walkabout

Hello All, I should have done this a few days ago, but didn't notice or register that this thread was here. Right up-front, I will admit that I'm an antique dealer and that I'm not a collector of swords. I do have a couple and one or two are quite rare, but when one has a champagne appetite on a beer budget, one doesn't get too far. So I keep to areas I know and have more experience with. I collect many things and most of them are Japanese in origin. The 'antique dealer' part comes in to pay for my 'habit' - that of collecting and the 'rent'. I've asked to be a member of the forum for the sake of research. I have one very good friend that was a collector of swords for many years and asked me to sell his collection of 600+ items. For about 7 years now I've my way through the collection and have come down to the ones that I couldn't readily research or identify and that appear to be quite good. It has taken so long because I still have to maintain myself and I am doing the liquidation of the collection as a favor - no compensation involved. The friend is 88 (today), but his health has been rapidly declining and his memory is about completely gone. I guess the foregoing is my way of saying that I'm not here to solicit the members, it truly is for information to give my friend (now, his family - wife) a reasonable return. I promise to try and not be too much of a pain. It is good to see that there is such a forum as this as there are far too few knowledgeable sources for good information around. Best regards, walkabout

Hello Jacques, I've subsequently seen some examples of attributed to the Kanefusa school (Mino, isn't it?) that are given a date, though there is nothing other than the signature. Have you any idea what criteria is, or has been, used to date those pieces? I, personally, can't tell from the signature if there is a difference in the characters with the different generations - I'm not that good and neither is my vision any more, nor have I seen enough examples. I've collected Japanese tea bowls (chawan) for some time now and often, such as with Raku bowls, there have been many generations of the family that have made them. With each generation the seal or signature stamp has changed - sometimes subtly, sometimes significantly. I gather this is not the case with the swordsmiths? Is there a way to get an accurate dating on an older piece that would be agreed upon by more than one person? David

Hello Mark, Thank you for contributing. From buying tea bowls and other potteries, I can well appreciate trying to judge or make an estimate of a piece from only photographs and I appreciate your opinion. Would other photos help? If so, what in particular. Best regards, David

Thank you for your reply. Here are some more photos. Not being all that familiar with the terminology, I hope these show what you would be looking for. If the views are insufficient or not the right ones, please let me know.

'Evening all, Is it possible to tell which generation or time period a Kanefusa piece may have been made by the mark on the tang? I know that there are differences in the generational marks on raku and other styles of pottery, but I am not knowledgeable in swords. Is there reference material - in pottery, there is always 'Morse'. I've attached a photo of the mark. Any help is appreciated.

Hello Piers, Thank you for the input. I must admit that I've found this to be true in my research a number of the pottery pieces I collect, particularly chawan. Many I've not been able to get translated because of the style of writing or just the change of meaning over the years. In thinking about it, you are all too likely correct but part of my due diligence for my friends is to try. Your feedback is very much appreciated. Thank you, again. David

Good day, I'm a new member to the forum and would like to try and find out what is written on this kozuka blade. As preface, I've been an antique dealer for a number of years, dealing primarily with Japanese potteries and watercolors. A family friend with an elderly husband who collected edged weapons has asked me to sell a couple of things for them and one is a tanto with the name Kanefusa on the tang. With the tanto is a kozuka with writing on the blade. Now, I know just enough about the Japanese sword to be dangerous - to myself - and would like to see if I can get a reasonable guesstimation of the age of the piece or something to go on so I can offer the piece for a reasonable price to both the potential buyer and the lady and her husband. I'm doing this as a favor - without compensation - and I'm hoping, if the calligraphy can be read, that it might shed some light on the possible age of the piece, or value or whatever. If somebody can help, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.