TANTO Sendai kunikane. 10-14gen???

[Jalala84]

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    I recently bought this kunikane tanto, and I am digging into the history of it. I do not know the generation though. The only signature on the sword marks kunikane, and it looks good from the 10-14 era of Sendai kunikane. I have uploaded a photo of the mei, and the paperwork is also there too. Please tell me what you guys think! I have speculated that it is from the late who. 1800s, but I still want to identify what generation it is. Please tell me your thoughts! And if possible, maybe give a ROUGH estimate of what it’s worth based on the photos. Thanks! I look foreword to hearing from other people also interested in the Japanese art of nihonto as well as nihonto experts!

  (The choji oil I use sometimes makes some of the dark blotches, so if it appears that way in my darker photos of the blade, it is not rust forming.)

 

          Ps, Here are some new photos, because I received feedback that the old ones weren’t enough to determine the generation - rough value. Please tell me your thoughts!!!

 

       
           

  

 

Edited November 18 by Jalala84

[Rivkin]

5x more effort into photography and it will be possible to tell.

[Jalala84]

Thanks Rivkin, I updated the photos. Please share your opinion!

[PNSSHOGUN]

Value is likely what you paid for it, the older papers are not taken too seriously any more. Looks like a well made dagger at the very least. 

[Rivkin]

I am not a specialist on this lineage, but what concerns me:

- its indeed shinshinto yasurime.

- nakago finish is different than typical for Kunikane, though such shape in general is possible, it is much more sharp-abrupt than expected.

- nijimei is not too common in shinshinto, with better lineages.

- we don't see much in terms of activity, is there something like Kunikane - remains to be seen.

 

I would be a bit careful with this one.

[Toryu2020]

Is there masame visible?

[Jalala84]

Tomas, I do see some masame. There is some of it, but what should I look for?

[Toryu2020]

Well, pronounced masame throughout, especially at the tip.

[Toryu2020]

Signature looks closest to 13th generation - I think you would still expect to see strong masame throughout even at this late date...

-t

[Toryu2020]

See the photo

[Jalala84]

Thanks Thomas. Can you please highlight on this photo where the masame is? I think I do see it, but knowing where to look would be nice.

[Jalala84]

I know it is throughout the blade, but can you show me where the most prominent examples are? I just wanna MAKE SURE my blade has it, but I am 99%sure It does. I recently inspected it and I see very prominent masame.

[Toryu2020]

Based on your PM you're on the right track. If you do see it then you have a very cool piece.

 

-t

[Jalala84]

Perfect. I do see the prominent masame lines. I have also joined the NCJSC sword club, so maybe at the next meeting they can give me more info.

[Toryu2020]

We shall strive to help you in your search!

 

-t

[Rivkin]

Here is the item:

https://japanesesword.net/products/tanto-kunikane-nbthk-kicho-certificate-shirasaya-koshirae-ubu-nakago-shinto-era-kanagawa-53159?srsltid=AfmBOorUYpeV4tSRMwEZgXoEtofMmWWdLYfGIYOeGbteF2FYgUEst2Ny

 

With such photographs it might be actually earlier than shinshinto, jigane looks correct, also some of the nakago "roughness" might have been photography-related.

It can be real Kunikane, post 1670 probably.

[Jalala84]

yes. dr. bleed who is an expert in kunikane says that it is most likely SHOSHIN from the 13th generation kunikane based on the (a bit odd) signature and the masame.