Jumonji Minamoto Yukishige which one?

[pcfarrar]

I recently acquired this jumonji yari signed minamoto yukishige saku.

 

The problem is which Yukishige is this? Hawleys lists a few one in the mid 17th century and the rest in the mid 19th century. Anyone have any idea which Yukishige this is?

 

Thanks,

 

Peter

[kusunokimasahige]

Personally I wouldnt know, however i do have a question, couldnt it be that it was made earlier than the 17th century? maybe the 16th?

 

looking at the patina of the tang and the shape of the blade...

 

and werent there thousands more smiths in Japanese / sengoku history that have never been discovered/described by anyone?

 

what is the general rule in this? do shinsa people/collectors only look at the known smiths, rather than add or discover (scientifically) the existence of new, yet unknown, but period smiths?

 

KM

[pcfarrar]

The tang has also been cut so it has been remounted at least once. According to Knutsen's Japanese Spears he says Yari with the straight uncurved cross blade are generally earlier.

 

I can't find a smith who signs in this exact manner in any of my books.

[kusunokimasahige]

it absolutely looks like an earlier sengoku type to me.

 

KM

[Guido]

The problem is which Yukishige is this? Hawleys lists a few one in the mid 17th century and the rest in the mid 19th century. Anyone have any idea which Yukishige this is?

I found an Oshigata in Tokuno's Taikan of the Yukishige that worked at around Ansei (mid 19'th Century), and it isn't a match. Logic dictates therefore that it's one of the other ones

[pcfarrar]

I still haven't been able to figure out the smith on this yari? Anyone have any new ideas?

 

Also how would the blade end up with a jet black patina? I was told by the previous owner that it was stored on the wall of a large stately home for many years.