"Something" Ichimongi, but not "Kiku" HELP!

[Bruce Pennington]

Hey guys,

Found this in a kaigunto.  I thought it was another Kiku ichimongi, but the first kanji doesn't match other mei I have on file.  I have a vague recollection you've helped me with one like this before, but it's lost to antiquity.  Thanks for the help!

 

[Nobody]

関一文字 - Seki Icimonji

 

[Bruce Pennington]

7 hours ago, Nobody said:

関一文字 - Seki Icimonji

 

Thank you, Moriyamasan!  Now, since Kiku Ichimonji was a tribute to an ancient shogun, was there a Seki shogun that this is honoring?

[Bruce Pennington]

@mecox - any insight on the significance of "Seki ichimonji?"  Is it possible the first kanji is something other than Seki?

[uwe]

The first character looks a bit like the “handwriting” of 關. But that means also Seki (like Moriyama San suggested) or Mori. Hmm…

[Toryu2020]

Bruce -

Kiku Ichimonji refers to the retired emperor Gotoba, not a Shogun. It has come to mean "A-Number One". So Seki Ichimonji may mean the artist made works in the Bizen style and are meant to be "the Best". I am sure this points to a particular smith and a short search would turn up who that is...

-t

[mecox]

Bruce and others.  looks like this:   ICHIMONJI (一文字), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Ichimonji” (一文字), real name Endō Masayuki (遠藤公之), born October 23rd 1890, he worked as a guntō smith.  He was from Gifu, Kamo-gun, Tomioka-mura, Mia-ji.   Registered as a Seki smith in Showa 16 (1941) Feb 9.    Pic from Rick Stein page.   The unusual "Seki"   關  is interesting.

Found two more from F & G 1983, with some info.

Ichimonji was also used by Amahide of Seki, but usually with his fuller name.

 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

13 hours ago, Toryu2020 said:

Bruce -

Kiku Ichimonji refers to the retired emperor Gotoba, not a Shogun. It has come to mean "A-Number One". So Seki Ichimonji may mean the artist made works in the Bizen style and are meant to be "the Best". I am sure this points to a particular smith and a short search would turn up who that is...

-t

I have some Kanemichi blades on file with the Kiku Ichimonji, so maybe both your ideas were combined in his use of it.  I was thinking along the same lines with the Seki Ichimonji idea too!

 

6 hours ago, mecox said:

ICHIMONJI (一文字), Shōwa (昭和, 1926-1989), Gifu – “Ichimonji” (一文字), real name Endō Masayuki (遠藤公之),

Mal, you nailed it!  I never thought to check the Sword Forum Index site for the mei.  

 

Thanks guys, I enjoyed the discussion and the discovery!