Kyushu Higo Dotanuki Suriage Katana

[Ray Singer]

Would appreciate any thoughts on this mei. There is a trace of an additional kanji after 'Dotanuki'. I really should have learned by now to keep my Fujishiro with me when I travel, but here I am again having an unexpected encounter with an interesting sword and hope that someone can help to place this with a specific smith from the Dotanuki group.

 

Kind regards,

Ray

[Grey Doffin]

Hi Ray,

Matahachi is a zokumei (alternate name?) of Dotanuki Masakuni, which is the only Dotanuki smith to make it into Fujishiro's Koto-hen.  Oshigata from Nihon Toko Jiten (no idea why the computer rotated it; sorry) and Yumei Koto Taikan are below.  Looks interesting.

Grey

[Ray Singer]

Outstanding, thank you Grey.

 

Best regards,

Ray

[SteveM]

Hello Ray,

 

Here is a page from Iimura's handbook showing the mei from 3 Dotanuki smiths.

 

Masakuni 正國

Kōzukenosuke 上野介 

Hyōe  兵衛

 

I think the 九州 in yours is a dead ringer for Hyōe, but I lose confidence after that. 

[Ray Singer]

Thanks Steve. Here is a closeup of the nakago jiri where the mei fragment can be seen below Dotanuki. At this point after having taken the sword home and studied for several hours I am becoming very confident that it is Dotanuki work, and am overall extremely pleased with the find. The partial character may be the top of Fuji.

[SteveM]

I bit hard to nail down. I wasn't entirely sure it was a deliberate kanji stroke, but if it is, Fuji is definitely a possible suspect. 

 

I was thinking it just might end after nuki - as in the Hawley's DO1 signature. In any event, the list of Dotanuki smiths who used "九州" is small enough that it shouldn't be too difficult to pinpoint. 

[Ray Singer]

The Dotanuki was given an attribution to Genzaemon, c. Tensho.

 

Best regards,

Ray

[Ray Singer]

And a few photos of the shinsa team going through Fujishiro and comparing the mei of the three Dotanuki smiths published there, Kosuke no Suke, Masakuni and Genzaemon.

[Stephen]

Very respectable score Rayrae, congrats, 

 

side bar could anyone still there get some photos of the teams photo setup for the recording, would like to know more.

[Ray Singer]

Thanks Stephen, this is the only other photo I have of the photography setup.

 

Best regards,

Ray

[Stephen]

Thanks Ray, was trying to figure the light source, i see the filters and shields ...long florescent bulbs?? 

[Ray Singer]

Yew, it does appear to have been a long fluorescent bulb.

[Stephen]

Interesting, sorry to get off track ...maybe some photos of the blade.

[Ray Singer]

No worries, glad to share photos from the show. Pics of the Dotanuki attached.

 

Best regards,

Ray