Help With Yasuchika Mei

[Surfson]

Hi All.  I could use some help from the fittings experts as to whether this mei looks right for Yasuchika.  It is on a sword I am considering and if the mounts are shoshin from Yasuchika, that would make a big difference.  Cheers, Bob

 

[Brian]

Pretty sure you know that the first question is going to be for pics of the kashira. The work confirms the mei, not the other way round. From the little I can see, I am not too hopeful though. Not for THE Yasuchika anyways.

[peterd]

As Brian said.

[Surfson]

Thanks Brian and Peter.   I remembered that I have the Nara Sansaku book, which has dozens of his signatures.  Even though the work is very good, I don't think the mei looks right.  

[TheGermanBastard]

Hello Bob,

 

that's from teh Nobukuni Tachi I assume?

 

I can unfortuantely not give you a qualified answer. Atleast it is does not look like a good match for the images provided by Peter. But this said I thought the work in your Kodugu to be very nice.

[Ford Hallam]

Probably worth remembering that the first 4 generations of the Yasuchika school all used the same two kanji in their mei.

[Surfson]

That is helpful Ford, and I didn't pay attention to the generations as I looked at examples in the book.  Having said that, I found at least one important feature not found in any of the examples.  Luis, no, it's on a different sword.  This is on a juyo Shikkake blade that is in the auction at aoi art now.  Here is the link.  I really like the blade and the mounts.  I also thought that if the mounts are shoshin Yasuchika, it would be a screaming good deal.  Take a look at the mounts and tell me what you think.  Cheers, Bob  

 

http://www.sword-auction.jp/en/content/as17545-刀：無銘尻懸-第25回重要刀剣-katana-mumei-shikkake25th-nbthk-juyo-paper

 

I will post some photos of the Nobukuni once I get them.  

[nagamaki - Franco]

Merry Christmas,

 

It should be simple enough to ask AOI if they stand behind the mei and seeing how they respond. 

[Surfson]

That's a fair point Franco.  If Tsuruta san is unwilling to guarantee it, then it is probably not shoshin.  Cheers, Bob