Ed

Was watching this one, but it exceeded my budget at 1,501,000¥. Hope one of you guys ended up winning this.

Ok, since there has been participation and everyone seems to be having fun I will give it a little longer. *NOTE: Please keep in mind the goal is to point out any in the provided group of photos which you feel may be gimei. Please try to be clear in your answers. For instance: Jussi, you stated that 5, 6, 8 are legit. Does this mean you feel all of the others are gimei? Jeremiah, are you indicating that your guess for gimei is #6 only? ??

Brian, There is at least one shoshin example in the group. *Note: #7 was the only tanto example I could find, the others are Katana or Wakizashi. That may account for the odd looking nakago ana placement.

I have been studying the works of Suishinshi Masahide and have found there to be many variations of known good mei. It seems as though throughout his long career of sword making his mei exhibit subtle changes. Now, I realize this is not uncommon for a persons writing or in this case inscribing to change as we age due to the loss of physical strength, manual dexterity, etc. In order to get your unbiased opinions, and if you care to participate, please look over the following examples and tell me which of them, if any, you think may be gimei. *Edit: There is at least one shoshin example in the group. #7 was the only tanto example I could find, the others are Katana or Wakizashi. That may account for the odd looking nakago ana placement. The answer will be given in a reasonable amount of time, if anyone participates. Thanks, Ed

Alex, yes it is amazing at how precise steel can be manipulated by an experienced blacksmith. There are many traditional blacksmiths who will only use hand tools, no machinery. Personally, while I admire the traditionalists, I like my tools. I'm still pretty tough for an old man, but age and experience has taught me to work smart not hard. However, tools bring a lot of safety issues into the mix. Every time I see someone not using a vise to hold their work in a drill press, I cringe. This is the result of such carelessness. I keep these posted beside mine.

Ken, I didn't want to sidetrack this post, but since the OP has decided to pass I will second the point regarding chiseled vs punched nakago ana. If they were not drilled, they were punched hot as Steve described. Steel was red hot, punch cold (or cooler than red hot steel). A punch is tapered, which is why punched nakago ana are tapered. The tapered hole is what identifies a punched nakago ana from a drilled one. This was done prior to the existence or the availability of a drill. The technique is still used today by traditional blacksmiths as shown in this video. For some things a chisel is used along with a drift for making an opening in a larger chunk of steel such as a handle slot for an axe or tomahawk. A drift is a larger punch of sorts. The piece is heated to red hot then the hole is started and initially opened with a chisel, the enlarged with the drift. See below.

Wow, I have been on vacation for a few days and a lot has happened. I hate to hear Ford suffered a heart attack, but am thankful he is recovering and wish him well.

I don't have any which were over cleaned, then repatinated and papered. In essence the ones previously posted had the patina scrubbed (filed) off when the mei was removed. They were repatinated and papered, so yes it is possible and does happen.

Over cleaned and papered?

Forgot about this one. It was originally signed "Norishige" . http://yakiba.com/Tanto_Tanemitsu.htm

Someone is wabbit cwazy, this one finished at $1005.94

I agree with Guido, there is obvious loss to the nunome as the cross hatching is so prominent. Very common as the process is fine gold/silver leaf is gently tapped into the cross-hatching. A bit of soap and water might bring it out the color/shine a bit if it was intended to be brighter than it appears. Careful though, did I mention only the cross-hatching is all there is holding the nunome in place.

Ken, I was pretty lucky for three mokume tsuba by the same smith to find me. No plans to sell at this time.

Third and final Mokume Tsuba by Tsuguhide.

Hmm, I would disagree, I have picked many swords and said, "Wow, nice menuki". Have bought a number of tsuka and/or koshirae to have the menuki (same with F/K). Menuki are an integral part of the koshirae. They show prominently on a mounted sword displayed in a stand. Just my 2¥

Labeling the store front photos would be a good addition.

Great job Ray!!

No worries. I was just glad that all the vet did was clean the nakago with a little naval jelly. Fortunately, he didn't take a grinder or sandpaper to it. He actually gave the sword to me and thought he was doing me a favor by cleaning it, so what could I say, other than thank you. I rushed home and neutralized the nakago with a baking soda wash, as that naval jelly contains muriatic acid. BTW: I suspect your sword is gimei.

Lev, I remember that story , though it is a katana not wakizashi (24.375" nagasa).

That is the example I was going to post, but some young whipper-snapper beat me to it . Hadn't realized until today while re-reading the listing, that I had not included a bit of background on the mei removal. The tanto was originally signed Yasuyoshi (Sa), which at the time caused a good deal of excitement. It was even published in the NTHK magazine. However, it failed to pass the US NTHK shinsa in 1989. The then owner had the mei professionally removed, and re-submitted it to the NBTHK were it received the current attribution. Personally, I wish it had been re-submitted at least once more before removing the mei, but c'est la vie.

Learned something new today. Like others, I have seen these designs but took them a simple abstract designs.

In this instance Hawley's or any other text only book will not help you. Those two smiths did sign as yours is signed ie; Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi and Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi. The new pictures don't help except to point out negatives, at least one chip in ha, scattered rust, looks like suguba. Can't see any sudare ba. ??? What you need is oshigata or clear photos of known good mei to compare to the two mei on the sword in question. Look at the ones below. I think the probability of gimei is high. I would not touch this. And I would recommend you do the same unless it is all you can afford or is a give away (dirt cheap). If you are looking for something from the Mishina school, I have a Tango no Kami Kanemichi wakizashi which is ubu, signed and has two sets of papers for $1800. That's dirt cheap and a way better sword: http://http://yakiba.com/Daisho_Wak_Tango_no_Kami_Kanemichi.htm

If I remember correctly the shodai Tanba signed with kiku (can't remember if the later generations did, but I think not), also Yamato did not sign with kiku. If, IF the mei are legit, dates would be mid to late 1600's.

It appears to be a collaborative work between the Osaka based Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi and Kyoto based Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi, though the quality of the mei looks questionable. Could be later generations. You should be looking at the hataraki in the blade.

Amy, Where are you located? Perhaps there is a group, member or someone known within the Nihonto community nearby you could speak with or even pay a visit to.