A "need to know" on a samurai

[TP Alexander]

Have a friend that has a samurai sword, katana length, for sale. Looking for $2500 for it. I see a family crest on the back of the handle. I also see something that looks like a factory stamp, but not sure.
If the pictures aren't good enough to make a determination, I will ask for more. For the moment, here is the info that he gave me and the pictures that he provided.
Thanx,
Tim

"it was made some time from 1661 to 1683. Maker is yasu tsugu from Echizen Province. Blade is really nice, never messed with from 1945 till now when i got it from the vet's attic. Blade is 27.5 long sharp on entire edge.

[TP Alexander]

2

[TP Alexander]

3

[GHP]

Ach Du Lieber Gott!!!

From what I can see:

[family mon]
康継於越前作之

Yasusugu oite Echizen Saku Kore [only the top portion of 之 is visible].
Yasusugu at Echizen Made This

１６６１年から延宝１６８０年

Here's another of his swords in full polish:









I'd buy it if I had the money!!!! (err ... if Papa and Gunto and others gave their )

This wakizashi shows what the nakago-kojiri (tang butt) probably looked like on your friend's sword before it was shortened; note also the second hole, made so the shortened sword would fit "regulation size" gunto mounts.


--Guy

[GHP]

Google search
康継於越前作之

and you'll find more! I saw a wakizashi for over $5k [in yen] -- long swords are worth more. [The ones I saw were all in a very high polish and were papered.]


--Guy

[Bob Coleman]

The Yasutsugu line of swordsmiths were supported by the Tokugawa shogunate and thus allowed to carve the Tokugawa
aoi mon on the nakago of the sword. There were numerous generations of this line with the earliest being the best work. The signature is often faked. Having the blade shortened vastly decreases the value of the blade. It is impossible from your pictures to give an opinion on the signature. If genuine, the asking price is a good buy if it is the work of one of the early men. If fake, it is way too much money.

[gunto]

We need some closeup pictures of the nakago.
Looks like a nice sword in great condition.

Ups...saw its got a broken tip.

[GHP]

We need some closeup pictures of the nakago.
Looks like a nice sword in great condition.

Ups...saw its got a broken tip.

I didn't notice (about 0.5 mm?) until you mentioned it. Two questions: (1) wouldn't such a small repair occur during repolishing without further devaluing the sword; and (2) wouldn't the polishing increase the overall value more than the tip repair would devalue it?

--Guy

[Papa Nambu]

I'd buy it if I had the money!!!! (err ... if Papa and Gunto and others gave their )

Don't look at me, Japanese militaria is my thing, I like swords, but I'm no sword expert. If I found this I'd be here asking for opinions too! I can spot the Chinese fakes, but when it comes down to knowing individual swordsmiths and such I don't have a clue.

[Stu W]

I didn't notice (about 0.5 mm?) until you mentioned it. Two questions: (1) wouldn't such a small repair occur during repolishing without further devaluing the sword; and (2) wouldn't the polishing increase the overall value more than the tip repair would devalue it?

--Guy

Hi Guy,

Assuming that the damage does not extend further than it appears to in those photos and that there are no other issues then I think that a togishi of the caliber of a Becerra or Benson will charge about 3K USD to repair and polish that blade based on their current rates. Assuming it's purchased for the asking price of 2500 USD that means it would need to be resalable at 5500 USD to be viable. Frankly, I don't see that sort of value in it, particularly with the authenticity of the mei left unresolved, although it would certainly look stunning.

Perhaps others will see it differently but in these financial times I think it's better left and loved as it is.

Regards,
Stu

[GHP]

Stu,

Thanks for that assessment -- it is very instructive and helpful. This forum is great!

--Guy

[TP Alexander]

Here are other pictures. I don't know if they are any better. The hamon is straight. There is no wave in the temper line. The vet that brought it back was in the 32nd Marines.
Tim