Tsuka Looks Old

[Gordon Sanders]

I thought i would put this out here for discussion

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/K310-Japanese-sword-in-mountings-Izumi-no-kami-Kunisada-/361817101985?hash=item543dfad6a1

[SAS]

I like the seller and have bought other items from him in the past; the state of polish and sketchy provenance of the mei ( I suspect gimei) leaves me out even if I were in the market.

[Guido]

I thought i would put this out here for dicussion

So, what's *your* opinion (and why)?

[Red Sun]

I had a close look at this one because I rate first and second generation Kunisada blades a lot.

It is representing to be a second generation with Shinkai jishin mei. I have to say the signature does not look too bad. However appraising the sword and ignoring the mei is the only way forward = even if it is a genuine signature the blade does not have the aggressive, stubby, all business, geometry and overall feel that I would look for in a Kunisada. In the very last picture you do get this impression slightly, however it is not convincing enough for me to part with my hard earned.

I do like the the tsuka design however!

Regards

Red

 

Neil M 

[Red Sun]

Aggressive....stubby....all business = Kunisada!

 

 

[Ray Singer]

An example of an early tsuka.

http://www.nihonto.us/HIDARI%20KANEYASU%20KATANA.htm

 

And a Shinkai signed with the Kunisada mei.

http://www.aoijapan.com/katana-izumi-kami-kunisada-the-2nd-generation-inoue-shinkai

 

Best regards,

Ray

[Red Sun]

An example of an early tsuka.

http://www.nihonto.us/HIDARI%20KANEYASU%20KATANA.htm

 

And a Shinkai signed with the Kunisada mei.

http://www.aoijapan.com/katana-izumi-kami-kunisada-the-2nd-generation-inoue-shinkai

 

Best regards,

Ray

If I am catching the drift the a.o.i. sword is forged by second generation but signed by first?

It even seems to have a poorly struck chisel strike on the 'Kun' kanji indicating his failing eyesight = almost cliched Kunisada which in some circumstances might be a concern - but that a.o.i. blade is fantastic. 

 

The photo I posted above is I believe the opposite - forged by Oya Kunisada and signed on his behalf by Shinkai.

I will probably be able to post a photo of the mei a bit later if relevant.

 

Regards

Neil 

[Red Sun]

Sosho mei....         (

[SwordGuyJoe]

Sosho mei.... (

Sorry to disagree, but I don't see a sosho mei there.

[Red Sun]

Really?

Im happy to be contradicted I have very little money into the sword. It has not been to shinsa, all my own amateur kantei!

 

Are you saying that is not how you read it - or that it is is gimei? 

 

Thanks

[Geraint]

Dear Neil.

 

I think that Joe may be suggesting that the script is not sosho.

 

Gordon, you headed the post with a reference to an old tsuka, Ray has posted a link which illustrates an old tsuka, I think this one is just plain worn out.

 

All the best.

[Jean]

The script is classical and not sosho. Sosho script looks like dripping spaghetti

[SwordGuyJoe]

Sorry for not providing more information. I was indeed referring to the script and not the mei itself. Sosho mei looking like the smith carved the mei in the middle of a bender and slurred his kanji.

[Jim P]

Hi Neil, I had a quick look at that Kunisada mei but only found 2 mei done like that so you will have a hard time working out if its mei is shoshin ? in the first and second there are some differences ? it was in the shinto_meikan and http://www.nihontocraft.com/Izumi_no_Kami_Kunisada_mei.html   and Danny lists it as a Sosho mei   

[Red Sun]

Thanks - food for thought -  Kunisada's sosho writing is not typical of the usual sosho script it seems.

I will need to look for more verified examples of this cross over period signature for comparison.

 

The sword mentioned in OP post has now sold I see - I did like the koshirae, all be it worn Edo as observed, it would make a great sword to give a horse lover!

 

Such a shame about the koshirae on the a.o.i Kunisada mentioned above - that blade really deserves better in my opinion.

 

Cheers