pcfarrar Posted January 8, 2009 Report Posted January 8, 2009 I have a short wakizashi signed Sasshu ju Tadakane. It is a very wide blade with a thick kasane and is shobu zukuri. I wondered if this might be the work of Satsuma Kunihira? Fujishiro mentions that he signed Tadakane originally and that he made swords with a wide body. Anyone have any thoughts on the mei? Thanks, Peter Quote
Jacques Posted January 8, 2009 Report Posted January 8, 2009 Hi, Below an oshigata of Tadakane (this who signed later Kunihira). Quote
pcfarrar Posted January 8, 2009 Author Report Posted January 8, 2009 Thanks Jacques. It has some similarities, the nakago jiri and yasurimei match. The hamon also matches the style in the oshigata. Do you think it could be Kunihira? Quote
Jacques Posted January 8, 2009 Report Posted January 8, 2009 Hi, I don't think, the kanji shu is very different. Quote
pcfarrar Posted January 9, 2009 Author Report Posted January 9, 2009 It doesn't look like a shu kanji on the example you posted? :? Quote
Jacques Posted January 9, 2009 Report Posted January 9, 2009 Hi, It doesn't look like a shu kanji on the example you posted? :? And yet it is. Quote
Guido Posted January 9, 2009 Report Posted January 9, 2009 It's not "shu" but "jû (sumu) 住" - however, I agree that that it doesn't match. Quote
Jacques Posted January 9, 2009 Report Posted January 9, 2009 Hi, It's not "shu" but "jû (sumu) 住" - however, I agree that that it doesn't match. Guido san, i speak about this one (red arrow) Quote
Guido Posted January 10, 2009 Report Posted January 10, 2009 Guido san, i speak about this one (red arrow) Oops, couldn't see the upper Kanji clearly in the pic and made the wrong assumption (or I need a new monitor or new glasses). "Shû" 州 can also be written 刕 (often seen on Mino blades); in any case, I see marked differences in the two Mei. Quote
pcfarrar Posted April 17, 2009 Author Report Posted April 17, 2009 Did any other Satsuma smiths sign using Tadakane. Also is it typical for some Satsuma blades to have a very thick kasane? The kasane of this wakizashi is almost 1cm Quote
Ludolf Richter Posted April 18, 2009 Report Posted April 18, 2009 Hi,there is "The Characteristics of Kyushu Shinto" by Kentaro Yoshikawa in English in "Art and the Sword" 1991 Vol.Four with data about this swordsmith (ca.1670-1755) on pages 66 to 68.He started with Go Tadakane ("Tada" from his 1st teacher Tadakiyo) before he changed to Kaneyoshi.He was a specialist in making Naginata.Yoshikawa owns a Naginata with date 1751 ("made with 81")!There is a Mei-pic.Compare the description of that Naginata with Your Sword.Ludolf Quote
pcfarrar Posted April 18, 2009 Author Report Posted April 18, 2009 Thanks Ludolf. That's interesting because the sword is very naginata like in its proportions. (It also has a very wide mihaba). I will borrow a copy of the Art and sword article from a friend. The sword is with my polisher so should be back soon for me to compare. I've attached a picture of it in its out of polish state. Quote
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