Nagamitsu? Would like opinions please!

[Jiro49]

Just got this today in trade from a member here and though I think its gimei I wanted some opinions..

 

Koto Mino school is what I think it is...

 

Feel free to turn me into cannon fodder

[Mark]

there are a lot of smiths named Nagamitsu. it is signed katana mei.

[John A Stuart]

Hi Matt, From a Bizento signature to thinking it is really Minoto. That is a huge jump. Could you explain your reasoning? In other words, does it not display Bizen characteristics at all? Given it is gimei, and why gimei? This could be good for a lesson; with better pics of course. John

[nagamaki - Franco]

Tough to say much from pics, except nakago jiri, mei, and presence of nie might be suggesting something other than Bizen or Mino. Usually there is an obvious give away with mainline swords as to which, this could well be a side school, Kaga???? maybe, here's where research and experience seeing many different known works becomes invaluable.

[Jiro49]

Thank you all! I will add more pics today.

 

The nei and sunagashi led me away from Bizen. I guessed mino because to me it looks similar to the Ise smiths who sometimes combined a mino/soshu traits.

 

Just a guess to get things started

[Jiro49]

Doesn't the kanji for naga look strange?

[kunitaro]

when you see,

The sugata,

Sakizori with funbari, Width different of Saki and Moto-haba, High Shinogi, a biｔ longish Kissaki...

It is typical Koto Mino-den-uchigatana,

 

Ji and Ha,

Itame hada on Ji, Shinogi-ji is Masame hada,

Tighter Nioi-kuchi, kind of lough (ara) Nie and Sunagashi.

(It is different from Soshu-den's)

It is also Koto-Mino-den.

 

And The Mei,

Naga xxx...

Only possibility is Naga-Katsu (Mino, Bunmei 1469-1486)

I don't have example of this mei, and i can not judge by the photo.

you have to see the patina of nakago and bottom of the mei, (under dust)

and you have to see the quality of the Nakago,

genaral nakago shape, Shinogi-line, Niku-oki, mune, and ha side,

What do you think about Nakago ? and Patina ?

Also, check darker Patina, make sure there is no burned rust to avoid re-tempered.

(because, there is many re-tempered blade in koto, because it was for weapon)

 

by this, you can guess the mei is good or not without example.

 

from only the photos, we can think of the blade could be Mid-Muromachi Mino-den, or Late Muromachi Kuwana-uchi with Gimei(Taba-ganata). or some parts of Hamon looks like Muramasa(Sengo) !?!?

 

When you see in your hand, or if you can compare with another sword(s). It is easy to recognize.

 

After this study,

sending to Shinsa for confirmation of the study, not for investment or gambling.

 

However, This is not very wise way to study sword.

This is not really studying a sword...just guessing and discussion until get a result (answer) which is maybe Hozon paper,,,,

The real study begin from there...

It will cost more money and time to reach one level than buying or seeing Already authorized blade.

After you can recognized good blade, then you can go for un-authorized blade hunting...

This is my opinion.

 

If the subject is about the cost and value,,, then it's different stories...

[Jiro49]

Kunitaro sama, thank you for the reply! I said Ise as I didn't want to mention muramasa den.

 

Could you provide me the kanji for taba-ganata since I can't find the definition anywhere.

 

KUWANA UCHI –Forgeries of Bizen blades by Kuwana and Ise smiths.

 

The above makes perfect sense as there are two almost koshi-no-hiraita formations on the blade.

 

Respectfully,

[John A Stuart]

Me too. Maybe Tabagatana 束刀 bundle sword. Kazuuchimono 数打ち物 John

[kunitaro]

Yes, exactry correct !

meaning of Mass production.

 

They are called "Gatana" in Japan.

Shorten from "Taba-Gatana".

 

To recognized Kazuuchimono and Meito is the main point of studying the level of quality which is more important than Gokaden Kantei.

It is called "Buke-Mekiki" (Samurai style Kantei).