Nobuhide 1860?

[Cuirassier]

Morning all

Can anyone help me with this mei please?
Kudo & Thanks
 

[Geraint]

Dear Mark.

 

Well you're in for some fun!  Start researching Chikuzen Nobuhide.

 

All the best.

[Cuirassier]

Thanks Geraint
But nihonto club smiths is now restricted I have just discovered, and the examples I have found are nowhere near a match
Any other info / point3ers please?

[eternal_newbie]

57 minutes ago, Cuirassier said:

But nihonto club smiths is now restricted I have just discovered, and the examples I have found are nowhere near a match

 

Another casualty of the rapacious entitlement of the AI merchants (automated data harvesters for AI agents where overwhelming the site and they had to restrict search functionality to registered members). This is a win/win condition for the AI folks, because now the only way for the public to find that information will be however the AI models choose to serve up the data they harvested before Nihonto Club locked everyone out.

[Geraint]

Dear Mark.

 

I will have a look through my sources later on today but for now have a look here, page 31 I think, https://new.uniquejapan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/21-Antique-Shinshinto-Japanese-Swords-For-Sale-From-Unique-Japan.pdf

 

You know the mantra, big name smith likely gimei until proven otherwise, the fact that you do not see a match in a web search of papered examples suggests this to be true for your sword. Forgive me if I state the obvious but  a Shinshinto sword, unless badly neglected, ought to have a nakago which shows clear detail and so the shape and the yasurime as well as the position of the mei should all be easy to see.  Another factor is that some smiths have very distinctive 'handwriting' and that should be an easy thing to spot.  If you have an image of the whole nakago that might be useful.

 

I'll see what I can find for you later on.

 

All the best.

 

 

[Cuirassier]

Thanks Geraint. I have a book that reference Takahashi Nobuhide, but not Taiara
I obviously want now to compare meis before considering polishing and possible papers.

 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Nihontoclub index can still be accessed but you need to register as a member. 

[Cuirassier]

 

chikuzen no kami nobuhide ?

[Cuirassier]

Holy Moley
If it is, Sai-jo saku

[Cuirassier]

38 minutes ago, Geraint said:

Dear Mark.

 

I will have a look through my sources later on today but for now have a look here, page 31 I think, https://new.uniquejapan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/21-Antique-Shinshinto-Japanese-Swords-For-Sale-From-Unique-Japan.pdf

 

You know the mantra, big name smith likely gimei until proven otherwise, the fact that you do not see a match in a web search of papered examples suggests this to be true for your sword. Forgive me if I state the obvious but  a Shinshinto sword, unless badly neglected, ought to have a nakago which shows clear detail and so the shape and the yasurime as well as the position of the mei should all be easy to see.  Another factor is that some smiths have very distinctive 'handwriting' and that should be an easy thing to spot.  If you have an image of the whole nakago that might be useful.

 

I'll see what I can find for you later on.

 

All the best.

 

 

Thanks Geraint
Found him!
https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/shop/product/antique-Japanese-sword-katana-signed-by-chikuzen-no-kami-nobuhide-nbthk-tokubetsu-hozon-certificate/?srsltid=AfmBOooPkvTa18Hzr76TiPjxXT3xV1PcmcTzay3yTicmrpdtY8KOW5pz

[Shugyosha]

26 minutes ago, Cuirassier said:

Holy Moley
If it is, Sai-jo saku

 

That's what it says, then oite Osaka (於大坂). "At Osaka". If it helps your research the date is to a day in June in the first year of Keio (1865) 慶應元年六月日 - Keio gan'en roku gatsu hi. 

[Cuirassier]

More pics

[Geraint]

Steady Boy, steady!

 

Whatever happens this is a very nice sword in attractive koshirae, you did well. It will still be that even if you conclude that it is gimei. Remember that big names are often gimei though it is distantly possible that this came to the UK soon after it was made.  Lots of possibilities.

 

Now come the hard yards.  You need to start comparing papered examples and soaking up the detail, nakago jiri, yasurime, placement of the mei, style of kanji and so forth.  Take it to a Token Society meeting and see what others think. ( Don't be tempted to take a low ball offer.)  This is why this hobby is so exciting so enjoy!

Just got back home so will do a bit of digging.

 

All the best.

[Cuirassier]

18 minutes ago, Geraint said:

Steady Boy, steady!

 

Whatever happens this is a very nice sword in attractive koshirae, you did well. It will still be that even if you conclude that it is gimei. Remember that big names are often gimei though it is distantly possible that this came to the UK soon after it was made.  Lots of possibilities.

 

Now come the hard yards.  You need to start comparing papered examples and soaking up the detail, nakago jiri, yasurime, placement of the mei, style of kanji and so forth.  Take it to a Token Society meeting and see what others think. ( Don't be tempted to take a low ball offer.)  This is why this hobby is so exciting so enjoy!

Just got back home so will do a bit of digging.

 

All the best.

Thanks Geraint
I am all excited now, and rarely get excited about anything I have or can have!
I bought it for £500 without a clue; it was a punt.

Cheers
 

[Geraint]

You did what?  Most of us would have expected an extra nought on that I guess.  Here is some relevant information from Markus Sesko, 'Shinto and Shinshinto Kantei' to be going on with, well worth getting a copy.

 

All the best.

 

[Shugyosha]

3 hours ago, Cuirassier said:

Thanks Geraint
I am all excited now, and rarely get excited about anything I have or can have!
I bought it for £500 without a clue; it was a punt.

Cheers