Ron STL Posted June 23, 2014 Report Posted June 23, 2014 Apologies for the poor photo sent to me for translation. This sword looks pretty "new" from I can tell, and may be something made by two smiths, the first being KANETADA and the other KANE? Or...the last part is actually saying something else. Only four Kanetada listed in Hawley from c.1492, 1818, 1955 and 1960. Just trying to identify the maker for the owner while satisfying my own curiosity about the full reading. Thanks! Ron STL Quote
Gabriel L Posted June 23, 2014 Report Posted June 23, 2014 I have a bad feeling about this one… were there any other photos (awful or not)? Something about this seems very off to me. The shinogi-ji seems too wide, the nakago seems to have no patina, and the characters are sloppy. Plus two Kane__ in a row is weird. Maybe it is just the poor photo though, makes it hard to properly judge. But I would not be surprised if this was a Chinese fake. Quote
Brian Posted June 23, 2014 Report Posted June 23, 2014 A mei straight down the shinogi? I'm with Gabriel here. Brian Quote
Ron STL Posted June 23, 2014 Author Report Posted June 23, 2014 Thanks guys, I had this possible concern myself when seeing the photo of the sword. The one I posted was a negative image which seemed to show the kanji clearer, but I'll post the positive image here for what it's worth. Still a fuzzy excuse for a photo! The nakago also appears brand spanking new. I didn't notice that the mei was carved right down the shinogi, but that certainly points to fakeroo work! I never saw a dual smith mei that was written like this (without more of a statement). If my friend has put money on this...uh..."sword"...guess he needs to learn more about swords. I'll wait and see if anyone else cares to comment on this and then pass on the (what looks like) bad news. Thanks for the additional "eyes" looking at this. Looks like the last Kane--- will not make much difference if it's understood or not. Thanks Ron STL Quote
Peter Bleed Posted June 23, 2014 Report Posted June 23, 2014 Ron, I can't make this one, either. My Chinese is not good enough! Peter Quote
Ron STL Posted June 23, 2014 Author Report Posted June 23, 2014 Peter, Peter, Peter...you said it all. Thanks all. Ron STL Quote
k morita Posted June 23, 2014 Report Posted June 23, 2014 Hi, Not dual smith mei. :lol: The mei is "Kanematsu(family name) kanehide." 兼 松 兼 英 WW2 period,Seki smith. Quote
Gabriel L Posted June 23, 2014 Report Posted June 23, 2014 The lesson is, "it ain't over 'till the fat lady sings." :lol: I was skeptical, but knowing there is a WWII smith with this name, I am doing a 180° on it… still would like to see photos of the sword itself. Quote
Brian Posted June 24, 2014 Report Posted June 24, 2014 Thank you Morita san, particularly for showing us that second opinions (or even thirds) are always a wise move Brian Quote
Lee Bray Posted June 25, 2014 Report Posted June 25, 2014 A mei straight down the shinogi?I'm with Gabriel here. Brian Shodai and nidai Tadatsuna centred their mei on the shinogi. http://www.militaria.co.za/nihontomessa ... php?t=1861 Certainly not usual, but as it often seems with Nihonto, there's always the exception. Quote
Ron STL Posted June 25, 2014 Author Report Posted June 25, 2014 Honestly, I'm amazed at the findings here. The mei centered down the shinogi seemed absolutely not what one would expect on a Japanese swords. I just checked my nidai Tadatsuna and sure enough, the mei is carved right down the shinogi! I've had this Tadatsuna for quite a few years and have shared it with others; nobody ever commented on the placement of the mei. Fifty years and counting...and still learning fresh information. Ron STL Quote
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