Ancient Japanese Swords

[Flat Rock]

I know some guys here are interested in Japanese traditional blademaking.
This is my Katate-uchi sword from around 1520 made by the swordsmith Kanemoto.
The fittings are later (Meiji) which is very common.
The sword shows small scars on the spine from battle.
This blows my mind, that I own a 500 year old sword that was carried and used by a Samurai in battle.
For all you collectors out there that need a DEEP rabbit hole to go down, Nihonto (old Japanese swords) is it.
You can spend from used Honda money to New Porsche money here......
enjoy:

 

[Flat Rock]

Here are some good shots of the Hamon

 

[Flat Rock]

Here is the spine with the battle scars:

 

[unclenunzie]

It's beautiful, and the history is amazing,

 

[Flat Rock]

The Kissaki or tip of my sword:

 

[Flat Rock]

 

[dh1633pm]

Interesting to say the least. How did you come into its possession?

 

[Flat Rock]

Interesting to say the least. How did you come into its possession?

I acquired it from a collector

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Stunning. Absolutely stunning.

 

[P89DCSS]

Especially for being 500 years old. It's common to see 150 year old Civil War swords in worse shape.

 

[Flat Rock]

Especially for being 500 years old. It's common to see 150 year old Civil War swords in worse shape.

Thankfully, Japan has a culture of preserving old swords. There are examples in Japan of 1000 year old blades. MINDBLOWING!!

 

[CapnMac]

There are examples in Japan of 1000 year old blades. MINDBLOWING!!

Precisely. Of blades old enough to have originally been cavalry tachi, and remounted, two or three times.

 

[Mk-211]

Could you imagine if that sword could speak? The stories it could tell, would be amazing!

 

[Kingcreek]

Very nice!
Years ago I was at the badger state knife show in Wisconsin. Before Internet forums existed there was a “list serve” called The Knife Collector List or TKL. A group of us met up for show and tell. One guy reached under the table and pulled out a 16th century Japanese blade. Iirc he said he paid $20k for it and said it was the best of the 5 he owned.

 

[RA40]

Fantastic! Thank you for sharing!! Such beauty in these swords.

Our trip we visited the Seki Sword Tradition Museum guided by Koji Hara. Super cool to see that many historical and modern variants. If you have the opportunity to flap over to that area of Japan: that region is fun to visit the shops in search of forged and production goodies.

Very nice!
Years ago I was at the badger state knife show in Wisconsin. Before Internet forums existed there was a “list serve” called The Knife Collector List or TKL. A group of us met up for show and tell. One guy reached under the table and pulled out a 16th century Japanese blade. Iirc he said he paid $20k for it and said it was the best of the 5 he owned.

Wow! Great to be able to see such a great piece of craftsmanship. I remember those days of TKCL, that was a great group!

​

 

[Flat Rock]

Could you imagine if that sword could speak? The stories it could tell, would be amazing!

View attachment 1186013

I think about that sometimes, it really adds to the experience of owning one of these.

 

[Flat Rock]

This is my small collection of old Japanese Tsuba, or sword guards.
These are very collectible and examples can be had from a few hundred dollars and UP.
My oldest is from the 1400's and the latest is late 1700's.
Can you guess which is oldest?

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

Top row, second from the right.

Can you guess which is oldest?

 

[Flat Rock]

Top row, second from the right.

nope, not even close

 

[1976B.L.Johns.]

nope, not even close

OK, last try, bottom right...

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Im going to guess the more elaborate, the older. Also, maybe smaller. So- the one in the center of the second picture.

 

[Flat Rock]

Im going to guess the more elaborate, the older. Also, maybe smaller. So- the one in the center of the second picture.

that one is ca. 1650

 

[Mk-211]

Bottom row, far left. Looks kinda like a chicken or a rat.

 

[Flat Rock]

Bottom row, far left. Looks kinda like a chicken or a rat.

preying mantis, ca 1600
see the head and antennae? The Japanese style is pretty weird

 

[Flat Rock]

OK, last try, bottom right...

Thats a pretty old one, ca. 1600
but not the oldest!