Lewis B

Yes, I had a conversation with Andrew before I decided to purchase the tanto. That option is certainly an avenue to consider, but he is also heavily in demand and for good reason.

Good questions. Ultimately the blade has to speak for itself irrespective of the mei. Tanobe has seen the blade in its current state and I was relieved this was the first time in his hands. He commented on the current poor condition (not surprised), primarily regarding the hamon. As for the mei, he agreed with the 2018 Shinsa that more research was needed, that the mei has an archaic style and most importantly at this stage, that the mei was not obviously gimei. Regarding the blade itself, what ticks the boxes for me?: 1) sugata is typical late Kamakura (confirmed by Tanobe) 2) referencing the 1306 tanto also with atypical mitsu kanji. The style and positioning of the boshi relative to the tip and Ha, the length, form and position of the single koshi-bi horimono on the omote side, the sugata and the nagasa. All these aspects closely match the 1306 blade. A reviewer of this blade in the 80's stated the style of mei reminded him of Yukimitsu thus opening the possibility the 1306 tanto might be daimei-daisaku Yukimitsu (its also been argued the Midare-Shintogo tanto is Yukimitsu's work). All this evidence suggests to me both blades originated in the same workshop and around the same time. The coincidence is too strong to ignore. 3) the boshi and deki from what I saw in the dealers photos is typical Shintogo. Flowing bands of chikei, nie-rich kaeru boshi tending to hakikake and thin nie-based suguha hamon. Couldn't see any kinsuji under the poor lighting and through the oxidized surface outer layer. Hopefully the polish will reveal a lot more subtle detail eg ji-nie, for which Shintogo is renowned. A full polish has been requested. I'm just waiting to hear back from the togishi after he has inspected it to know if he will accept the commission. If my first choice is reluctant I will find another top level togishi with experience polishing Soshuden blades. One way or another it will be polished to preserve it going forward. If the polished blade really does have an air of the Soshu grandmaster it will be submitted for Shinsa together with as much supporting evidence as I can find to give the panel a reason to accept the sword as daimei. My goal is that it passes Hozon, at best TH but that might be expecting too much, however I will have a better idea of its potential after a sympathetic polish.

Right again. To go from nijimei to a more complex and comprehensive signing style seems unusual if chiseled by Shintogo himself who appears to have been more of a traditionalist (very few dated blades with archetypical nijimei signatures). This is more in keeping with Kunihiro as in the following example. Full inscription on the omote is Bonji + "Kunihiro Kamakura-jūnin"(Kunihiro Resident of Kamakura).

Fascinating. Close examination of the Mei shows how close it is to the depiction in the Kotō Meizukushi Taizen The nengo looks pretty worn in comparison to the Mei on the omote side, so not that surprising a mistake occurred. So this appears to be dated 1314. What intrigues me are the 1 or 2 characters below the Kunimitsu kanji. 'something' 'something' mitsu? Why would there be 2 separate names here? Owner and maker?

That one also appears to be dated Shōwa 2 (1313). Which begs the question why Shintogo would sign with 5+ characters around this time? The Mei for kuni & mitsu are quite atypical taken together. Could Kunihiro have signed with his father's Mei around the time the Master was supposed to have died (1312/13) and him taking control of the atelier? Could there have been a commercial benefit to have signed in such a way? Kunihiro was yet to establish himself as an artisan in his own right in the early 1310's and perhaps doing this might have bought himself some time to develop a reputation in his own right. The earliest known pieces, signed Kunihiro, date around 1317.

Thanks Jussi. I think you're spot on.

Another interesting data point from the historical records. This time a page from the Kotō Meizukushi Taizen. On the same page the author shows examples of the archetypical Shintogo Kunimitsu Mei (blue) and hybrid (purple) with a semi-slant to the central line in Kuni. Clearly the author is differentiating between some diverse signature styles or, hard to believe, just sloppy. The Mei in the red box has a slanting line and atypical mitsu kanji, yet there is full zaimei inscription for Shintogo Kunimitsu. Are either of these nengo (green) 1293, which would be the earliest known dated blade signed by Shintogo? And then we have the tachi Mei on the right. All very curious. While there is much debate surrounding the dates and attributions to generations of related swordsmiths, the Kotō Meizukushi Taizen is said to be a reliable resource for accurate depictions of blade engravings.

Just to update the archive. Here is a Norishige tachi mei showing what appears to me to be the application of a fine chisel with a light chiseling style. Characteristic tilting of the kanji following the contour of the nakago.

Glad to hear I wasn't the only one. Back in the 80's, in my late teens, I was stitching Liberty pattern fabric on one sleeve of my denim jacket in a vain attempt to look hip. I even had the bandana tied around ankle. I hope some things like platform shoes and flared jeans with the high waistband never make a comeback.

So the conclusion is that the Kozan Oshigata references a blade signed and dated by Norishige to 1310 from the Enkei era (1308-1311) ie Enkei 3. There is another slightly earlier signed blade dated Enkei 2 (1309) in the Umetada Oshigata. I believe this is actually the very earliest known dated work by Norishige. AI does not have access to an image of this Nakago. If anyone has a copy of the book in their reference library could you upload the image of the Mei and nenki?

A laudable gesture.

This one on the other hand. Rough comes to mind. Yet its Juyo from problematic 1975 Shinsa. Would it get Juyo today? Methinks not. https://www.aoijapan.com/katana-mumei-aoe-schoolthe-25th-juyo-token/

It's often said utsuri is ethereal but 3 blades I've seen recently including Aoe #5 its just screaming out. The others were a Den Chogi and Kagemitsu. Gorgeous pieces I would love to own if only my pockets were deep enough.

katananokura.jp say they will not ship outside Japan. Shame because they get some nice pieces.

Here you go https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/336125973144?_skw=kabuto&itmmeta=01K3DV6HPMPB48N5AYXZFZ3M7Z&hash=item4e42ab5298:g:WlwAAeSwFSVonqlS&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAAwFkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1cjQcwGybFcZSHjLdp1gHiMZfRbnzvHeCpWfwk%2FXAt3StTY5xsjSAcgt9RxVxv%2Ft%2FSV5x0fpbsPcgcmMG%2BNbWxDifwKSnFn2zF2SYLJGt1zppUjJUICT4N7sK%2BhkSEMIcexHY1684PQVv0HJO%2BzGj8nBp%2F6G86OzwEkL%2FUdqf2OzV%2B6M6ezQxNjCceKL6SfyAe4J0QRveGtCSJetVukcQ%2BKfoYrQcV%2FT48Luz9WREu4SA%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR7qbmrubZg

Thanks Alex. I'm not familiar with value of koshirae and fittings. Do you really think the tsuba is worth that much in its current condition. Looks like someone took a rather aggressive abrasive to it and remove the patina (rust?).

He was made a second chance offer after the auction failed to reach reserve, so it hasn't been purchased yet. I would try an negotiate a little. What price would people put on the koshirae which certainly has some value.

Based on the poor pics the blade looks very tired ie seen a few too many polishes in its life. Almost zero hamachi remaining and appears to have been shortened fairly recently. Ask if the seller is negotiable. The koshirae certainly has some value. I quite like the green saya. Going by the photography and the surface material it appears to be this dealer in Japan or from one of his other Ebay accounts. Seller has no qualms about selling gimei blades. Buy the seller. https://www.ebay.com/itm/357269604814?_skw=kanesada+wakizashi&itmmeta=01K3DPRDHYKAXV0W5W3R99PVW7&hash=item532eed89ce:g:yLUAAeSwlxtocLvi&pfm=1

My bad. Friday afternoon brainfarct. Not Miyamoto Kanenori but a Minamoto Kiyomaro. Oops

Maybe the images are not clear enough but the red of the mabizashi looks painted and not urushi.

Did you see this one? Looks like a typical Komonji special (using a different account) with a highly suspicious Mei https://www.ebay.com/itm/357446403657?_skw=kiyomaru+minamoto&itmmeta=01K393CW34D29P7P31RQYYGKYZ&hash=item5339774649:g:2uoAAeSw~NlomqBA&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1fYEPWEn2w05cfWeR0uvrjYxfaer6hr51Fg%2BVuz%2BbsWU4MSmTSro%2Bzvbvm6bsa3%2BEcsbJvf1uBaHh8750nWmUC7v%2FZpZPt8Fnrh026bbjwoVDNF4JeaDqBA1uzWisIj0iUID%2FO8T6r%2BKt%2B%2BFQGll9iORES2zShHAge9sMgq1EKyKMbdTnRbHKab%2B6%2BDB7hktfear6lAU5tkl2WuKvry2PQvTIN3s4e2O9SvIl0bDJ%2BpKjw7O6sL0aDuch5WNWzVcFO%2F23yKejKxyvSCckIUMJh6roqgjL1Ze9op8hh2oTdIUA%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR9zBs6OaZg

Second sword was kodachi purchased a year ago from Ginza Choshuya. This was chosen more with the heart this time. TH, ex-Tsukamoto Museum blade, Yamato and Soshu features. Only shirasaya this time and I asked the dealer to see if Tanobe would add the sayagaki, which he agreed to do. The hataraki on the blade is more than I hoped. With a macro lens and the correct lighting all the fine Nie formations can be seen. Third and most recent purchase was purely acquired with the heart and a modicum of hope that others see what I saw. Horyu papers, out of polish, dated 1308 but Mei for a grand master. Tanobe has seen the tanto and agrees with the 2018 Shinsa panel that more research is needed to ascertain the veracity of the Mei.... at least he didn't give it the kiss of death and proclaim it gimei... so winning. Yes, it's not in the best condition but I bought it as a survivor that is worthy of saving. Not everything in the collection has to tick all the boxes. Would I buy another, probably not, but in this case I can justify it as part of the collection of Koto era swords. The price was OK at a fraction of what an ubu Kamakura era tanto by a big name goes for these days and came with a decent saya. Next purchase will be a statement piece which will check most of the boxes. It's currently being examined by a top level togishi who I hope will accept the commission. I'm certain he will do what is best for the blade to preserve it and bring out the finer detail in the hada which I'm sure is hiding behind the light surface oxidation. Whatever the outcome Tanobe says it has a sugata consistent with the date inscribed on the nakago and the Mei/date will not be removed even if, at the next submission for Shinsa, it fails to yield a positive result.

First blade purchased 14 months ago at the Japan Art Expo. A TH Yamato Shikkake in good polish. I played it safe and got a blade in shirasaya with Tanobe sayagaki and custom made Tensho koshirae created by the Osafune Museum workshop. Knew exactly what I was buying, thought about it for 3 days and then made an offer which the dealer accepted. Tanobe said it had Juyo potential and I found out later it had been submitted in 2023 but failed to progress. He suggested to resubmit and since 2023 was a tough year, I may do this in the future. Papers, at least trying myself to get higher level papers, are becoming less of a preoccupation as I progress in the hobby.

And not just seeing swords. You have to hold them and observe them under the appropriate lighting. I saw a TJ Den Yukimitsu recently with a fineness in the workmanship that could only be fully appreciated with eyeballs a few inches away from the blade. If this had been displayed behind a glass panel with less than ideal lighting at the wrong angle, the beauty of it would have been missed. When you hear people say they were almost moved to tears by a sword that Yukimitsu was a prime example. Thats when you really get it.