Ray Singer

Signature: 古山陸奥介弘元 (Furuyama Mutsu [no] Suke Hiromoto) Date: 天保 ニニ年八月日 (Tenpō yon nen hachi gatsu hi ) - A day in the 8th month of 1833 An example of his work on this page, 4th sword down. http://www.choshuya.co.jp/1/0712/thanks_sword.htm

My question was more about the stylistic treatment of the horimono itself. This seems quite different from, for example, the way that the subject matter is treated in such swords as Koryu Kagemitsu, Kanze Masamune, and others of the purported time period. This has a Edo feel to it, to my eyes.

I would very much like to see an example of a Nambokucho-period horimono on this style.

Your sword is signed Bishu Osafune ju Morimitsu saku and is dated to the eight month of Bunmei 12 (1480). I do have some doubts about the authenticity of the signature. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunmei You can see some authentic examples from Bizen Morimitsu here. https://www.aoijapan.net/?s=Morimitsu&x=0&y=0

Tanobe-sensei generally prefers to give sayagaki for swords with existing NBTHK kanteisho and for blades of Tokubetsu Hozon class or higher (or blades which meet the requirement to pass Tokubetsu Hozon). While I believe he will make exceptions, that seems to be what is most typical. As far as not receiving detailed information in NBTHK kanteisho, you will get verification of the mei (when present), school and sometimes more detailed information pointing to a specific lineage (such as Kyo or Osaka Yoshimichi) and the generation. The length is also stated. NTHK kanteisho will give some more specifics about the jitetsu, hamon, boshi, etc however those details are largely self evident with a bit of study. Shotoku: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sh%C5%8Dtoku_(era)

Shotoku is simply the time period, not particularly rare in itself. Dates (nengo) typically begin with the time period. As Jean mentioned dates to the 2nd and 8th month are the most common. I've always found swords that were dated shogatsu, the first month, to be interesting because it is said that the smith tries to start off the year with his best work.

Kyoho 10 does appear to be the date. The sandai's working period is up 1716, but perhaps he worked beyond this? Is 1716 his date of death or simply the end of his representative working period (Shotoku). Best regards, Ray

Jim Kurrasch RIP.

能 makes sense. Was frequently used in the Ryokai group.

Jon, the first portion is Ryokai Fujiwara...

Seki Kanesada

As others are, I am interested to see what insights this gives on the early Soshu smiths. The theory that Masamune was a fabricated smith (the Imamura Choga argument) is still being debated online.

https://markussesko.com/2017/12/26/the-new-oldest-extant-sword-document/

Oshu Aizu ju Miyoshi Masanaga (swordsmith name and full mei)...

Kyoho ju nen hachi gatsu hi (a day in the tenth month of 1725)

For the first time that I can remember, Japanesesword.com has launched a new website. https://japanesesword.com

http://www.pref.saga.lg.jp/kiji00359345/index.html

Credit to Wataru Hara for sharing this. One of the earliest extant references. "A news report on discovery of newly recognised sword document from the Ryuzoji clan document circa 1351." https://r.nikkei.com/article/DGXMZO25053840V21C17A2ACYZ00

It seems likely that the individual who gave you this sword did not do his homework. Regardless, please listen to the advice given by Jean and Ken... Best regards, Ray

Moroba naginata are rare but I have seen a couple. Here is one which was discussed on the board previously...

Absolutely, sorry about that. Here are the dimensions: Yoshisuke / Gisuke Nagasa: 15 3/8" / 39cm Moto-haba: 1 1/4" / 3.1cm Kasane: 6mm Shimada Nagasa: 15"/38cm Moto-haba: 1 1/8" / 2.6cm Kasane: 5.5mm Widest point: 1 3/8" / 3.5cm

Thanks Jean . The Yoshisuke here is especially beautiful. If anyone were looking for a beautiful Soshu-den...

I have to say that I like the sugata of this sword. It is almost like what you would expect to see in a Satsu-age naginata, but clearly the sword was made this way (looking at the kaeri). I have not checked references, but would assume that the is gimei (for Nanki Shigekuni)... Roughly speaking, this is what I mean by a satsu-age (repaired) naginata however I have no doubt that the example here has it's original sugata.

Looking very likely that I will make it there next year. I will also bring a Nobukuni (late Nambokucho) that you may want to compare with your recent purchase...

For reference, there is a Ko-Uda Kunifusa (Norishige student) pictured below. The relationship to Norishige can be clearly seen. Also, an oshigata of a Norishige I own.