Yoshimichi : which generation?

[Maxime Chouinard]

Hello everyone,

I have recently found this katana which bears the signature of Tanban no kami Yoshimichi. It seems very similar to the mei of the 4th generation Kyo, but I would I am wondering if more experienced members could chime in. Unfortunately, the blade was heavily scratched and tarnished, so it is almost impossible to see any grain or hamon. It looks to have been polished quite a few times during its lifetime judging by the fairly small ha machi. 

 

The yasurime is also difficult to see due to the thick patina on the nakago, but it looks sujikai/o-sujikai.

 

Thank you in advance.

[Maxime Chouinard]

For added attention, here is the tsuba that came with it. Any ideas on which maker or school this may belong to would be very welcome.

 

 

[Maxime Chouinard]

I also forgot to mention that I am not looking to sell this sword nor its fittings. 

[Geraint]

Dear Maxime.

 

The tsuba is a Nagoya mono, one of the designs that occur frequently.  A useful thread here, 

All the best.

 

 

[Maxime Chouinard]

Thank you!

[ROKUJURO]

TANBA no KAMI YOSHIMICHI (not Tanban)

Maxime,

did you compare with

https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/shop/tanba-no-kami-yoshimichi-丹波守吉道/?srsltid=AfmBOooFLRvYG1Xy4nJXbhStYMhHk_D-NB3kVDG3LCAGQkhgaDHDTbTc

Just comparing the signatures will probably not be enough. It is always the work which is the important factor in KANTEI. Since the polish on your blade is not good, it might be a problem.

Most doubtful is the KIKU symbol above the MEI. The photo is not good, but I think this is not well made so I would not have high hopes that your sword is a genuine YOSHIMICHI one (who was a very famous swordsmith and was often faked). 

[Maxime Chouinard]

Thank you Jean. The photo is making a lot of details look very off, chiefly the kiku which looks much more amateurish than it really is. 

 

The link is showing a blade by the first generation Yoshimichi, but I think mine is from the 4th Kyoto generation. I have compared it to many blades by that specific smith, and find the characters to be an exact match, with the kiku being the one detail that varies the most among different examples, namely the way the button is carved in.

To illustrate my point, I made a superposition of this oshigata and the mei of the present sword. https://www.aoijapan.net/katana-kikumon-tamba-no-kami-yoshimichi-kyo-fouth-generation/

 

 

Edited April 12 by Maxime Chouinard
A sentence needed clarification.