KAWARI DEKI

[Eric H]

I have read there are collectors in Japan who put to the test to supposed „experts“ by presenting for kantei a sword in „kawari deki“, i.e. not representing the smiths typical blade characteristics.

 

As an example

 

Tanto: 22,2 cm

Sori: muzori

Motohaba: 2.1 cm

Kasane: 0.41 cm

Jitetsu: small itame hada well grained with much jinie and chikei appears

Hamon: small niedeki suguha brightly hamon and in the ha many small ashi works

Kenmakiryu is engraved and on the reverse side a bohi

 

Any ideas on the maker of this Tanto?

 

Eric

[Eric H]

As expected no guesses ....this Tanto with a hoso suguha hamon in nie-deki is signed

 

BIZEN OSAFUNE KAGEMITSU

KARYAKU NI-NEN JU-GATSU HI (1327)

 

Bizen Kagemitsu is famous for his kataochi gunome hamon in nioi-deki. According to Nobuo Nakahara, the quality of a sword is primarily judged on the quality of its nioi-guchi and he states Kagemitsu‘s nioi-guchi to be exemplary and perfect.

 

The Tanto on the zufu is signed

 

BISHU OSAFUNE JU KAGEMITSU

SHOCHU NI-NEN JUICHI-GATSU HI (1325)

 

Nagasa: 26 cm

Sori: slight uchizori

Motohaba: 2.25 cm

Mitsu-mune

Jitetsu: tight itame hada with ji-nie and chikei

Hamon: kataochi gunome, with ashi and kinsuji in the ha, the nioi-guchi is bright

Bo-utsuri

Horimono: Kurikararyu and on the ura Gomabashi

 

Eric

[Brian]

Eric,

There was no way to really take a guess on that one..already knowing it looked nothing like its maker's usual works

I wouldn't have called Bizen there at all. Hoso suguha leading one way off track of course.

 

Brian