Legit Mei?

[nihonto1001]

Hi:

 

Need some help with this one.

 

Looks like Kanetada. Anyone know if it looks legitimate. Is it Gendaito?

 

 

Thanks,

Jon

[cabowen]

Can't say without pictures of the blade. Mekugi ana placement is a bit off....

[nihonto1001]

Hi Chris:

 

Thanks for the quick reply. Unfortunately, the blade is in rough shape. The pics I have will not tell much other than that. I noticed there are many variations of "Kanetada" during the 20th century. Just wondering if the mei looks good, and to which Kanetada it could be attributed to.

 

Jon

[David Flynn]

Firstly, does it have a Showa/Seki stamp? Kanetada made both Showato and Gendai.

[nihonto1001]

Hi:

 

David-There is no stamp. There does look to be the remnants of black lacquer.

 

Chris- Here is a pic of the whole sword. The hamon is not visable.

 

 

Thanks,

Jon

[cabowen]

Can you get a better picture of the nakago? Is there ubu-ba present? Is it dated?

 

Thanks...

[nihonto1001]

Hi Chris:

 

Here is a better pic:

 

There is no date, only the mei shown. Not sure about the ubu-ba, I am assuming it is original polish though. Is such a sword worth restoring?

 

Jon

[cabowen]

Ubu-ba is a short section of the cutting edge from under the habaki forward, maybe a few inches, where the blade is very dull and unsharpened. Does this blade have this or is it sharp all the way to the hamachi (notch under the habaki).

[nihonto1001]

Hi Chris:

 

Without the sword in hand I cannot tell. Let's assume that it is not ubu-ba, would that be indicative of Showato?

 

Thanks,

Jon

[cabowen]

Hi Chris:

 

Without the sword in hand I cannot tell. Let's assume that it is not ubu-ba, would that be indicative of Showato?

 

Thanks,

Jon

 

 

In many cases, yes....

[nihonto1001]

Thanks Chris.

 

Jon

[David Flynn]

I have seen quite a few Gendai with Ububar.

[cabowen]

I have seen quite a few Gendai with Ububar.

 

That's my point. Many, if not most, gendaito have ubu-ba.......

[cisco-san]

That's my point. Many, if not most, gendaito have ubu-ba.......

Sorry for my ignorance, this means that Gendai with ubu-ba has a very dull and unsharpened section under the habaki and Showato blades are fully sharpend from Kissaki till under the habaki?

[cabowen]

In many, but not all, cases, yes....

[nihonto1001]

Hi Chris:

 

Is it then safe to assume that if it is Ubu-ba that it is Gendaito?

 

Thanks,

Jon

[cabowen]

Hi Chris:

 

Is it then safe to assume that if it is Ubu-ba that it is Gendaito?

 

Thanks,

Jon

 

No, it is not safe to assume. Just that there is a good possibility. Other factors need to be checked before any safe assumptions can be made.

[cisco-san]

In many, but not all, cases, yes....

Many thanks Chris.

But one last question, did you see any Showato with ubu-ba?

[David Flynn]

Yes

[cabowen]

Many thanks Chris.

But one last question, did you see any Showato with ubu-ba?

 

I may have but in general I do not spend much time with them and hardly give them more than a cursory look....

[cisco-san]

Again many thanks for clarification!