A Suishinshi Katana 1770/80's

[Shugyosha]

It's not so much the absence of the stamp - it might have been there originally before the blade was shortened, but that the kanji are written in a completely different style.

 

Also, what I do find a little odd is the four kanji above the mei 秋方家臣 - I would expect the second kanji to be 元 giving Akimoto kashin (a retainer of the Akimoto) for whom he was working from 1774. As it is written, these kanji don't make any sense to me (Akikata kashin) and it would seem odd that a swordsmith working for a particular clan would misspell the clan name, but, I too am learning and usually get these things corrected by those that know better.

 

Best regards,

John

[Jean]

I am not a specialist in mei. But if we compare the pictures above, the sword on the left has its signature centered on the shinogi (ridge line) the right one is centered on the hiraji (flat side).

[Tai]

If i was worried about the condition of my sword I am no longer after looking at kunitaro's post

 

Before Polishing

 

After Polishing

[Ed]

Shinsa in Tampa, Feb. 2016.  Send it to Chris Bowen, he is the shinsa organizer and offers a mail in service.

[Kai-Gunto]

Nice sword. Take care it.

[ROKUJURO]

Tai, please sign all your posts with at least your real first name plus an initial, which is the rule here.

Your upper NAKAGO photos are upside-down and difficult to read. What I think I can read without books is:

KAWA XX HACHIRO FUJIWARA MASA (HIDE).

The HIDE is a probabilty, but not safe as the NAKAGO was shortened a bit (SURIAGE). Even if it was a MASAHIDE, it is not necessary SUISHINSHI MASAHIDE, and as there are a lot of faked signatures of this one, it might be more desirable to have a true but lesser famous smith than a falsely signed one.

My advice: Take your time to identify the smith, see a real NIHONTO expert for that and get information about care and maintenance. Then go ahead to restoration by Japanese experts (not your scissors-grinder from the corner), if the sword is worth it and if your budget allows.

[Tai]

Tai, please sign all your posts with at least your real first name plus an initial, which is the rule here.

 

Your upper NAKAGO photos are upside-down and difficult to read. What I think I can read without books is:

 

KAWA XX HACHIRO FUJIWARA MASA (HIDE).

 

The HIDE is a probabilty, but not safe as the NAKAGO was shortened a bit (SURIAGE). Even if it was a MASAHIDE, it is not necessary SUISHINSHI MASAHIDE, and as there are a lot of faked signatures of this one, it might be more desirable to have a true but lesser famous smith than a falsely signed one.

 

My advice: Take your time to identify the smith, see a real NIHONTO expert for that and get information about care and maintenance. Then go ahead to restoration by Japanese experts (not your scissors-grinder from the corner), if the sword is worth it and if your budget allows.

Apologies,

 

I have re-posted the photos the rightway up I believe! How can I get a real NIHONTO  expert to verify this signature before sending it all the way to Japan?

 

Regards

 

Tai Alvis

[CSM101]

I found this oshigata. Sword is from 1789.

 

Uwe G.

[Stephen]

http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/17382-2016-nthk-npo-shinsa-in-tampa-fl-february-25262728-2016/

[Tai]

I found this oshigata. Sword is from 1789.

 

Uwe G.

That is an incredible likeness

Regards

Tai A

[pcfarrar]

Paul Martin is back in the UK early November, he would take it to Japan for you for restoration.

 

You can contact Paul via his Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/The.Japanese.Sword

[Stephen]

I see no likeness, IMHO before you jump into a polish , which style would you want done ?? KEISHO?? SASHIKOMI??

Whats the difference? which one shows what?, unless you pay more Kunitaro san will give you Keisho

 

BTW Mr Martin can arrange for everything tsuka re wrap saya restore polish et all,  skys the limit if you have the money.

[peterd]

Peter Yorke is the dealer at london fair. he knows Shinto-Shinshinto as much as any person in england (in my opinion)

[Davis]

Peter has handled thousands of swords, in your neck of the woods too.

Mick

[ROKUJURO]

I hope this is ironical. I see no resemblance, even if you take into account that the same KANJI characters have been used!
 

That is an incredible likeness

 

 

[Markus]

The signature aims at an early work of Masahide. I say "aims" because it is a gimei. I am adding a picture with an authentic mei for comparison that dates two years (i.e. Tenmei four, 1784) later than the blade in question (which is dated Tenmei two BTW, 1782). Also look at the link below to a blade that is designated as juyo-bunkazai of Gifu Prefecture (and which I added to the pic). Please note the differences in how certain characters are executed (e.g. "moto" in "Akimoto" and the family name "Kawabe") and the fluidity and "crispness" of the mei.

 

http://www.manabi.pref.gunma.jp/bunkazai/02603.htm

 

 

 

 

[Ken-Hawaii]

Tai, you are being inundated with information from our members, but I think you still have some basic questions.

 

First, before a blade goes to a shinsa panel for authentication, it needs to be polished & in shirasaya (the plain wooden case used for storage); the koshirae (the pieces other than the habaki that you now have) are used for battle, not storage. NBTHK shinsa are held in Japan, while NTHK shinsa are also held in the U.S.

 

The question of whether it is WORTH sending a blade to shinsa is totally separate. Several of our forumites have stated that the mei doesn't match Masahide, & just because you think YOU see a resemblance won't turn a gimei blade into a shoshin, no matter how much you hope for it. A very high percentage of Nihonto are gimei, so your chances of owning a Suishinshi Mashide are realistically pretty low.

 

However, your blade looks to be in decent condition, & should be preserved. Whether you're willing to spend approximately $100/inch to get it polished is completely up to you, of course, but in any case, please apply a thin layer of oil to everything EXCEPT the nakago, & keep the blade away from moisture so it won't rust.

 

Getting the tsuka (handle) rewrapped can be done by an expert. Everything related to Nihonto costs money, sometimes lots of it, so you've moved into an expensive habit, Tai!

 

Ken

 

[Tai]

[Mark]

the mei style seems like those that the SS Koza volume explain were made circa 1930, some were made by good smiths. That is just my opinion based on what I see 

[Stephen]

i think a restore is in order not for profit but for your family legacy .....not bad fittings.

[Toryu2020]

I agree with Stephen,

an exciting find, wonderful to have the chance to study and preserve a piece of your heritage. Unfortunately the signature does not compare well with known examples fron this period in the smiths life as demonstrated by Markus. and by examples I was able to find here. A blade and koshirae like this still have a lot to teach us if you are willing to invest the time. Start with the local guys take your time and get it restored I think it will be rewarding.

-t

[Mark]

I agree, fittings are nice. Best to preserve it. Spend what you are comfortable to get it restored and enjoy it. 

[Ray Singer]

KAWA XX HACHIRO FUJIWARA MASA (HIDE).

The HIDE is a probabilty, but not safe as the NAKAGO was shortened a bit (SURIAGE). Even if it was a MASAHIDE, it is not necessary SUISHINSHI MASAHIDE, and as there are a lot of faked signatures of this one, it might be more desirable to have a true but lesser famous smith than a falsely signed one.

The mei is Kawabe Gihachirō Fujiwara Masahide, which is not the signature of any other smith than Suishinshi Masahide.

 

- Ray

[Tai]

Kawabe Gihachirō Fujiwara Masahiro

 

This is the signature he used in his early days before he changed it a number of times to Masahide

[Toryu2020]

Tai -

The depth of the strokes the order they are cut and the style with which they are cut do not match the hand of this smith at any stage of his life. It is too bad that someone did this, but often the fakers put bad signatures on good swords. You may find more reward looking past the mei and deeper into the blade itself.

fwiw

 

-t

[tony edmunds]

Hi Tai

I'd recommend you bring your sword along to the next Meeting of the Token Society in London on the evening of the 24th September.

You can PM me for details.

The society has some of the most knowledgeable collectors in the world!

You may even decide to join and really learn about all things Nihonto. 

Regards

Tony

[Surfson]

Your sword has the older form of signature for Masahide, Kawabe Gihachiro Fujiwara Masahide.   I was able to find this example but can't tell you much about it.  I'm sure there are plenty of examples in the taikan books.  As to what to do with it, I'm not sure if shinsa ever comes to the UK.   If it does, then I would submit it before doing anything else.  If not, then I would seek advice of local experts.   It is very risky sending swords out of the UK, since the new customs rules often detain them at the border.  Darcy has some suggestions for mailing.  Cheers, Bob

 

[Surfson]

Sorry, photo didn't come along the first time.