Hankei Puzzler

[Ron STL]

Here is an interesting wakizashi-size kogarasumaru sword that has me puzzled. I've not seen the actual sword, only a few photos. From what I can read, the nakago reads: (?) Amakuni Toshi Hankei (dated) Kan-ei 13 September (1636). From the photos my first impression was a gendai-to made is kogarasumaru form, a copy of Amakuni's sword. I can't locate the first kanji and I question how "Toshi" fits in. I'm sure it's not something made by Hankei and from 1636. Some feedback would be appreciated. I hope to handle the sword sometime soon to judge quality, but for now this is all I have.

Ron STL

Hankei kogarasu maru.docx

[SAS]

Can't see the photo.

[John A Stuart]

You got me there Ron. Closest is perhaps, Sha 冩 (draw, compose or write) Amakuni 天國. Then Ju 壽 (long life) and Hankei 繁慶 Boy, need the pros for this. John

[Jussi Ekholm]

I think the first one would be 寫 Meaning copying (different form of writing utsushi): http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E5%AF%A

[Darcy]

Odd.

 

Hankei had a habit of signing on the shinogi and he engraved his mei rather than using a traditional chiseling technique. 

 

This mei crosses the shinogi but since there are horimono in the nakago he's gone right in there like he just don't care.

 

There are no Juyo like this. 

 

One of his distinctive things is a nakago shape that looks like no other swordsmith and it's not here, as it's claimed to be a copy. 

 

Those mekugiana though are not copies of it. Nor is the horimono though the nakago a copy of it. They sure are conveniently placed to wipe out some kanji though. It would be worthwhile to see the work and if it's in keeping with his skill.

[Ron STL]

Good to read I'm not the only one puzzled by this sword. If it works, I'll attach an overall photo showing the sword's sugata, albeit a not too clear photo. The first kanji being a variant for utsushi makes sense, but it would be nice to find it written in this exact form. Then there is that Toshi character before Hankei which doesn't seem to fit in. Maybe somebody will come up with a good explanation of this puzzler.

Ron STL

[DirkO]

John and Jussi are right with the kanji "sha" 冩. I have it on one of my pieces as well.

 

 

 

[Ron STL]

That's it for sure. Thanks for confirmation, Dirk.  Ron STL