Which Honami?

[Darcy]

This is on a 1928 dated shirasaya and is not Honami Koson (or his standard one anyway). It is close to what would seem to be an earlier Kao for Koson that is listed in Yamanaka though not a perfect match. So, I'm thinking that either it is very early Koson or else Honami Koga but that is just a guess.

 

Anyone have a reference that matches?

[Eric H]

It is close to what would seem to be an earlier Kao for Koson

Eric

[Darcy]

That's a little bit confusing quoting it like that lol, I wasn't sure who was replying.

 

The first one is the one that looks like this kao but it is not the same.

 

This sword passed Juyo under Dr. Honma's care and then passed Tokubetsu Juyo, both in agreement with the sayagaki. So the situation is interesting.

[Eric H]

That's a little bit confusing quoting it like that lol, I wasn't sure who was replying.

Sorry my mistake. Anyway I add a kinzogan mei with the earlier kao.

Eric

[cabowen]

It's the early Koson kao. Not exactly the same, clearly, as the reference, but writing on a saya is not the same as on a piece of paper and there may be some variation early on as well....Buy the blade, not the sayagaki....

[nagamaki - Franco]

Another example, NBTHK certified

 

 

 

 

[Eric H]

Koson‘s later kao is well documented, whether as sayagaki, kinpun- or shu-mei and also from his origami. The early kao seems to be a rare finding. The two examples which Morita san has posted as reply in another topic are from Nakahara‘s book.

I add a last example for comparison, however this is not certified.

 

Eric

[Darcy]

Thanks guys!