Nicholas Posted February 14 Report Posted February 14 Can anyone please help me out with the translation of this sayagaki and possibly who wrote it. Quote
John C Posted February 14 Report Posted February 14 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. 1 Quote
george trotter Posted February 15 Report Posted February 15 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. 4 Quote
SteveM Posted February 15 Report Posted February 15 Yes, George has the correct date. The signature and kao are Hon'ami Kōson. The other side is a valuation. 3 Quote
Nicholas Posted February 15 Author Report Posted February 15 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. Quote
Ian B3HR2UH Posted February 15 Report Posted February 15 That is the makers name not a valuation 2 Quote
SteveM Posted February 15 Report Posted February 15 The valuation is in the first photo: 代千三百貫 1300 kan. 2 Quote
Ian B3HR2UH Posted February 15 Report Posted February 15 Nagasone okisato nyudo Kotetsu . A much faked maker 1 Quote
Nicholas Posted February 15 Author Report Posted February 15 4 minutes ago, Ian B3HR2UH said: Nagasone okisato nyudo Kotetsu . A much faked maker I’m well aware. Quote
Nicholas Posted February 15 Author Report Posted February 15 (edited) Side by side comparison. I don’t think the sword is a real Kotetsu. I’m not that lucky Edited February 15 by Nicholas 1 Quote
Nicholas Posted February 16 Author Report Posted February 16 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. Quote
Lewis B Posted February 16 Report Posted February 16 There are collectors who specifically search out Kajihei forgeries. Definitely a niche market that can command some significant prices. Quote
Nicholas Posted February 16 Author Report Posted February 16 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. Quote
Lewis B Posted February 16 Report Posted February 16 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. Quote
PNSSHOGUN Posted February 16 Report Posted February 16 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. Quote
Nicholas Posted February 16 Author Report Posted February 16 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. Quote
Nicholas Posted February 16 Author Report Posted February 16 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. Quote
Ian B3HR2UH Posted February 17 Report Posted February 17 Here is the first page again hopefully with the correct alignment 2 Quote
Nicholas Posted February 18 Author Report Posted February 18 Thank you for taking the time to find and post these pages @Ian B3HR2UH I find it very interesting that Kajihei also made forgeries of Tadayoshi blades. It makes me wonder where he was sourcing these mumei blades to sign. Or if he was forging blades in the Hizen style and adding the signature. Quote
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