Sadaharu Gendaito?

[pcfarrar]

A friend has a katana in gunto mounts, which is signed Sadaharu (no stamps).

 

Does anyone have any information on this smith? It looks like the sword is a gendaito.

 

I wondered if this is an earlier signature of Akimune or a completely different smith?

 

Thanks,

 

Peter

[SwordGuyJoe]

Tough smith to find! All I was able to find is a modern day smith in Marcus' e-Index. It says he is from Osaka, lists a few mei different than your friends: "Settsu Moriguchi-ju Kawai Minamoto Sadaharu" and "Settsu-ju Sadaharu Saku". His given name is Kawai Kenji. Not sure if he is your guy or not.

[pcfarrar]

Thanks Joe, I read in one of the gendai books that Akimune (pupil of Akihide) signed Sadaharu at one point in his working life? Do you think its possible this sword could be by him?

[cabowen]

Pictures of the blade would help.

[pcfarrar]

Unfortunately you can't see anything in the blade due to its current condition. You can just about make out a suguha hamon but that's it.

[cabowen]

I could see the shape, the proportions of the nakago and blade, the omote of the nakago, etc.....They are all clues.

[SwordGuyJoe]

Thanks Joe, I read in one of the gendai books that Akimune (pupil of Akihide) signed Sadaharu at one point in his working life? Do you think its possible this sword could be by him?

 

Chris is the guy to tell you. He has extensively studied the Tokyo-den smiths.

[pcfarrar]

Sorry I don't have access to the blade to get any more photos. I have these but I'm not sure they are good enough to help much.

 

I didn't mention previously but the blade is not dated.

[cabowen]

While I can't be sure without seeing the blade, judging from what I can see, I think it doubtful that this is an early work by Akimune.