katana mei pheasant leg

[JeanEB]

Hi guys and gals, was hoping to learn a little bit based on a current auction. I saw this listing online which raised a few red flags in my mind

https://www.jauce.com/auction/l1224614494

 

while the nakago seems extremely aged up the rest of the blade looks much more recent with an intact boshi which is curious

the pheasant-leg nakago in my mind does not belong with a katana-mei given two different time periods. 

 

Without even going into the mei veracity (it's likely gimei anyway), I guess my question is if anybody here has ever seen this combination of pheasant-leg, nakago patina and blade condition? or is it either a welded on tang or artificially aged one?

 

Thank you for any insight

[John C]

When  you say pheasant-leg, are you referring to the one labeled kijimomo?

 

John C.

[eternal_newbie]

Yes, kijimomo (雉子股) translates to "pheasant's leg/thigh".

 

Although personally, I mentally translate it as "drumstick" 

[Geraint]

Dear Jeb.

 

The particular shape of the nakago is designed to accomodate a specific type of tachi mount as per this thread.  

 

As to the blade you posted it is not nor does it claim to be an early blade so several possibilities exist apart from gimei.  A customer might have comissioned it to mount in a similar tachi mount or as a copy of a well known blade, an utsushi mono. Or perhaps the smith was doing it to further his own skill.  In summary neither the shape of the nakago nor the placement of the mei are exclusive features with regard to the period of manufacture.

 

Hope that helps.

 

All the best.

[JeanEB]

Geraint thanks for the answer! I did think it was a kijimono, didn't know those tangs were associated with a fitting style, thought it was an era distinction. Thanks for teaching me!