Hizen Munetsugu

[Clive Sinclaire]

Gentlemen

There is a small Hizen Munetsugu quandary that I find myself in and hope that someone might be able to help.

I have been given a shinshinto katana signed “Hizen Kuni Minamoto Munetsugu saku” that the owner wants me to draw an oshigata of. I am reasonably sure that it is by the 8th generation as the mei compares well with that in Hizento no Tsuba (Vol 1, Page 221). This smith died in 1910 at the age of 77 which means that he was about 34 at the time of Hattori in 1876.

In all my relevant references (Hizen Taikan, Hizento Kokkeki, Fujishiro, Hizento no Tsuba and even Hawleys) only 8 generations of the line seem to be recorded.

However, in vol 2 of Hizento no Tsuba, there is a photograph of a sword-bearing samurai with a caption stating, I think, that it is the 9th generation Munetsugu. Given the dates of the 8th gen as 1833-1910 it seems impossible that this picture, presumably taken before the Hattori as he is wearing daisho, could be a 9th generation. It is of a mature man and I strongly suspect that it may actually be the 8th generation. It seems that the only reference that I can find of the very existence of the 9th generation, is the caption on this picture!

To further confuse me, in Roger Robertshaw's worthy Hizen tome, on page 27, although showing an 8th and 10th generation Munetsugu in the genology, the 9th gen seems to be missing! Any opinions on this and the existence of a 9th generation Munetsugu (maybe with a different name like some of the earlier generations?) would be most appreciated and I hope I am not being a total idiot (again!).

Regards

Clive

[Toryu2020]

Clive -

Not that I have the most extensive library but I went thru all my references and found no mention of a 9 dai Munetsugu except in the Hizen no Katana to Tsuba. I didn't find the picture you mention but on page 218 found the following;

 

"The 8 dai went thru a period when he lamented the state of swordmaking after the Haito-rei, he became active in local politics working as a village council member, he died Meiji 43 3 gatsu 20 nichi"

 

"...the 8 dai had 2 sons and daughters with his first wife, Hana. His eldest by this marriage Buichiro died young and the younger son had been adopted out to another family. So the family name and fortune went to Soichi (Munekazu), eldest son of his second wife, Yui. He had a career as a village council member. Soichi's son, Muneaki, in his turn inherited the name and fortune, he retired from a career as a "Flying squad" officer in the Prefectural Police" (by implication he was still living at the time of publication)

 

There were no photos or oshigata and no mention of any work by these guys. I am curious to know what you eventually do learn about your blade and 9 dai Munetsugu if there was one. If you can let me know what page your photo is on I would also like to see what info that yields...

 

-t

[Clive Sinclaire]

Hi Tom

Thanks a lot for that info. The picture is on page 17 (pic 53) of vol 2. It seems from the caption on this photo that 9th dai Munetsugu was actually the Muneaki that you say was Shoichi's son. However, as the man is wearing a daisho, it would appear that the pic was taken pre Hattori, too early for it to be 9th gen Munetsugu / Muneaki don't you think? I will let you know when I put the oshigata and info, including what you have kindly supplied, onto our website.

Cheers

CIive

PS I've tried to upload the pic but it won't let me.

[cabowen]

There were many photos taken post haito-rei which show people posed with swords so I wouldn't necessarily conclude the date of the photo on that basis....

[Clive Sinclaire]

HI Chris

I know what you are saying is true, the traditional haircut made me think otherwise, but I could be wrong.

Clive

By the way Chris, now that I have you, do you know anything of a swordsmith's biography from Taisho who according to Hawley's worked in Osaka and was the last of the Enju smiths. I understand you have had a tanto by him - Taro Enju Kunitoshi?

[cabowen]

H

By the way Chris, now that I have you, do you know anything of a swordsmith's biography from Taisho who according to Hawley's worked in Osaka and was the last of the Enju smiths. I understand you have had a tanto by him - Taro Enju Kunitoshi?

 

His family name was Kikuchi and he claimed to be the 17th generation in the Higo Enju line. As you mention, he worked in Osaka during the Taisho era. That is about the extent of what I have found....

[Clive Sinclaire]

Gentlemen

I apologise for reactivating this now dormant topic but I have received much alturistic help from board members in the research on this. I thought you might care to see the results, including my unworthy oshigata which is now on http://www.To-ken.com go to UK Sword Register, No.107. (I tried to put this under "Articles" on this noard but the techno defeated me).

Regards

Clive Sinclaire

[Jamie]

Thanks for sharing Clive

I think you did a good Job BTW.

[Brian]

Hi Clive,

Great job..glad we could be of any assistance. Love reading the updates on your pages.

Yep..the articles section is the one area on the forum that only I can upload to. If anyone has anything that belongs there, they can forward to me anytime.

 

Regards,

Brian