Eric H

This detailed commentary confirms the importance of provenance and its effect to value. In order of importance can be said simplified, the proved possession by a historic person, f.e. Musashi‘s sword, would be regarded as „higher important“ than f.e. a highly rated sword from a Daimyo family. Back to the two swords nick-named Ima-Aranami-Ichimonji. The referenced Ima-Aranami-Ichimonji from TB No. 566 is in my opinion the juyo-bunkazai meibutsu tachi pictured in Nihon-Koto-Shi. Eric

Named sword - is it possible that the juyo-bunkazai Tachi „Ima-Aranami-Ichimonji“ has a double? nihonto.com has for sale a JuTo Tachi also named „Ima Aranami Ichimonji“ ex Kitsuregawa Daimyo family. In the description: This blade is also referenced In Junji Honma‘s publication, Nihon Koto Shi. It can be found in Chapter 19 which was published in the NBTHK‘s Token Bijutsu No. 566, page 24. pic 1 - the Juyo Bunkazai blade, 69.1 cm, is illustrated in the german book Nihon-koto-shi page 95 (translated by Markus Sesko) pic 2 - the JuTo blade from nihonto.com, 68.5 cm These are two different swords, bearing the same name. Eric

Yes, indeed, if the provenance from a historical individual is doubtlessly proved, the price of such a sword will increase in proportion to that person‘s importance in History. A six year old VW Golf formerly owned by Pope Benedikt XVI was sold for € 188‘938.88 at Auction 2005. Michael Jackson one glove $ 192,000 at auction 2010. John Wayne‘s Buckle „Red River 1946“, stolen, is estimated $ 100,000 when auctioned. But i‘m afraid swords with this background aren't available, they are stored in Museums or as family heirlooms. Eric

Oya Kunisada is rated by Fujishiro Jo-jo saku = Superior-superior made, he is only one step in skill behind his son. Eric .

Based on the mei it is the work by Oya Kunisada. Eric

Citation Nobuo Nakahara: ...if it is Mitsutada not, that is fine, but if not, you should not think about getting rid of it just because it is not made by a famous smith. This is not the way of a true sword enthusiast. Amassing a collection that consists only of brand-name works is rather superficial. Eric

most likely gimei

Any search for Bizen kuni Osafune ju will be unsuccessful, but two examples of Bishu Osafune ju. The gassaku mei states explicitly that Harumitsu, his son, lived in the same town -Osafune ju- as his father Katsumitsu (Osafune onaji tokoro ju or Osafune dosho ju)...i.e. the same place. Eric

Jean, Exactly what I said in my first posting. I don‘t have the Nihon to Koza. The mei of this Tanto is suspect because of the placement of the ju...is this evidence enough to judge as gimei? As the gassaku work by Katsumitsu and Munemitsu has been mentioned twice, I add the pic. It‘s a Juyo Bijutsuhin. Don‘t miss to read Marcus‘ Blog on Workmanship of the later Bizen Tradition. Eric Marcus' Blog: http://markussesko.wordpress.com/2013/0 ... tradition/

I have noticed examples where the ju is placed after Osafune, but only in combination with „Bishu Osafune ju....“ About this Eisho Katsumitsu is known that gassaku works exists with Sakyo no Shin Munemitsu, Yosozaemon no Jo Sukesada and with his son Jirobei no Jo Harumitsu. Assumed that this Tanto hasn‘t been polished in Japan I would submit it to NTHK-NPO Shinsa this month in Tampa. BTW, the Fuchi/Kashira of this Tanto have been changed, the pair that is mounted now seems to be the original. Eric

In my understanding the kanji ju usually follows the kuni. Bizen kuni ju Osafune Katsumitsu dosho ju Harumitsu. Eric

The tsukamaki in dark brown color is an 8 string jabara style done by the son of the head master of the Ichinose family. Eric

Florian, You are a collector like me, perhaps in the starting phase. From my own experience you live and learn. Keep your Tanto in high esteem. Eric

Florian, Am I right to think that you have written the following „Ueberlegungen zum ästhetischen Verständnis des Japanischen Kunstschwertes“...or no? Well...a very interesting read. Eric

Florian, I‘m amused. A sword-shop deals with swords, which in most cases are accompanied with an origami. The goal of an origami or paper is to certify a mei, thus confirming the opinion of the issuer. JTK (Juho Token Kenkyukai) its leader is Kobayashi Yukinobu. In his opinion the mei on your Tanto belongs to the Masakage with the unusual kanji kage, hence this Masakage is easily to identify...the mei I'm posting is different to yours Tanto mei. My comment is not intended to criticize the quality ot the Tanto. Eric

Florian, How reliable is this JTK paper and worth in your opinion? Eric

Masakage on the JTK origami is written correct for itself. The kanji kage is seldom seen written this way. For further information on Masakage - Suzuki Masao - Suishinshi Masatsugu - look at Sesko Lexikon p.313. Eric

Ron The sky's the limit :lol: Eric

A hana-gatana, 22 cm, by Naotane with koitame hada in nioi deki. Picture B from „Fresh out of the woodwork nihonto“ Eric

Have a look at Sesko Lexikon p.443 - Nagashige - to find the various speculations of his historic background. Eric

Eric

Swords by Kiyondo are rarely offered for sale. It might be useful to give some more informations about this smith. A peculiarity is the number of his diverse mei, from 1872 to 1874 he signed with Kiyomaru. Table 1 Typical hakikake in the kaeri of the boshi Katana with mei Kiyohito, Ansei ninen Nakago from the book "Kurihara Nobuhide" by Noboru Toyama, p.64... the mei is very questionable. Table 2 Tanto mei Kiyomaru, Meiji gonen Eric

MFA Boston: http://educators.mfa.org/artwork?search=tsuba%20tiger Mito Katsura Sorin Shoami School Eric

A comparison...but slight differences are also seen in the shoshin mei and kao. Eric

Owari Tokei with sword...http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/Owari3.html