Sadayoshi/Yoriyoshi/Yorimasa the same smith?

[bdgrange]

Please take a look at these two signatures.

1. One is from the e bay listing of a piece signed "Hatori Tanto jo Yorimasa" ( now my own http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0266830075 )

2. Then next one from a Danny Massey listing http://www.nihontocraft.com/Sadayoshi_Katana.html

3. In John Slough's book on pg. 195 is an oshigata of one signed Hattori Tanto jo

Yoriyoshi.

These all display the same "Kesho" style yasurime carefully done.

I read that "Hatori" was a sword shop and forge providing high quality swords for

Imperial army officers during WW2. This placement indicates where they were made

much the same as a province. It is also interesting to note

that Sadayoshi (who became a Mukansa rated smith after the war) lived in Mishima

at the Hatori address after the war.

All three sig. have the same cut kanji, file marks and nakago, same location of manufacture. Even if a diff. smith working at the same forge the strokes, togare, would not be the same and these are identical.

Not likely a mere coincidence.

I am trying to determine what if any, was the relationship of Yorimasa with Enamoto

Sadayoshi. Of course would be a real find if is a sig. used by Sadayoshi. Still well made and the "nagashi" appears the same burnished rectangle but lacking any lines?

your thoughts please.................bdgrange

[bdgrange]

In talking to Fred Weisburg I learned that some sword groups would have a

literate person, a sword signer, sign the work of each smith. So even though

these sigs. style are very much similar the swords may be made by diff. smiths as the names do indicate.

I like ans. my own posts, I think.

 

Bill delagrange

[bdgrange]

Now it appears that Sadayoshi signed after the war Sadayoshi.

During the war at the Hatori forge signing Yoriyoshi for custom order work and Yorimasa for

gunto for the army. If there is such a thing. No stamps and appears traditionally made. In any event

Yoshimasa fills in a gap of work done by Enamoto Sadayoshi and it then is very

collectable. So say I. It is well made with fine hada, and nioi and some clusters of ara nie in the monouchi area. There are four rather neat ashi rising out of the hamon ending in a droplet. Nice balance. I refinished the saya and added a sukashi tusba that looks quite nice.

 

happy new year

Bill delagrange

[Brian Hancock]

Hi Bill,

I have a sword by Amada Sadayoshi. Is he a relation of Enamoto Sadayoshi?

Cheers,

Brian.

[Brian]

Hi Bill,

That is some interesting research there, linking the 3 mei to one smith.

Would you be able to provide some sources of the info if possible?

 

Brian

[bdgrange]

Another expert collector, who resided in Japan and was well aquainted with the Enomoto family, has been a resource for me. But the conclusion and connection I suggest is purely my own. Your blade Amada Sadayoshi would have been attributed to the Amada

family, I believe. Enomoto Sadayoshi had two sons who have succeeded him their names are Tatsuyoshi and Sadahito. You may look on pg 155 of The New Generation of Japanese Swordsmiths for info. on Sadayoshi. It is known that Enomoto Sadayoshi worked at the Hatori forge and the family uses this site to this day.

kind regards

Bill delagrange