serious rust on the tang. Let me know what you think, any help would be appreciated. Next time i will be sure to do the research here first. Thanks. -TJ Quote
estcrh Posted July 29, 2011 Report Posted July 29, 2011 You should download these images before they are removed and post them on a photo gallery site like photobucket and then link to that. http://daimyou54jp.web.infoseek.co.jp/B2-713/index.htm Quote
SwordGuyJoe Posted July 29, 2011 Report Posted July 29, 2011 therabbit, Looks okay. A bit tired, but not too bad if Muromachi is correct. Can't speak to the fact that he is calling the mei genuine. I did say 'if Muromachi' is correct, but I don't believe it is. I'd guess early shinto and my out on a limb guess would be Kanbun. The sugata seems wrong for Muromachi. Others correct me if you believe I am wrong. My advice: Send the blade to shinsa. There is one this year in Minneapolis. They will be able to verify the signature and era. Here is a link: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=10537 Quote
sanjuro Posted July 29, 2011 Report Posted July 29, 2011 Hi. I'm afraid I agree with Joe. Based on the photographs, the steel looks wrong for Muromachi as does the Hamon. The nakago is too 'young' also. Shinto would also be my guess. Having said that however, Others here may disagree. Much can be hidden and masked by the quality of the photography and lighting. If in doubt, take it to Shinsa. Quote
Grey Doffin Posted July 29, 2011 Report Posted July 29, 2011 Hi, name please, What I find curious is that the mei says Uda Kunimitsu but the saya-gaki might say Uda Kuni something else. Is this the Kanji mitsu or is it saki or yuki or another? Below is an oshigata from Nihonto Zuikan; doesn't match yours. On ebay, sold out of Japan by a Japanese sword dealer, without reserve, without paper: good chance there is something to be wary of. My guess is that you bought a decent enough sword but not what you thought you were buying. Unless you get an informed opinion that this is special, probably not much up side in paying for shinsa. If you're serious about learning you'll learn what you can from this and move on. Not the worst sword buying mistake by a long shot. Grey Quote
Curran Posted July 29, 2011 Report Posted July 29, 2011 Rabbit, Welcome to the NMB, the e-citadel for collectors. One or two shady types hang outside the gates, so be wary of unsolicited emails from Pawel or such (search the forum for notes on him). Also please remember the forum rules to use your real first name. :D Grey: The sayagaki reads 'Kunimitsu' to my eyes. Just stylized so. But you read better than I do. Rabbit: as said before, unpapered sword out of Japan. With the US$ having cratered against the yen, you'd probably do better to find a papered sword at a US sword show or from a seller in the US with a solid reputation. That said, at least you purchased a real one. It has its flaws and looks to probably be gimei from Grey's helpful post of reference signature. BUT gimei is relatively common event in Nihonto..... and you are NOT one of the MANY people to come through having purchased a chinese or other fake. Real blade with some age and personality to it. Needs some proper clean-up and TLC. If there is any legit sword club remotely in your, visit or join them. Curran Quote
therabbit Posted July 30, 2011 Author Report Posted July 30, 2011 Well i appreciate the help, and I am glad to know that it is at least an older sword and not a fake. I just as soon purchased it and then found the forums and read how ebay was the devil and that almost all on there was fake. I will look into shinsa if you all think it is worth it or not. I also have a Japanese officer's sword that would be good to know about as well. From the previous posts, it is obvious that i have much to learn and will be sure to read first then act. I tried to find a proper signature for uda kunimitsu but found only a tanto blade with a similar signature but a different kanji for mitsu. Still not sure about the sword but it looks nice for the wall and will be my project to clean up for a while. Btw i am in the san diego area so not sure what is in the area, but will look through the forum. Thanks again -TJ Quote
sanjuro Posted July 30, 2011 Report Posted July 30, 2011 This has nothing to do with nihonto, but in my mis spent youth we used to go street racing. The car we sent ahead of the race to check if there was a police presence, was called the rabbit. Ring any bells???????? :D Quote
Brian Posted July 30, 2011 Report Posted July 30, 2011 TJ..we require everyone to sign all posts with at least a first name, please add to your posts or add it to your signature line. Thanks. Quote
Jacques Posted July 31, 2011 Report Posted July 31, 2011 Hi, http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/1998.127.2 Quote
loiner1965 Posted August 2, 2011 Report Posted August 2, 2011 i am sure this ebay seller is or was a member on here and if my memory serves me right he is not one of those misleading sellers etc......ok guy i believe Quote
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