Anything to these fittings?

[cju777]

Good afternoon all,

 

Last last year acquired my first nihonto which passed shinsa in December. Most of my time has spent researching the blade side of things, without much time for studying up on tosogu. The sword did come with a koshaire and fittings, posting here to get the groups thoughts on if they are much of anything, and if there is any place I could start to get an idea of what they are. Not expecting much on them, but figured I'd try and find out what I could. Appreciate your thoughts.

 

The blade papered to Hozon shinto mei NoshuJuUnjinobu but know fittings can change throughout the life of the sword.

 

Cheers and thank you,

Chris

[MauroP]

Hi Chris, nice tsuba. I think Edo Higo.

[Geraint]

Dear Chris.

 

I like them.  I agree with Mauro regarding the tsuba and am intrigued by the lower seppa in your picture.  I don't think I have ever seen one quite like that. The mon on the fuchi is Sakai family though I am sure it is used by others.

 

Enjoy!

 

All the best.

[cju777]

Mauro, thanks for pointing to Edo Higo. I'll read up on that.

 

Geraint, the seppa does stand out. The other one isn't like it at all and the pattern is not found on that back. Also thanks for pointing out the mon, there are actually three different types on the fuchi - the Sakai, a variation of the Sakai (with indents on the 3 wings) and the blacked out one, five circles surrounding a center circle (which I knew at one point but I am forgetting at the moment). One is repeated at the end of the kashira.

 

I also was able to photo some of the other details. The tsuba feels legit, some of the other parts seem mis- and match and of varying quality. Also think there are two kanji on top of the fuchi. I don't know Japanese but from I know of Chinese they look like, 明 or 朋 and 久.

 

Appreciate you time. Cheers,

Chris

[cju777]

Found this on AOI's historical page, papered Hozon to Edo Higo, lot's of similar design and themes, thanks for pointing me that way gents!

[Guest]

Hi Chris,

 

The main Kamon shown in Gold, is known as Ken Katabami (Creeping Wood Sorrel and Swords).

 

The darker one (Which may have been Silver foil originally) has the look of one of the star cluster types, maybe Hoshimune Bachi

 

It could also be read as one of the plum clusters such as Hoshi Umebachi or maybe Ura Umebachi.

 

Difficult to discern, however, they look like they were applied as Nunome zogan.