Kodachi, Nagamitsu

[Marius]

So, Nagamitsu from Kaga (Kashu). And the sword shows influence of Kaga Yukimitsu, or perhaps Kaga Kiyomitsu? So I was wrong with my Mino call as Kaga Seki is a bit later, right?

[cabowen]

nakago-jiri isn't consistent with earlier Kaga work.

[Marius]

Ah, yes, the famous Kashu nakago... Not sure it is always so pronounced. What is your take, Chris?

[cabowen]

It seems many of the earlier Kaga smiths were more consistent in their use of the nakago-jiri peculiar to Kaga. In later times, until shinshinto, it often isn't as pronounced.

 

When I see mei like Nagamitsu, Masamune, etc., my take is that they are usually gimei rather than some lesser known smith with the same mei. It is often times hard to prove either way. I would bet this sword would fail shinsa though as a gimei.

[austin_militaria]

Hi Rob,

I think You're asking about the strong taper of your sword's edge just above the machi. Some early tachi have this feature, called fumbari, usually described in English as standing with your legs apart. There is another meaning of fumbari but I won't go into that now.

Another explanation for the taper is that polisher/s have left this portion of the edge alone so as not to erase the ha machi. I've heard this called polisher's fumbari. Given the likely age of your sword I think this 2nd explanation fits. The blade has been polished a lot but the polishers have taken it easy on the ha machi.

Is that what you were asking about?

Grey

 

Yes, that is what I was referring to. I think too that it was created by a polisher. Thanks.