Real Muramasa?

trenchwarfare · 27th July 2009, 05:09 PM

I have heard that, for every 10 swords, with famous signatures, 8 are fakes. The other 2 are questionable.

Rich · 27th July 2009, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trenchwarfare

I have heard that, for every 10 swords, with famous signatures, 8 are fakes. The other 2 are questionable.

I've heard that for every 10 swords by famous smiths, 11 are fakes !

Rich S

Jim McDougall · 28th July 2009, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

I've heard that for every 10 swords by famous smiths, 11 are fakes !

Rich S

Oh Rich! Ive told ya a million times not to exaggerate!!!

Seriously, glad to see you in on this, few people I know can touch your knowledge on nihonto (now that I looked the word up and hope Im using it correctly

All best regards,
Jim

sirupate · 28th July 2009, 11:45 AM

I have my serious doubts about it being a Muramasa, I've only ever handled one Muramasa in some 34 years!

Jim McDougall · 28th July 2009, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirupate

I have my serious doubts about it being a Muramasa, I've only ever handled one Muramasa in some 34 years!

That is fantastic Sirupate! Thats a monumental one more than I've even come close to. It would really be exciting to actually handle one of these legendary blades, and more on the one you handled? I love to hear about these kind of adventures.

All the best,
Jim

Atlantia · 28th July 2009, 09:45 PM

Not a lot to add, in fact I find my thoughts esentially mirroring Jims. I do think that if this were a definate Muramasa, then eBay would be the last place to sell it.
I have no data on the current market value of a genuine tanto blade of this maker, but I would have thought significantly more than 5k?

Anything like this should be in a specialist auction where the auction house can add its 'weight' to the validity of the piece, and buyers or their agents can handle the thing in person.

I wonder if the seller had it appraised and the best opinion offered was that its probobly a 17thC forgery.

That said, it looks a nice blade, and the price is certainly a goodly wad of cash! I'd be interested to know where its path leads now.

Well, assuming its new owner can resist the urge to go on a killing spree or do himself in with it

sirupate · 29th July 2009, 06:29 PM

Hello Jim,

Sorry for the late reply, it was a good 23-25 years ago now and I was very lucky to be shown it by a top UK collector, who had it in his collection. It was the first Japanese sword that I held with a legendry name, and I had only been collecting for a little bit then, being more involved with the MA side of Japanese swords.
I was totaly in awe of the beautiful sword and a little bit nervous about handling it, protocol being followed exactly, it was the first time I was asked to have a silk cloth put in my mouth so moisture wouldn't accidentley get on the blade!!
I was also relieved when I didn't get any urges to go round cutting people with it!!

Cheers Simon

27th July 2009, 05:09 PM	#1
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	I have heard that, for every 10 swords, with famous signatures, 8 are fakes. The other 2 are questionable.

28th July 2009, 11:45 AM	#4
sirupate Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: England Posts: 373	I have my serious doubts about it being a Muramasa, I've only ever handled one Muramasa in some 34 years!

28th July 2009, 09:45 PM	#6
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Not a lot to add, in fact I find my thoughts esentially mirroring Jims. I do think that if this were a definate Muramasa, then eBay would be the last place to sell it. I have no data on the current market value of a genuine tanto blade of this maker, but I would have thought significantly more than 5k? Anything like this should be in a specialist auction where the auction house can add its 'weight' to the validity of the piece, and buyers or their agents can handle the thing in person. I wonder if the seller had it appraised and the best opinion offered was that its probobly a 17thC forgery. That said, it looks a nice blade, and the price is certainly a goodly wad of cash! I'd be interested to know where its path leads now. Well, assuming its new owner can resist the urge to go on a killing spree or do himself in with it

29th July 2009, 06:29 PM	#7
sirupate Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: England Posts: 373	Hello Jim, Sorry for the late reply, it was a good 23-25 years ago now and I was very lucky to be shown it by a top UK collector, who had it in his collection. It was the first Japanese sword that I held with a legendry name, and I had only been collecting for a little bit then, being more involved with the MA side of Japanese swords. I was totaly in awe of the beautiful sword and a little bit nervous about handling it, protocol being followed exactly, it was the first time I was asked to have a silk cloth put in my mouth so moisture wouldn't accidentley get on the blade!! I was also relieved when I didn't get any urges to go round cutting people with it!! Cheers Simon