Help Find Mei On A Nagamaki Wakizashi

[Sly]

Hi All.

 

I am considering to acquire a new blade. I found this one. it's a nagamaki zukuri shape and it's suriage. I think it could become a good blade with the appropriate polish.

But I can't read the mei. I think it's "Kane-something".

 

Could you help me and as an option, give me your opinion on the restoration issue ?

 

Thanks a lot guys !

 

[Shugyosha]

Hi Sylvain,

 

Markus Sesko has two smiths signing "Ogaki ju Kane..." . The top of the last kanji just visible could pass for 氏, so I think there's a good chance that it's one of these.

 

KANEUJI (兼氏), Genroku (元禄, 1688-1704), Mino – “Shizu Saburō Kaneuji” (志津三郎兼氏), “Nōshū Ōgaki-jū Shizu Saburō Kaneuji” (濃州大垣住志津三郎兼氏), real name Tōyama Tō´emon (遠山藤右衛門), he lived in Ōgaki (大垣)

 

KANEUJI (兼氏), Kyōhō (享保, 1716-1736), Mino – “Nōshū Ōgaki-jū Shizu Saburō Kaneuji” (濃州大垣住 志津三郎兼氏), real name Tōyama Matazaemon (遠山又左衛門), he counted himself as 23rd gen. Kaneuji but this has to be taken with a grain of salt because an even later Kaneuji from the Kōka era (弘化, 1844-1848) signed with the supplement “19th gen. Kaneuji,” however, the later Kaneuji smiths from the Ōgaki line had specialized in the production of kogatana

[Geraint]

Hi Sylvain.

 

It's hard a hard life.  The gyaku takanoha yasurime might help pin things down as they are not all that common.  From what I can see, and you only show one side of the blade, this is not nagamaki zukuri, it is just that the yokote has become obscure, I think it had quite a large kissaki which might point to the later smith that John suggested.  It is hard to tell from the images but some of the corrosion at the monouchi looks quite deep, you probably need the opinion of a polisher as to whether  it can be saved.  What is the other side like?

 

All the best.

[Jean]

Sylvain,

 

Not a notable smith. Some opening/rust could remain after polish. The blade is Shinto very badly shortened. If you want to resell it, you will probaby lose money.

 

Add polish, shirasaya, how is the koshirae? I'll pass, considering the great deals available in the "sale section". This blade once restored will have cost between 1500/2000€...

[Sly]

Thanks John for having found the swordsmith(s). I didn't know that they could use only a part of their formal mei on certain blades. Well, anyway, as Jean noticed, it's not a notable smith and he is totaly right about the cost of restoration. Sometimes you can find wonders, but most of the times, it's just junk blades.

 

Geraint is maybe right about the kissaki. That's the only pics I have, so hard to go further on this issue...

 

You know what ? The guy ask 450 € for this, and there's no koshirae, the kashira is missing, etc. I think he can wait for a while ! But if someone is interested on the board, I can do the connection

[Surfson]

The fuchi looks like it might be worth saving.  That's about it.  You can do much better for that amount!