Omi no Kami Minamoto Hisamichi Gasaku?

[Bryce]

G'day Guys,

The mei on this wakizashi reads:

 

"Eda Kikumon Omi no Kami Minamoto Hisamichi" and "Kikumon Hisamichi chakushi  Minamoto Rai Hisatsugu"

 

I think the second generation Hisamichi originally signed Hisatsugu. Does this mean this wak is a gasaku between the first and second generations of Hisamichi or the second and third generation hisamichi?

 

Cheers,

Bryce

 

[sabiji]

Hi Bryce,
I think it is a Gasaku of Sho and Nidai. I gave a lecture on Hisamichi at the NBTHK EB more than 15 years ago, but unfortunately I no longer have the script.
Hisamichi is originally from a samurai family and is not a member of the Mishina clan. How he was actually able to assume his position in this family group, I have never really been able to clarify.
Officially, you read everywhere that he was a student of Nidai Iga no Kami Kinmichi. But it is noticeable that there was a strong bond between Hisamichi and the Izumi Kami Rai Kinmichi branch of the family. I rather think that Shodai Hisamichi worked a lot with the Nidai and Sandai Rai Kinmichi, and probably learned more from the Nidai Rai Kinmichi, whose 3rd son he adopted as Nidai Hisamichi. His name was Hisatsugu during the Shodai's lifetime. In the late phase of the Shodai, Hisatsugu handed over the Kikumon, while he then engraved Edagiku, and Hisatsugu proudly calls himself Chakushi, heir or successor of Shodai Hisamichi.

 

[Bryce]

Thanks Thomas.

Cheers,

Bryce