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- Oct 20, 2008
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Just wanted to share some pics and a story of a Nihonto that I got
I know it's shoptalk, but I wanted you all specifically to see it.
My in-laws had a sword in their closet. I first saw it on Washington state, before they moved to Hawaii. It moved with them.
I inquired about it and even went so far as to use my Yumoto book to translate three kanji on the tang as Kanenori, Mino.
Later they found the papers that came with it, signed by Hakusui Inami in Japan. The papers stated it was made in Keichiyo Era. (Keicho, 1592-1610.)
When I took it out again last year in Hawaii, the blade had rusted much more. I was worried about it. Since these guys live in Kaneohe, which is near Honolulu, I searched around and found Robert Benson. I called him, and explained that I hoped I could have him take a quick look at it and give me some advice about halting the damage. He said to come on over.
We drove out to his house and studio in beautiful Manoa. A nice and knowledgeable guy, he told me it appeared authentic and filled me in on some details like Keichiyo - Keicho, and remarked in general about it suguha hamon, etc.
He told me that it would cost in the neighborhood of probably $1800+ to fully polish it, and that in present condition it was worth probably $1500 or so. After polish, he said it would depend what had emerged to finally value it. No matter, its staying in the family, its just good to get an idea.
He told me if I wanted to take the brown rust layer off, to use fine sandpaper- he told me 400 grit, I used 1000 since I have it and am cautious!
When I took it back to Kaneohe and related the conversation, my wifes folks said that that they had decided to give it to me, since I would be able to take care of it better than they. I was floored, and agreed to act as its custodian.
Enough words, here are some pics. They first show the blade in the condition it was in, and then after 1000 grit rust removal.
It has WWII era army mountings, with a family crest. The saya is separating and needs to be taken apart, cleaned, and re-glued. Not sure how to do this with lacquered wood, other than totally stripping and re-lacquering it.
The blade itself did not actually pit under the rust as badly as I had feared. I am guessing it would need to be brought back to binsui or kaisei, not arato- but what do I know. There are a couple of small weld flaws visible in the ha near the habaki. The habaki itself looks older and nicer than the gunto furniture, and IIRC Robert Benson said so.
Anyway, thanks for looking, tell me what you think, Id love to get this polished one day and would probably get Robert Benson to do it when that day comes I really appreciated his help and want to go back and see his studio next time. (It was being worked on when we visited.)
My in-laws had a sword in their closet. I first saw it on Washington state, before they moved to Hawaii. It moved with them.
I inquired about it and even went so far as to use my Yumoto book to translate three kanji on the tang as Kanenori, Mino.
Later they found the papers that came with it, signed by Hakusui Inami in Japan. The papers stated it was made in Keichiyo Era. (Keicho, 1592-1610.)
When I took it out again last year in Hawaii, the blade had rusted much more. I was worried about it. Since these guys live in Kaneohe, which is near Honolulu, I searched around and found Robert Benson. I called him, and explained that I hoped I could have him take a quick look at it and give me some advice about halting the damage. He said to come on over.
We drove out to his house and studio in beautiful Manoa. A nice and knowledgeable guy, he told me it appeared authentic and filled me in on some details like Keichiyo - Keicho, and remarked in general about it suguha hamon, etc.
He told me that it would cost in the neighborhood of probably $1800+ to fully polish it, and that in present condition it was worth probably $1500 or so. After polish, he said it would depend what had emerged to finally value it. No matter, its staying in the family, its just good to get an idea.
He told me if I wanted to take the brown rust layer off, to use fine sandpaper- he told me 400 grit, I used 1000 since I have it and am cautious!
When I took it back to Kaneohe and related the conversation, my wifes folks said that that they had decided to give it to me, since I would be able to take care of it better than they. I was floored, and agreed to act as its custodian.
Enough words, here are some pics. They first show the blade in the condition it was in, and then after 1000 grit rust removal.
It has WWII era army mountings, with a family crest. The saya is separating and needs to be taken apart, cleaned, and re-glued. Not sure how to do this with lacquered wood, other than totally stripping and re-lacquering it.
The blade itself did not actually pit under the rust as badly as I had feared. I am guessing it would need to be brought back to binsui or kaisei, not arato- but what do I know. There are a couple of small weld flaws visible in the ha near the habaki. The habaki itself looks older and nicer than the gunto furniture, and IIRC Robert Benson said so.
Anyway, thanks for looking, tell me what you think, Id love to get this polished one day and would probably get Robert Benson to do it when that day comes I really appreciated his help and want to go back and see his studio next time. (It was being worked on when we visited.)
I am sure you would like it to survive for centuries more after you and the rest of us are long gone.
