Using Noshu vs Seki in a mei

[John C]

 

 

I have a general question about how mei were written on gunto.

I will use Kanehide as an example. Prior to being registered as a gunto smith, he wrote 'Noshu ju" then in 1943/44 he wrote "Seki Kanehide" then switched back to "Noshu ju" in 1945. Obviously, they are the same place so why switch? Does this have anything to do with where a smith was working or for whom? Or is this just the whimsey of the smith to change their mei for some reason known only to them?

 

John C.

[lonely panet]

good morning John, 

a interested question you have asked,  i dont see a system of quality in regards to noshu v seki.  a few example i can offer

FUKUMOTO AMIDHIDE  used Noshu  and hes a rather low quality smith

KOJIMA KANEMICH used Noshu and hes a good quality smith in both gendai and showa/seki-to

KANENOBU used Noshu- very well ranked smith

and  ASAON KANEZANE used both seki and noshu 

 

so i cant see a pattern that defines quality,  but its a good topic to discuss

[David Flynn]

Seki, is a town within Noshu(modern day Gifu).  So, it really doesn't matter which one is used. Don't forget they also used Noshu Seki Ju.

 

[John C]

7 hours ago, David Flynn said:

So, it really doesn't matter which one is used

Thank you, David. But does anyone know why they switch up like that? Specifically referring to Kanehide, he signed one way prior to becoming an RJT, signed a different way during his RJT days, then switched back. Why would he do that? If the reason is simply because he felt like it, then okay. I was just wondering if there was any particular reason, like a directive from an arsenal or something, a smith might do that. 

 

John C.

[David Flynn]

Probably just depended on his mood, or who it was made for.

 

[eternal_newbie]

In the past, when I commissioned a sword for kobudo, the smith asked me if I had any preference in how he should sign. So there's that to consider as well.