Can anyone provide some advice on a Minamoto Moriyoshi blade

[Jamie321]

Hi - I wondered if anyone knew anything about the smith Moriyoshi and whether he is viewed as collectable. I believe he was reasonably prolific, but have struggled to find much detail on him. I was looking at Aoi Art and found this sword by him and was quite tempted to add it to my collection, but I am inexperienced when it comes to shinsakuto blades.

 

Would any one be able to provide any insight into the quality of the blade and its standing in the collecting world relative to an antique blade please?

 

Link:

 

http://www.aoijapan.com/katana-hishu-8d ... 8-gatsu-hi

[Jean]

I personally consider Japanese antiques as artifacts being made before 1868.

 

This being said, collecting Mukansa swords can't be a mistake. The one shown in your link is at the average price of other mukansa blades. This one is quite spectacular and pleasant. Of course, it is of quality being from Mukansa. Now, why not having a modern one in an Antique collection? Once I have completed my gokkaden collection, I shall go after a Masamine blade.

[cabowen]

He was a very good smith. I have seen many of his swords and while this one certainly looks very nice, it seems very cheap compared to what I have seen his work sell for in the past. Usually his work is in the $12K-$15K range. I would think his work is quite collectible. He is well known for his Kiyomaro copies. There have been many smiths working in the Kiyomaro style but Moriyoshi and So Tsutomu san are usually considered to be the most successful in their attempts.

[Ted Tenold]

Looks like a very nice sword by him at a good price. The mei reads Hishu [Yatsushiro] though, not 8 dai. Glad I'm not the only one that's made that mistake.

[Ray Singer]

Hi Jamie, I would recommend the following book which includes a chapter dedicated to his son Enju Nobutsugu and contains remembrances of Moriyoshi. Moriyoshi was among the better smiths who were pursuing Kiyomaro and I have always found his work to be consistently excellent. Like Chris and Ted, I think this sword is very well priced for his work. I primarily collect koto, but if I owned just one shinsakuto it would be a Moriyoshi.

 

http://www.amazon.com/New-Generation-Ja ... wordsmiths

 

- Ray

[raiden]

Having bought many Moriyoshi, I can say that the one in question looks like a nice one. I still have a very nice one in my collection (a naginata zukuri Kiyomaro copy). And, at that price it seems like it is a great deal if you don't get out bid. I paid much more for mine. :)Good luck!

[Jamie321]

Many thanks for the kind replies. Is any one able to confirm the date the sword was made please?

[takakage]

Hi,

 

It seems that Moriyoshi has got 2 nakago jiri and yasuri me

 

http://www.aoijapan.com/katana-hishu-8d ... 8-gatsu-hi

Sligth kurijiri and sujikai

http://www.aoijapan.com/katana-hisyu-jy ... word-maker

as kongo byoe

[Jean]

Jamie,

 

Watch the bids. This site is full of lurkers....