Date Help (Please)

[Cuirassier]

Hi Guys

I wonder if anyone can help me with the date on a tang?

It is worn.

I was told it is 1504, but do not believe it (I have a reference book, I checked for 1504 but the characters are not there for me).

I have also put the mei up; Yasumitsu.

I have not been here for a while; the new style looks great

Any helpers, please :-)

Regards

Mark

 

 

[John A Stuart]

If Bunkijidai 文亀 3 it is 1503. John

[Cuirassier]

Thanks John

You obviously have much better eyes (and experience) then me; I can not see the 亀 character anywhere above

[John A Stuart]

I can assure you I have not better eyes. That date you were quoted 1504, I think they added 3 to 1501 and got 1504, leaves Bunki as the only viable period. Given 文 is true the following kanji is unreadable to me and I am suspecting it must be either 亀 or some equivalent analogue I am not aware of. That is why I said, 'if' to leave room for alternatives. John

[IanB]

Mark,  I see Bunan  third year  文　安　三　年  which would be 1444 + 3 -1 or 1446 as the date and the signature as Bishu Osafune ?mitsu

Ian Bottomley

[John A Stuart]

That seems more likely. Ian has the eyes or is it aye's. John

[Gunome]

Mark,  I see Bunan  third year  文　安　三　年  which would be 1444 + 3 -1 or 1446 as the date and the signature as Bishu Osafune ?mitsu

Ian Bottomley

 

yasumitsu ?

康光

[Cuirassier]

yasumitsu ?

康光

Thank you; you beat me to it. I originally also thought Yasumitsu (see my original post) but am now having doubts.

[Cuirassier]

Mark,  I see Bunan  third year  文　安　三　年  which would be 1444 + 3 -1 or 1446 as the date and the signature as Bishu Osafune ?mitsu

Ian Bottomley

Hello Ian

Thank you very much. I can see it now, of course. I was so sure 1504 was wrong.

[Cuirassier]

Thank you; you beat me to it. I originally also thought Yasumitsu (see my original post) but am now having doubts.

No, I am now sure it is Yasumitsu, I suppose 3rd generation; http://nihontoclub.com/smiths/YAS849