Need Opinions on Style and Motiff of Fittings

[Edward G]

Good evening all:

 

Attached are photos of a recent tanto acquisition. As you can tell all the fittings are consistently portraying the same theme. The Fuchi, Kashira, Kogai, Kozuka and even the menuki have similarities. They are all inlaid with gold, not brass. I believe that the central pattern is a variation of the Kiri (Paulownia) Mon.....On one side of the Fuchi there are only two flowers, while on the opposite side there are three flowers. In any event all opinions are very welcome.....As you can tell the tanto blade is quite old and I cannot make out the Mei or date on the tang. The cutting edge measures 23.5 centimenters or 9.25 inches. It is a very impressive piece to add to my collection. Thank you for your thoughts.

 

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Edward G/

[Soshin]

Hi Edward G.,

 

I can't offer any more information about the style or motif then you already have. One thing I can offer is an opinion and mine is that the craftsmanship of the whole set is wonderful. Could you provide a close-up of the habaki? From the indirect photos the Habaki also looks like it is of a high level of craftmanship to match the other fittings. Thanks for sharing. :D

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David S.

[Edward G]

David S.

 

Thank you for your kind comments, I too am enjoying this new toy. Attached are pictures of the Habaki, which is unusual as well.

 

 

 

Edward G.

[Henry Wilson]

The koshirae is Aikuchi and looks like a style found often in the Edo period. The quality and condition look good. It seems to have traits in common with the second down at this link:

 

http://www.nihonto.ca/tanto-koshirae/

[Nobody]

I think that the style is also called as Issaku Koshirae (一作拵え), when all fittings have the same theme in identical design.

[Guido]

Another term for matching fittings is Soroe-Kanagu (揃え金具). In this particular case it seems to be Higo inspired, IMO Edo-Higo (江戸肥後).

[Mark Green]

I agree with Guido, Edo-Higo

Mark G

[Henry Wilson]

What traits do you see that make it Higo?

[Guido]

What traits do you see that make it Higo?

Uhm, something like this: http://nihontou.jp/choice03/iai/kodougu/5.jpg ...?

[Henry Wilson]

Thanks Guido. I agree with you

 

The overall shape of the koshirae looks Higo too IMHO.

 

See number 12 at this link:

http://www007.upp.so-net.ne.jp/m-kenji/koshirae/uchigatana-goshirae.html

[Mark Green]

It looked to me to have classic Higo Zogan. Not that old, or very well taken care of.

 

Mark G

[Soshin]

It looked to me to have classic Higo Zogan. Not that old, or very well taken care of.

 

Mark G

 

I would agree with Mark G. The fitting look nice but the ito or whatever that is on the tsuka doesn't looks like it is in very good condition. The redoing of the tsuka would make the koshirae look really nice in my opinion.

 

 

 

Yours truly,

David S.

[Edward G]

Thanks to all who have shared an opinion on this Tanto. I am posting some additional pictures of the Habaki that may be of interest to David S. who commented about further pictures on this subject, as you can tell it is a signed piece., Nothing at all leads me to think that the fittings are in any way new, but rather original edo period.

If someone could translate the signature on the Habaki, perhaps this would give a clue as to when it was fitted to the Tanto.

 

 

 

Thanks again, I really do appreciate everyone's input on this.

Edward G.

[nagamaki - Franco]

but the ito or whatever that is on the tsuka doesn't looks like it is in very good condition

 

Some of the 'Baleen' may be damaged or missing, still, I would try to carefully preserve what remains of it as well as possible (no direct handling), as it is a rather unique and somewhat fragile feature which should be appreciated. As for the habaki mei and style

Hi,

Very nice Habaki. !!!

 

The mei says "Omori Hidehiko + kao " . 大森英彦

Maybe, later generation of Omori school.(?)

I don't know the period.

 

Overall my guess is later Edo for this koshirae.