Echizen Shigetaka

[Lee Bray]

I have a long wakizashi, nagasa 23 1/2 inches, which is signed - Harima Kanbei No Jo Shigetaka Roku Dai Shison Zo.

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=8551

 

It is dated Kanbun + 3, so 1663.

 

It has Tokubetsu Kicho papers.

 

So, the mei says it is 6th generation Shigetaka but the date of 1663 would suggest 3rd generation, 1661 -1681, according to Hawley.

Hawley puts the 6th gen at 1744.

 

Is the information in Hawley wrong or do I have a gimei blade with fake Kicho papers?

Or is this another Shigetaka not of the long Echizen lineage?

Does anyone have oshigata for the 3rd or 6th gen for comparison?

I believe the mei and date are inscribed by the same hand.

 

Pictures of the sword if interested.

http://picasaweb.google.com/10838600671 ... Shigetaka#

 

Cheers,

Lee

[Clive Sinclaire]

Gentlemen

My nidai Echizen Shigetaka is a Kanbun period sword. See ww.To-ken.com and go to UK Sword Register 105 for oshigata and notes on the lineage etc.

Regards

Clive Sinclaire

[Eric H]

Nakago Katana nidai Shigetaka, 61.8 cm, Kambun jidai

 

Eric

[Eric H]

So, the mei says it is 6th generation Shigetaka but the date of 1663 would suggest 3rd generation, 1661 -1681, according to Hawley.

Well, this is a puzzle

 

See UK Sword Register No: 105 http://www.to-ken.com/swordregister/No105.htm

 

Harima Daijo Shigetaka - Fujishiro Shinto Hen

Nakago

 

Eric

[Lee Bray]

A puzzle indeed.

Why fake the mei of the 6th gen Shigetaka who seems to be a run of the mill smith and then why fake papers to verify it as such?

 

The three kanji with question marks read - Yo Ito-Zou ("given to Itozou"), and the Japanese dealer that recently translated them also said he had no doubt the mei was gimei based on the carving style.

The date discrepancy is enough to confirm to me that it is gimei and that the papers are fake, though.

 

Thanks for the help, guys.