Awataguchi Yoshimitsu For Sale

[Keiji]

Yesterday, after the expiry... I found this tanto with mei "Yoshimitsu" (Awataguchi): http://page23.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/o173053863

 

What do you think?

 

 

粟田口吉光の短刀です。銘は間違いなく粟田口の銘で、姿もふくら枯れて上品です。これは決して土佐吉光とかのものではありません。
正直申しますと、個人的見解では火を被っていると思います。研ぎもひどい状態ですが、研ぎなおせば粟田口の素晴らしい地鉄が表れてくると思います。
現状でもその片鱗は見ることができます。粟田口物ってのはこういうものだという参考品で持たれたらいかがでしょうか。

刃長　：　24.6ｃｍ
反り　：　0.1ｃｍ
元幅　：　2.15ｃｍ　 
元重ね　：　3mm


地鉄　：　摘んだ板目に杢目、地景交じり写りたつ　　　　
刃文　：　直刃、金筋、小足、砂流し入り冴える。
帽子　：　突き上げて吐き掛け風
銘　　：　吉光
時代：鎌倉末期
はばき　：　真鍮ハバキ
拵え　：　白鞘
疵欠点　：　特に気になる傷はありません
備考：この刀が登録されている都道府県教育委員会に２週間以内に名義変更を行ってください。

 

 

 

[Geraint]

Dear Franceso.

 

I am sure you have already had a look here, http://www.nihonto.ca/awataguchi-yoshimitsu/ Given the source of this tanto, not to mention the poor photographs, not to mention the sugata I don't think I would lose any sleep over having missed this one.  The chances of such a blade escaping unnoticed from Japan, out of polish yet in a suspiciously new looking shirasaya must be regarded as slim.  Comparing what can be seen to the stunning array of examples on Darcy's site I think you can relax.

 

Of course there are many other Yoshimitsu and it might be any one of them.

 

All the best.

[Guido]

Awataguchi Yoshimitsu for 162,200 円? I take three, please!

[Keiji]

Hello,

you're right! :-)

 

I "know" about 60 swords by Awataguchi Yoshimitsu, and starting from the sugata in the tantō, they have uchizori, however this have sori (I don't think only 0.1 cm, as also the kasane with only 0.3 cm).

 

I don't know the Japanese, but I read that the seller says he may have suffered a fire, (I think) then the sori could be caused by saiha. What do you think?

 

The sabi and the mei seems very good, remember that its signatures are divided into three time groups.

 

from left to right: koguchi-mei, intermediate, ōguchi-mei.

 

This reminds the ōguchi-mei?

 

More info in the Kantei Series by Markus Sesko: https://markussesko.com/2015/12/13/kantei-4-yamashiro-12-awataguchi-%E7%B2%9F%E7%94%B0%E5%8F%A3-school-7/

 

Thank you :-)

 

P.S. The seller was Kanetoyo1, maybe the same? http://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/21675-antique-Japanese-sword-shop-kanetoyo/page-2