Hi. Would this be Goto Gimei?

[gauze3539]

Hi. it's my first item ever had in relation to nihonto. I saw some examples of gimei but still cannot figure it out

myself. Would this be Goto gimei? or I am a lucky guy? The job seems to be very well done. Thanks a lot.

 

 

Jason C.

[John A Stuart]

I doubt very much if this fuchi was made by Goto Kanjo (Mitsusuke) who is the same as maybe Ranjo the son of Enjo; H2636 Check for signature of this smith and compare; that is if you believe the work meets Goto standards. John

[raven2]

Hi Jason,

 

What John is saying is that this does not look like Goto.

[sohei]

The signature does not look correct either. He has a distinct "mitsu", among many other differences in the signatures. This is from "Studies in Kyo Goto" by Koju Kasahara & Shigeo Akimoto. Kanjo Mitsusuke, he was the second son of Jujo Mitsumasa (the head of the family the 12th), and died in 1798. Enjo Mitsutaka, his elder brother, succeeded to the family head (the 13th), and Keijo Mitsumori, his younger brother, was the 14th, after he was adopted. His works are few, but good.

 

[gauze3539]

Thank you very much. Especially these photos tell more precise answer. I would say kanji s are correct but it didn't get to write with high confidence

as much as real smiths could do since it's not a real. Thanks a lot for the photos and the book. That specific photos made it much more clear. Thanks.

 

Jason C.

[ROKUJURO]

Jason,

 

a correct MEI is only a confirmation for the overall quality of the item. Look at the FUCHI (as if it had no MEI) and compare it to some originals. Does it look like GOTO?

[Brian]

It is clearly not Goto. If the mei had been exact....it would have still been considered gimei.

Look at the nanako groundwork, compared to the Goto stuff found by searching this site.

 

Brian

[Jean]

It implies that you have never seen a Goto artifact nor a picture ... It is like comparing a baby's painting to a Rembrandt's one....

[Geraint]

Hi Jason.

 

Really sound advice here that the signature is not the most important thing. Learning to spot quality is important. Try comparing your fuchi with this, http://www.nihonto.com/4.26.12.html

 

Your fuchi is not bad and would look good mounted but compare it to this kozuka and you should start getting your eye in.

 

All the best.

[Jean]

http://www.ricecracker.com/fuchikashira ... apage3.htm

 

The second on the list. sober, elegant and refinement are words which describe this F/K.

 

Just google Goto menuki, f/k...

[Pete Klein]

This is by mainline Shirobei Goto Mitsutaka 13th utilizing a menuki by Goto Renjo 10th generation: Mon Renjo / Mitsutaka Kao

[BIG]

Hi Jean,

 

Thank's for that very nice dragonfly fuchi kachira!

 

Love dragonflies

 

Best Regards

[gauze3539]

This is by mainline Shirobei Goto Mitsutaka 13th utilizing a menuki by Goto Renjo 10th generation:[attachment=2]Z-05.jpg[/attachment][attachment=1]Z-04.jpg[/attachment][attachment=0]Z-06.jpg[/attachment] Mon Renjo / Mitsutaka Kao

 

 

That's Amazing. I can tell my fuchi nanako is different than original. Is that solid gold? foild gold ? Thanks.

 

Jason C.

[gauze3539]

Thank you very much for all good information guys. Is there any one can show me real goto F/K in heavily used condition? Pretty much all certified goto's works I can find on the online looks to be all mint condition as well as pete's beautiful F/K here. It gets interesting to know who would make a gimei on those things. Thanks.

 

Best Regards,

 

Jason C.

[ROKUJURO]

Jason,

 

there has always been a market for those buyers who do not have the opportunity to compare with the really fine work of the masters, and for those who are eager to believe in any signature, while not really looking at the quality aspects of the item involved. It has to do with eye training, and with a feeling for good quality.

 

Another side is the fact that copying an original in a fast and dirty way and selling it cheaply often finds a buyer faster than the original with it's high price. Obviously the human brain works that way unless trained otherwise.

 

High-end GOTO parts in heavily used condition? I doubt that you may find them! These quality items were in high esteem and respected although a wealthy owner might have had a number of good blades equipped on this quality level. Those who could afford GOTO items were probably not forced to wear their swords on a daily basis like a low-ranked SAMURAI.

 

On the other side even a heavily used GOTO KODOGU piece would still show its' high quality, at least to those who can see it!

[Pete Klein]

Jason, the shi shi on the fuchi is solid gold. Here is a kogai papered to the mainline third master, Joshin, showing wear. It was published in Token Bijutsu by Fukushi sensei:

 

 

As for who would make fakes, they are all over the place, just as Rokujuro implied. The study of the Goto families is very involved and complicated. It take decades to become proficient.

 

PS: The above kogai can be found on http://www.tetsugendo.com along with a great Goto Sojo kogai.