What are your thoughts on this signature?

[Mark]

I have a katana signed Awataguchi Nagatsuna.   Nagatsuna was a student of Tadatsuna but i can not find an example of him signing this way.  The shape of the nakago resembles Tadatsuna so makes sense if a student.   The way it is signed reminds me of Tadatsuna's mei

 

Any constructive thoughts appreciated. If anyone has seen this mei or has a reference i would appreciate it

 

thanks

 

mark

[SteveM]

Here is a gassaku with a Nagatsuna mei on one side. Construction of the mei is different (Settsu-jū Fujiwara Nagatsuna), but its the writing of the "naga" character that strikes me as being different from the one on the sword in your post.

 

But...this single gassaku is probably not a great reference. 

 

Anyway, I add the link here for reference, and snip a bit of the mei.*

 

 

 

*As always, credits to the owner, and reference is only intended for educational purposes. 

 

https://www.seiyudo.com/ka-098129.htm

[YourBabyBjornBorg]

The apprentice to the first Awata Nagatsuna, smith colloquially known as 聾長綱(つんぼ長綱/Tsunbo Nagatsuna, or deaf Nagatsuna) has several different signatures,

 

and what we can find most on the internet is 摂津住藤原長綱/Settsu-Ju Fujiwara Nagatsuna, which is very helpful for comparing signatures.

 

(Also, "Encyclopedia of Shinto/新刀大鑑" by Iimura Yoshiaki Sensei says, "It is said that 紀伊国廣綱(Hirotsuna) is the same person as Nagatsuna",

 

which is confirmed in "Pandect of swordsmiths/刀工総覧" by Kawakuchi Noboru Sensei.)

 

As for the spesific way of signing as 粟田口長綱/Awatakuchi Nagatsuna,

 

there is a text record for a Tokubetsu-Kiju at the Chokuan Branch of Fukuoka NBTHK in 1960 signed exactly that,

 

and another is said to be part of Hounoutou/votive swords to the Ukishima shrine in Kumamoto, but the researchers did not get a chance to look at it (徳島県新野町民史, 新野町史編集委員会, 1960).

 

There are also several mentions of a similar signature 粟田口聾長綱/Awatakuchi Tsunbo Nagatsuna in books.

 

Num. 529 of 刀剣と歴史/Swords and History by NTHK in 1982 listed a sword passed Shinsa signed 粟田口聾長綱/Awatakuchi Tsunbo Nagatsuna lengthed at 51.8cm (一尺七寸一分),

 

also "Encyclopedia of Shinto/新刀大鑑", "Pandect of swordsmiths/刀工総覧" and “Praising the Osaka Shinto/大阪新刀を讃える” all mentioned the specific signature of 粟田口聾長綱/Awatakuchi Tsunbo Nagatsuna,

 

all, unfortunately, without actual Oshigata or photos. Although we can still try to compare the signature with swords signed with 摂津住藤原長綱/Settsu-Ju Fujiwara Nagatsuna,

 

so even the mere confirmation of the signature 粟田口長綱/Awatakuchi Nagatsuna existing is still meaningful.

 

I'm really bad at telling Gimei, so I hope at least this helps!

[Mark]

Steve==thanks!

 

Joe, thanks for that, welcome to NMB, that was a big help and gives me some encouragement to research further. Great references i would not have found

 

It may just be gimei but it is certainly cut boldly

[Mark S.]

From the Shinto Bengi

 

[Jacques]

According the Nihonto meikan Nagatsuna never signed Awataguchi Nagatsuna 粟田口長綱, I would think it's gimei..

[Mark]

Jacques

 

thanks. that was my thought when i couldn't find an example of that signature.  Joe had some interesting leads that i had not seen.  

 

I appreciate the comments, good to discuss swords

 

mark