Sayagaki translation

[Nicholas]

Can anyone please help me out with the translation of this sayagaki and possibly who wrote it. 

[Nicholas]

[John C]

Nicholas:

There are a couple of Hon'ami kao listed in Markus Sesko's Compendium that look similar but not exact. You might start there.

 

John C.

[george trotter]

Dated to Taisho period, 5th year?, 2nd month? so it might be (can't be sure of my reading) 1916, May 2nd.

The rest is even harder to read, sorry.

George.  

[SteveM]

Yes, George has the correct date. The signature and kao are Hon'ami Kōson. The other side is a valuation. 

 

 

[Nicholas]

Thank you John, George and Steve. I’m curious to know what the valuation of this sword was. Here’s the upper portion of the sayagaki.

[Ian B3HR2UH]

That is the makers name not a valuation

[SteveM]

The valuation is in the first photo: 代千三百貫　1300 kan.

 

 

[Nicholas]

Here’s a picture of the nakago

[Ian B3HR2UH]

Nagasone okisato nyudo Kotetsu . A much faked maker

[Nicholas]

4 minutes ago, Ian B3HR2UH said:

Nagasone okisato nyudo Kotetsu . A much faked maker

I’m well aware.

[Nicholas]

[PNSSHOGUN]

For comparison:

 

[Nicholas]

[Nicholas]

Side by side comparison. I don’t think the sword is a real Kotetsu. I’m not that lucky

 

Edited Sunday at 11:50 PM by Nicholas

[Nicholas]

While going down the Kotetsu rabbit hole I came across a video made by Markus Sesko at the New York Token Kai from November 16th 2016. The video was about the famous forger Kajihei and how he would forge Naotane and Kotetsu signatures. Kajihei was said to be so good at these forgeries that at the time hardly anyone would be able to discern the fake from the real signatures. 
 

  Now in no way am I implying this sword I own is a real Kotetsu or a Kajihei forgery. I’m just curious if anyone has any reference material they are willing to share of a Kajihei Kotetsu forgery besides what I’ve already seen from Markus Sesko’s site because I find this subject very fascinating. I’d also be interested to see if any of these forgeries have ever came up for sale.

[Lewis B]

There are collectors who specifically search out Kajihei forgeries. Definitely a niche market that can command some significant prices. 

[Nicholas]

Just now, Lewis B said:

There are collectors who specifically search out Kajihei forgeries. Definitely a niche market that can command some significant prices. 

While researching Kajihei I stumbled across a thread from this forum that was of a member who purchased a Kajihei Naotane forgery. The sword was still impressive. I wonder if the NBTHK issues origami for these Kajihei forgeries.

[Lewis B]

17 minutes ago, Nicholas said:

I wonder if the NBTHK issues origami for these Kajihei forgeries.

Definitely not, at least not knowingly. Some are great blades in their own right which is how they can pass casual scrutiny especially by the unwary. It's like the super clone Rolex watches that are being made. Almost perfect right down to the minutest detail. 

[PNSSHOGUN]

Recall a Gimei sword (can't remember the exact smith) that was attributed as being made by Gassan Sadakazu, it may have been NTHK papered. 

[Nicholas]

14 minutes ago, Lewis B said:

Definitely not, at least not knowingly.

I thought they might have papered due to the historical significance. How are these swords being recognized as Kajihei forgeries? Possibly through sayagaki attribution.

[Nicholas]

10 minutes ago, PNSSHOGUN said:

Recall a Gimei sword (can't remember the exact smith) that was attributed as being made by Gassan Sadakazu, it may have been NTHK papered. 

In Sesko’s Kajihei video he shows a slide of 2 swords. 1 signed Soshu Masamune and the other Soshu Sadamune both swords Gassan Sadakazu added the signature to. Not papered though. Just thought it was interesting.

[Ian B3HR2UH]

The attached might be of interest