Cookie_Monstah47 Posted January 7, 2022 Report Posted January 7, 2022 Hi everyone, I was rummaging on the the internet earlier today and found this mei on a long tanto. There is a "mum" crest on the other side of the tang. Are they legit and if so what does the "mum" imply? Thanks, Khalid Quote
Grey Doffin Posted January 7, 2022 Report Posted January 7, 2022 Hi Khalid, The mei is Tango no Kami Fujiwara Kanemichi and on the reverse Kiku Ichi. It is a real Japanese sword but that doesn't mean the signature isn't a forgery; may or may not be. Tango no Kami means Lord of Tango, which is an honorary title. Fujiwara is a clan name and Kanemichi is the smith's name. The kiku is the imperial crest and ichi means the # 1. Not sure if any old smith could use the kiku or if permission had to be granted. Pictures of the rest of the long tanto would tell us more. Tanto don't usually have shinogi (the ridge line). If the sugata is shinogi zukuri (with ridge and yokote markig the kissaki), this may be the end of a broken sword with a forged signature. Grey 1 Quote
Cookie_Monstah47 Posted January 7, 2022 Author Report Posted January 7, 2022 Hi Grey and everyone, Here's a few more pictures of the tanto. The cutting edge is about 12.5 inches in length and the total length is about 18 inches. I hope this helps. Quote
Grey Doffin Posted January 7, 2022 Report Posted January 7, 2022 Hi Khalid, Pretty sure this is a broken sword and you're looking at the lower half. This is close to being worthless in an informed market. Grey 3 1 Quote
ChrisW Posted January 7, 2022 Report Posted January 7, 2022 I agree with Grey here. Broken sword, the sugata is all wrong for something of that size if it were original. 1 Quote
Surfson Posted January 8, 2022 Report Posted January 8, 2022 Also the Bohi goes into the region that should have the boshi.... I do have a sword by this guy, but haven't studied the mei on yours. 1 Quote
Mark Posted January 8, 2022 Report Posted January 8, 2022 bid away. have fun https://bid.sofedesignauctions.com/lots/view/4-4L7HNA/rare-koto-era-Japanese-samurai-sword-dagger-blade-with-imperial-mon-long-signature 1 Quote
Bugyotsuji Posted January 8, 2022 Report Posted January 8, 2022 Is that a join/weld between the nakago and the remains of the blade, or just shiny from habaki movement? 1 Quote
Grey Doffin Posted January 8, 2022 Report Posted January 8, 2022 I think it is shiny because the habaki protected it from corrosion. Grey 1 Quote
Surfson Posted January 8, 2022 Report Posted January 8, 2022 Or the polisher(s) polished into the top part of the nakago (I have a couple swords on which this has occurred). 1 Quote
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