Which Norimitsu ?

[Stephen V]

Hello all again

 

I am still looking into the origins of my Bizen Norimitsu wakizashi.

 

Your invaluable assistance in past posts on this subject (see my original 2 June) has fairly positively identified the smith as Norimistu and dated to August 1465.

 

My problem is that the list of smiths that I have available to me points to two possible suspects. The list I am using is from an on-line site named http://www.sho-shin.com.

 

There is a 3rd generation Norimitsu dating from 1444 (Bun-An) and the other is a 4th generation dating from 1429 (Ei-Kyo). These are both of the Bizen province with the first being rated Jo-Saku and the latter Jo-Jo/Juyo.

 

I am assuming (in my complete ignorance in these matters) that the dates quoted are relating to the earliest recorded blades made by the smiths in this list? Given that I am correct in assuming this, then these would seem to be the only two possibilities.

 

I suppose that this is a fairly difficult question to resolve on line and maybe only one that can be resolved (if at all) when the blade is in hand during a restoration.

 

Anyway, should anyone have any thoughts they would be gratefully received.

 

 

 

Cheers

[Darcy]

The dates don't necessary follow any rationale. I think they are intended to mark the center of his production, estimated by the author.

 

Example from Fujishiro:

 

MASAHIDE SUISHINSHI [bUNKA 1804 MUSASHI] SHINSHINTÔ SAIJÔSAKU

 

His initial mei were Suzuki TAKUHIDE and HIDEKUNI, and his teacher was Shitahara Yoshihide. He changed to Masahide in An'ei Sannen (1774)

[...]

In Bunsei Gannen (1818) he changed to AMAHIDE, and he died on

Kugatsu Nijûshichinichi (9/27) the eighth year (1825)

 

So you have 1804 listed as the work date, with his work spanning approx. 25 years on either side.

 

With older koto smiths it is not always agreed on the number of generations or when they were working. With that in hand, it becomes difficult to take any particular piece and pin it to a particular smith, especially when the name gets handed down the line.

 

Often times for the purposes of Juyo Token the NBTHK will not make a distinction at all if attributing a mumei work. Signed work may just get a confirmation that the mei is good.

 

You may have to be the one in the end that determines the generation for your work.