Researching older Kunimune wakizashi

[yokaze]

Greetings All,

 

First post here, hoping your prowess can assist me in dating/pricing a sword offered to me for sale. A family's eldest passed away recently (Japanese family) and the family knows of my interest in nihonto. They've offered me a wakizashi with the markings KUNI-MUNE (國宗). My question is, does this by itself mark the sword as worthy? Any other general hints one might be on the lookout for?

 

Awaiting your insights...

 

DP

[cabowen]

Pictures of the blade are necessary to make any meaning comments....There have been many smiths signing Kunimune through the ages....Some well known, some not....

[Ken-Hawaii]

DP, please follow Brian's rules & sign your posts with your real name; you can do that manually or set up a signature. Welcome to the forum.

 

Interestingly, I just bought a Bizen katana made by a Kunimune that is quite likely a different smith; there were lots of Kunimunes. I would be curious to get more photos on your wakizashi, assuming you buy it. The mei looks a lot like this one, http://nihontoclub.com/swords/0000-0054, but it will take a much more-educated eye than mine to tell that for sure. And the small area I can see of your blade doesn't look anywhere nearly as old.

 

But I'll bet you'll find someone here who can give you lots more info, especially if you post some more photos of the entire blade, nakago, & boshi.

 

Ken

[yokaze]

Ken & Chris,

 

Many thanks for the replies. Shall obtain some more pics of the actual blade.

 

While living in Japan, I would occasionally see blades of all types at the open "swap meets" most temples have monthly. This particular blade reminds me of one of those. The saya was in bad shape, but overall the blade had been kept at least clean.

[yokaze]

Attaching some additional photos of the sword. Any insights would be appreciated.