Suriage / Machiokuri

[klee]

Good Afternoon

 

Just got a new blade I ve been looking for and was curious if there s a reasonable way to tell how much machiokuri was done based on the Hi placement ( Futasuji - bi in this case ) and mei placement.

 

Tokubetsu Hozon Katana 

Mei : Kongohyoe Moritaka Saku

 

Blade length: 69.7 cm. Sori: 2.0

cm. Motohaba: 3.2 cm. Motokasane: 0.75 cm. Sakihaba: 2.32

cm. Sakikasane: 0.55 cm.

 

Additionaly , any suggestion and discussion as to what time period it may be would be greatly appreciated.

 

My inital thought based on the katana mei was muromachi but the nagago and mei looks older 

 

Thank you

 

Kevin L

 

 

[Rivkin]

Not much could be said, but I like the signature, the blade is most likely circa 1540, but the sugata is very general and it could be substantially earlier - in theory, but usually less so in practice.

Probably under 2 inches suriage.

Edited Thursday at 10:34 PM by Rivkin

[Rawa]

@klee you are this texas seller?

[klee]

Hi @Rawa

 

I just purchased it from him last week. Arrived yesterday 

Edited Thursday at 11:20 PM by klee

[Rawa]

Are you able to spot darker parts on this nakago? Usually mekugi ana had some time „in service” so darker patina would point you into direction. Here you have 3.

Edited Thursday at 11:30 PM by Rawa

[PNSSHOGUN]

Basing it off the Mei is more reasonable as Horimono may be Atobori, and many original Horimono didn't stop above the Habaki. Your best bet would be to find an Ubu example of this same smith and compare the Mei placement. 

[klee]

Hi @Rawa

 

I tried looking very hard but they all look eaqually old. The patina under the futasuji bi actually looks very old as does the mei

[klee]

Thank you for the tip @PNSSHOGUN 

 

Been trying to find a good one with a similar signature but I do recall seeing ubu Moritaka swords where their longer mei looked unusually low on the tang or more centered.  Maybe someone here has a sample image with a " Kongo Hyoe Moritaka " or "Kongo Hyoe Minamoto Moritaka" 

[klee]

Thank you as always @Rivkin

 

I thought this was an early/mid muromachi but I would love it if it was the Tenbun Moritaka since I believe he was very prolific. Probably no way to find out unfortunately without a nengo 

[Tohagi]

Hello,

If the sword is TH Kongobeï Moritaka saku, you should have the generation on the paper ?

This will give you a time scale.

 

My feeling is that it is 3 fingers maki okuri (originaly 4 fingers over the 2nd makugi ana). You can see a deep change in patina color betwen the two mekugi ana.

 

Best,

Eric

[klee]

Hi @Tohagi

 

The certificate only mentions the mei and not the generation unfortunately.

 

I have read that the Moritaka line all have very similar features and workmanship other than the variation in sugata depending on the era.

 

It is my favorite school by far and Toku Ho for muromachi works seem to be quite rare for this school as well. 

 

Would definitely love to narrow down the time period

 

The sword is wide/thick, very heavy and has a very grand feel to it.

 

It must have been magnificent as a 75cm-ish  katana in it s original form

[Tohagi]

Lovely sword !

Kongobeï is quite rare with long meï.

Hope to see close picture of the hada...

 

Best,

 

Eric

 

[klee]

Thank you @Tohagi

 

I really enjoy this sword.

 

It shows the typical Kongo Hyoe characteristics with a mixture of mokume, Itame and masame near the HA. Always liked the wild feeling of their hada