smith Shigetaka

[Klaver]

Hope you are all well here.

 

If anyone has any additional information about this smith (Shigetaka) I would greatly appreciate it. I already found some info but like to know everything. I understand it is difficult to know the date without meticulous research on the signature. I think it will be Edo period circa Kanbun (+/- 1661 - 1673).

 

If I am right the smith is Shitetaka second generation.

 

The signature is, so far I can understand,

 

Omote:

official district Harima-daojō 播磨大掾

clan Fujiwara 藤原

smith name Shigetaka 重高.

 

Ura:

place of work Echizen-ju 越前住,

 

I have this katana with its original koshirae.

 

I have also some thoughts about the "wazamono" this reflect the degree of sharpness in swords. I can find the smith in this list, do you expect it was used for test cutting because it became popularized in the Edo period.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Wazamono

I know for example you have some older katana’s that have inscriptions on their nakago that say things such as, "4 bodies with Ryu Guruma (hip cut)". On those katana’s you can find saidan mei consists name of the tester, cutting positions of the body and the number of body’s used for a cut. Do you think without this mentioning it will be incongruous, in other words it probably is not used for test cutting, of course you cannot know but wanna know the generals thought about this.

 

Many thanks.

[Geraint]

Hi Jordy.

 

I will answer with more thoughts when I have more time but Shigetaka is an interest of mine so would love to see some more of the sword. First three generations are supposed to have used the title Harima Daijo. Echizen ju on the other side of the nakago is usual.

 

Not sure about the question on cutting tests, obviously without a mei to this effect then one can speculate but it is meaningless. Clearly not all swords were tested in this way.

 

More later.

[cabowen]

If used in a cutting test, that info would be inscribed on the nakago.

[Klaver]

Here is the katana. It has a Ko itame hada well grained with jinie and flow. Jigane is dark and clear. The hamon is gunome midare with ashi in the ha at some spots. It really is in good condition.

[Geraint]

Hi Jordy,

 

Check this one out for information, http://www.ricecracker.com/inventory/85 ... etaka.html Another version of events has Shigetaka as a pupil of Yasutsugu, (in Tanto by Suzuki, number 226.)

 

Also this one, http://www.to-ken.com/full.php?article= ... &type=home which suggest that a key point is the way that the shige Kanji is cut.

 

And this one for a papered shodai with the Echizen ju on one side of the nakago. And this one for another papered example, http://yakiba.com/kat_shigetaka.htm

 

Not too much known but some interesting work.

 

All the best.

[Geraint]

And our posts have crossed. Looks like a very nice sword. What do you think of the sugata? Suggests a period doesn't it and this would help narrow things down.

 

Keep at it.

[Klaver]

A Shinogi Zukuri with a shallow Torii-Zori, so with the deepest part at the center. Motohabi : 2.95cm and Sakihabi: 1.96cm. I think this is really Edo period, less curve and chu-kissaki.

[Alex A]

Noticed this a while ago, may be of interest. If link doesnt work, shop word search shigetaka...

 

http://www.thelanesarmoury.co.uk/shop.php

[Klaver]

Thanks for the feed back so far! This one is with koshirae, I will take some picures later.