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Post by djadams on May 20, 2019 20:12:54 GMT
So I picked this up at a small regional auction. I know virtually nothing about swords. I assume it’s a Japanese katana, but if anyone can help me with the detail? Age, maker, quality, Chinese knockoff, value, etc... is apreciate it. imgur.com/gallery/nEbd676
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Post by randomnobody on May 20, 2019 20:38:54 GMT
I'm far from the most qualified to comment here, but what you have there looks to be a legitimate Japanese sword.
It's in rough shape, though. Out of polish, it looks like it's falling apart (though at least we can see the hishigami) but properly wrapped. Metal bits, apart from the blade, appear to be in decent shape with some patina. Nakago may be shortened? Partina looks legit, can't comment on the signature. Three holes means it's seen a few changes of clothes in its life, and may or may not reflect aforementioned shortening.
Jussi etc will likely be along shortly to give a better run-down, but depending on how long it is and what you paid for it (not asking, no need to disclose) you did okay. If you were interested in having it restored, I'm not the guy to tell you if it's worth it, but it would cost a lot to be done properly. Probably more than you paid, maybe more than it's worth? Again, I can't really say.
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Post by Silent on May 20, 2019 20:54:33 GMT
I think this looks like a katana made in japan, those smaller officer kats from world war from crudess of it.(the lines)
Lets wait for someone elses opinions
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Post by tensho on May 21, 2019 14:17:41 GMT
Curious to see what the Mei says. It's an old family blade in civilian mountings, yet it has chrysanthemum menuki typically seen on Gunto. It's not the first time I have seen civilian fittings mixed in with military fittings though.
Chances are it's not a diamond in the rough. But if you bought it at an auction I'm assuming you didn't spend to much. And it's a nice place to start collecting. Someone else will chime in I'm sure on the maker and whether or not it is worth to get polished(which will cost well over $1k)
Also, the seppa nearest the habaki appears to be upside down.
Edit: Also do NOT try to clean the blade with any chemicals or abrasives! It wasn't brought up but I have seen it done countless times.
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Post by Jussi Ekholm on May 21, 2019 14:42:01 GMT
It is a real genuine Japanese sword, unfortunately the condition is quite rough.
The signature says 備前国長船住清光 Bizen no kuni Osafune jū Kiyomitsu, made by Kiyomitsu from Osafune from Bizen province. However I do think this is probably a false signature as all Kiyomitsu signatures of this style that I have in record have different order of characters, 備前国住長船清光 Bizen no kuni jū Osafune Kiyomitsu. There were lots of Kiyomitsu who worked from 1500 to 1600, and there is of course a possibility of some unknown Kiyomitsu signing in different order than the famous ones.
I do think your sword might be a Bizen sword from 1500's. There were lots of swords massproduced for warfare during that time. Unfortunately I cannot see any details in the blade, so I can't say too much about the sword.
Getting someone with knowledge to look it in person would of course be the optimal thing. Where you might be located?
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Post by djadams on May 22, 2019 23:15:30 GMT
Thanks a bunch for the added info. I am in the Bay Area in California. I had a friend who is a historian PhD with focus on japan look at it, (but not an expert at any level in swords) and he said it appeared to be 16th century from Bizen, but had no idea if it was genuine. Is there someone around San Jose or San Francisco who could give it a once over in person for me? Thanks for the info and the referrals.
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Post by randomnobody on May 22, 2019 23:47:20 GMT
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reptaronice1
Member
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Post by reptaronice1 on May 31, 2019 15:15:29 GMT
It is a real genuine Japanese sword, unfortunately the condition is quite rough. The signature says 備前国長船住清光 Bizen no kuni Osafune jū Kiyomitsu, made by Kiyomitsu from Osafune from Bizen province. However I do think this is probably a false signature as all Kiyomitsu signatures of this style that I have in record have different order of characters, 備前国住長船清光 Bizen no kuni jū Osafune Kiyomitsu. There were lots of Kiyomitsu who worked from 1500 to 1600, and there is of course a possibility of some unknown Kiyomitsu signing in different order than the famous ones. I do think your sword might be a Bizen sword from 1500's. There were lots of swords massproduced for warfare during that time. Unfortunately I cannot see any details in the blade, so I can't say too much about the sword. Getting someone with knowledge to look it in person would of course be the optimal thing. Where you might be located? funny thing in japanese bizen is pronounced like beezen
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