Harushige Tantō

[Akaryu]

Some months ago I acquired this tantō, niji mei signed Harushige 春重. Markus Sesko mentions one Harushige from Sōshū in the Tenbun era 1532-1555. I don't find further details about this smith, not in the Kotō-shi, nor in the Shintō-shi or in the Tōkō Taikan.

 

Any info would be very welcome.

 

 

Pierre

 

 

[Mushin]

Pierre,

 

Thanks for sharing. Not a very Sue Soshu nakago shape for that period of time. Looking in Markus' A-Z of Japanese swordsmiths, there aren't many alternatives. There is one from Bizen from the same Tenbun time period, but again, that is not a Sue Bizen nakago either. The only other listed option is a Shinshinto smith, province unknown, from about 1818-1830. It's also possible that this is a smith that, in the words of Dr. Sato, fell out of the dictionary. Nice package though. 

[Rivkin]

Writing is more consistent with Edo period, in particular Odawara and other Soshu groups did not sign like this around Tembun. They did do on occasion large nijimei with center-right positioning, but the signature will not have deep cut triangular strikes, and the kanji would have a tad more "writing, cursive" rather than "printed, stamped" appearance.

There are some schools which began to sign this way especially around 1550-1570.

 

Yasurime - the depth and coloration and not super typical for shinshinto, but while it is not typical kesho type but at the top it does come at two different angles: its not gyaku takanoha where it comes at two angles all the way, it is just the top. This is more consistent with shinshinto (?).

If we assume its Edo period, the work, while little is shown, is definitely not shinto type.

 

So I would seriously consider shinshinto as an option.

[Akaryu]

Thank you very much for your reactions, Bobby and Kirill.

 

Maybe I'll take the tantō to next year's shinsa at the Japan Art Fair?

 

Pierre

[Bugyotsuji]

Are you sure that reads Harushige? Not saying that it isn't, but did you find examples of non-standard versions of "-shige" like that?

 

The cut of the nakagojiri looks to be iriyamagata, said to be Yamato, then Hokurikudo and (later) Shinto, according to Nagayama Kokan.

 

The choice of tsuba gives me a Mino feel to the package. Love the moon above the clouds.

[Akaryu]

Thank you Piers,

 

Your observations made me thinking, but I can't find a nanori reading for the non-standard writing of "shige". Other than working my way through  more zuikan, it is probably wiser to consider him  "meikan more" for the time being.

Anyway I am very happy with the tantō, despite the nagging question to know more about the smith.

 

Pierre

[Geraint]

Dear Pierre.

 

Some thoughts for you to ponder, or ignore if you feel so inclined.

When Tozando sold this piece their description included the following. 

 

"The name Harushige is engraved on the nakago. Harushige is famous as a swordsmith of the Soshu school in the Muromachi period, and this tanto is from the Shinto period. All the koshirae fittings for the tanto are from that period and are very tasteful. It is also equipped with a kozuka, making it a complete package for a tanto."

That is somewhat ambiguous as it draws the mind towards Soshu without claiming it.  They say that it is Shinto but as we know there are no smiths that fit the bill in the Shinto period.  If we follow their description then the Meikan more hypothesis becomes a factor.

 

However I tend to agree with Kirill for the following reasons.  Tanto in Shinto are rare as a starting point.  This tanto exhibits no signs of the effects of polishing around the machi which are well defined and quite deep.  The mei shows no signs of wear, the tagane ato are still apparent in the photographs.  The crispness of the nakago, the nakago jiri and the colour do not speak of Shinto to me.  Given these factors my conclusion would be that this is by the Shinshinto smith Shinryushi Harushige, the one that Bobby mentioned.  My library doesn't add much except that he is in Hawley as HAR95.

 

Whatever your conclusions enjoy this tanto and do let us know what the results are if you do send it to shinsa.

 

All the best.

 

 

[Bugyotsuji]

Probably nothing to do with this, or distantly related, but there was a folding-knife maker from Taisho before WW2 called Higo no Kami, and one of the smiths was 肥後守春重Higo no Kami Harushige. Originally registered in Meiji 32. The Emperor favored these knives. There is even a Higo no Kami Museum!

 

Some clicky links here... https://www.bing.com/search?q=肥後守博物館&qs=n&form=QBRE&sp=-1&ghc=1&lq=0&pq=肥後守博物館&sc=1-6&sk=&cvid=EC6CAAD4226A40A8BC24728F7128EA84

[Akaryu]

Thank you very much for your input, gentlemen. 

 

Rest assured Geraint, I ignore none of the comments kindly given here.

 

However, I still wonder about the second kanji on the nakago, for Shinryūshi Harushige is written as 春茂 ?

 

As for presenting the tantō for shinsa, I'll have to wait till next year's Japan Art Fair to see Hataya Daisuke-san, or sooner if an NBTHK meeting takes place in a neighbouring country. With the Belgian laws on sending "blade weapons" by post or courier, that is the only option left. Anyway, if a shinsa takes place and yields some interesting result, I'll share it here.

 

Thanks,

 

Pierre

 

 

 

 

 

[Lewis B]

You might want to consider joining us in Solingen for the bimonthly NBTHK-EB meeting. You are entitled to attend one meeting free of charge or membership requirements. Lots of knowledgeable eyes are usually present. 

[Akaryu]

1 hour ago, Lewis B said:

You might want to consider joining us in Solingen for the bimonthly NBTHK-EB meeting. You are entitled to attend one meeting free of charge or membership requirements. Lots of knowledgeable eyes are usually present. 

 

That is something to consider, btw I am a member of the NBTHK-EB, as well as of the JAS. I'll just have to coax my old diesel to get there.

 

Pierre