Help With Norimitsu Tanto

[johngdo]

Hello,

 

I was just hoping to get some thoughts on this Tanto from some of you guys. It's not in great shape, but the sugata had me thinking it may be Kamakura period Osafune.

 

The price was right, so I picked it up... What would your overall impression be? Especially thoughts on Mei if you are able to give any.

 

https://imgur.com/gallery/YJCI2IU

 

Thank you for your thoughts,

John

[b.hennick]

I think that you should have A window opened and if it merits the restoration complete the job.

[johngdo]

Blade length is 24.5cm. Width at hamachi is just under 2cm. Shape is slight Takenoko Zori.

[Vermithrax16]

My kantei skills are limited to polished swords as I need the details to even get somewhat close (meaning no where close), so like Barry suggested a window may help you in your quest.

 

Any major Bizen name (Masamitsu, Katsumitsu, here Norimitsu) has a lot of info to draw on. I did my basic scan (Sesko Koto, Koto Fujishiro, online) tonight and I cannot find one example that signs with the 2 kanji mei. The big guys all had full mei or on top of that added the "something-zaemon" as well. The later Muromachi school swords often had the 2 kanji mei done. Good luck!

[DRDave]

Jeremiah, Look again at Fujishiro pg. 272.  And according to my translation (AFU), some of the other Norimitsu's apparently signed niji-mei, too; there just aren't any examples shown. 

[Vermithrax16]

Jeremiah, Look again at Fujishiro pg. 272.  And according to my translation (AFU), some of the other Norimitsu's apparently signed niji-mei, too; there just aren't any examples shown. 

Dave,

I exempted that one example as it does not fit the other 25 or so I had found. Maybe some other Norimitsu's signed this way, but which one or ones? Later era? Want to add to the conversation? Weigh in. 

 

The original poster asked if it fit an early era, and I have no idea, my skills are not that good. Just going by mei work here.

 

Picture examples from that page and a close up of the 2 kanji mei. 

[DRDave]

I agree, none are are a really good match; and I don't know what era, either.  Question for you and everyone; are niji-mei more common on tachi, or tanto in koto times?  

 

Thanks!

Dave

[Ken-Hawaii]

John, I suggest that you start with Markus Sesko's excellent treatise on tanto sugata (https://markussesko.wordpress.com/2015/04/13/kantei-1-sugata-7/). Then take a look at Robert Cole's site (http://www.sho-shin.com/kozori5.htm), & then check out your blade's sugata against Aoi's posting (https://www.aoijapan.net/tanto-bishu-osafune-norimitsu/).

 

There were also several centuries of Norimitsu tosho, so feel free to browse through Nihonto Club's posts (https://nihontoclub.com/search/node/Norimitsu). Sesko's "Swordsmiths A to Z" has almost two full pages of them, starting on page 828.

[johngdo]

Thanks so much guys. I agree. There is a general lack of niji-mei to compare to. Ken, thank you for the recommendations. I'll do some more research.

 

As always, thank you for your insight.

 

John

[Stephen]

   Norimitsu uchigatana i own ill take oshigata shot this winters clean n oil if you like for your file

 

[hxv]

From the suguta, I would guess Muromachi, not Kamamura.

 

Hoanh

[nagamaki - Franco]

Hello,

 

Since it is signed, might be worth sending a rubbing to one of the shinsa organizations to seek a response. 

 

If physically submitting to a coming shinsa, then would follow Barry's suggestion.

[Surfson]

I saw that one on ebay several days ago.  I asked for more photos and there were some large ware on the blade.  He did tell me that it hasn't been submitted to shinsa though. 

[Surfson]

These are the photos he sent.  

[Stephen]

That ol war horse is dead. Not worth your time or money.

[ggil]

That is pretty harsh, even though it’s a likely scenario. Gotta have a good window to know for sure, I would think. Would the window be done on the tip, then you get a decent stabbing weapon out of the window cost, but then again Stephen is probably right and no reason to give away money

[Stefan]

In my Opinion, an poor down ground Sue-Koto Tanto. 

Stefan