Aikuchi Tanto Mei

[Shikari375]

Help and comments on this signature please.
Bought as "Edo unsigned", was it  described thus because it is gimei.
Thank you very much.

[SteveM]

Hello new poster,

 

Norimichi 法道

See this entry and the one following it

https://nihontoclub.com/smiths/NOR8

 

I cannot comment on the authenticity of the signature. I will say it is misleading for the seller to list this as unsigned. Unsigned should mean unsigned, and shouldn't have to be second-guessed as a judgement on the existing signature. 

 

Note the forum rules that require people to sign with a real name. 

[Shikari375]

Steve,

Thank you for your prompt response.

I hadn't noted that rule, but will certainly do so on future posts.

John Scott

[Curran]

John A. S.

 

I have no idea why it would be listed as 'unsigned'.

The smith is rated as 'jo saku'. I don't think it would be a likely target for gimei signature.

 

It looks like a nice, and possibly Kambun from the shape.

That also happens to be when the smith worked.

[goose710]

John

I'd like to see more pics of this item, have you any?

Charles

[Shikari375]

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/mallams-ltd-cheltenham/catalogue-id-srmall10048/lot-e974f92a-e54c-46e2-8499-a80900a9fbe2

 

Thank you for confirming my guess about the blade, and despite the claim by the auctioneers that it was 19th Century, and with no mention of a signature

This sale did contain gimei pieces, and I guess the auctioneer did not want to legally guarantee the piece by making an attribution.
i bought because it seemed right- and it called to me.

Thank you for giving me the smith's name, and thus confirming my guess of Shinto.
 

Now- what do you chaps think about the koshirae? Not Meiji bling, in my view, but earlier- when?
 

In the absence of accurate description by the seller- I am working towards a proper, and more detailed description of this, the latest addition to my modest collection.

Thank you,

John

[Shikari375]

On further examination I have found a signature in the Aikuchi fittings.

I have taken a look through Markus Sesko's "Signatures of Japanese Sword Fittings Artists" but haven't spotted it.

Can you also help me with this as well, please.

Thank you,

John

[Curran]

Decent little toppei koshirae rig.. c. 1855-1870

Typical silver fittings.

 

Overall, nice little package.

Even with some harsh auction house premium on top of the hammer price, that still seems like a very nimble deal there.