Please help with japanese words on knife

[Sergei]

Dear Sirs,

 

my name is Sergei from München. I come to this forum as I receive a Samurai knife in my family but do not know what is says. I hope anybody can help me please let me know what it say.

 

Here is picture for you. Thank you for writing.

 

Yours,

 

Sergei

[Stephen]

Bishu Inuyama ju Kanetomo

 

im sure we'd all like to see the rest of the Tanto

[Sergei]

Dear Stephen, thank you for telling me. Do you know is this old Samurai knife from good maker? Sincerly, Sergei

[Stephen]

if its his yes, the date i found and i may be wrong is from around 1596, to see how well he did we'd like pix of the full blade, nice shot of the tip and any grain pattern that you can photo.

[Sergei]

Here I take more fotos for you. It has wood handle and scabbard.

 

Yours,

 

Sergei

[Stephen]

looks good so far, one more please of the full blade sans handle and habaki, one note, looks like someone used metal polish to shine the blade...may be the light on the photo....if that the case be sure to just use a light oil, not to heavy of a coat.

[Jacques]

Hi,

 

I'm wondering

 

Tomo 友 or Yoshi 女 ? Looks more Tomo

[Nobody]

I am still a little unsure about the last kanji. But the mei could be

 

尾州犬山住兼安 (Kaneyasu) ?

[Sergei]

Here I take more fotos for you.

[Sergei]

More

[Bugyotsuji]

I am still a little unsure about the last kanji. But the mei could be

 

尾州犬山住兼安 (Kaneyasu) ?

 

I would agree with Nobody here, except for the last kanji which looks so much like 女.

 

*There was a (koto) Kanechika 兼女 but from 美濃

 

*There was a 慶長Keicho era 尾州犬山住金友　Kanetomo, same person as 金伴、輝広

[Sergei]

Dear Sirs,

 

I am puzzled now. There seems to be so many different names!? Do I need to send you better foto of the writing? How old you think it is?

 

Thank you for your helping this.

 

Sincerly,

 

Sergei

[Bugyotsuji]

Hello Sergei,

 

The very bottom Kanji is proving difficult to read. You could try taking a close-up of this one Kanji from a couple of different angles, and it might help if you are happy to do so, (not that there is anything wrong with the photos you have already provided)...

 

If the Mei is genuine, and not Gimei, then that might give us an idea as to the age of your blade.

[Brian]

The "Inuyama" is the key here I think. I can find a mention of a Inuyama Kanetomo as Stephen pointed out, but not for the other readings (haven't checked much as I am at work)

I think it is between Kaneyasu and Kanetomo and I do lean towards Kanetomo.

What listings are there for these smiths signing with Inuyama? (if that is the correct reading)

 

Brian

[Sergei]

Here is more fotos of it. Thank you all.

[Grey Doffin]

A search of my index for listings containing "Inuyama" gives us 3 smiths who signed with the 1st Kanji Kane: Kanetake 兼武, Kaneuji 兼氏, and Kanewaka 兼若. I don't think any of these fit the last Kanji on the tanto in question.

Grey

[Bugyotsuji]

Thanks Sergei, that's great!

 

PS The Toko Soran lists the Inuyama Kanetomo 兼友 on p. 85 (see earlier post). The date is given as Keicho.

[John A Stuart]

I still think Kaneuji when you consider the second horizontal stroke is abreviated. John

[Sergei]

Maybe this a maker where there is no documentation? The blade looks very nice and good condition so I think it is not old but for the end where there is rust.?

[John A Stuart]

Leaving the mei aside this is a wonderful sword. It has great horimono, is in a fair polish and has an interesting look. I'm sure it is a koto era sword (over 400 years old) and the patina on the nakago is part of the reason to attribute it so. Just in case you are not aware of it, do not clean or polish etc. the nakago (tang). It is crucial it remains as is. You are lucky to have such a nice example. John

[Bugyotsuji]

Just playing now, but other possibilities are Kane 及　-chika, or Kane 戌　-ochi, -etsu. (masakari)

[Stephen]

Grey check Hawley Kan 2547...also the four stroke count for tomo mid right column, ? stroke to the right insted of the left on the top of inter top stroke to the left...if that makes a diff.

[Brian]

I'm still going with Kanetomo as Stephen said. Not hard to see the "tomo" kanji if you consider the one stroke as abbreviated...commonly done with different smiths.

This is backed up by the fact that Hawley's lists 2 Kanetomo signing this way. KAN2547 (changed his name to Teruhiro, worked ca. 1596 and worked in Aki) and also KAN2569 who worked ca. 1592, Mino, Owari. Both signed Bishu Inuyama ju Kanetomo. First is 50 points and the next 15 points.

At any rate, the dates would fit in with the appearance, and it does look like a nice blade. Care for it well, and do some research on how to preserve it.

 

Regards,

Brian

 

Edit to add: Pity no pic, he is mentioned here: http://www.artfact.com/auction-lot/a-nagamaki-wakizashi-early-edo-period-circa-1600-1-c-ohwwiwgglv

[Sergei]

Thank you all. The knife has oil on it. I think this is good?

 

How can I find out if the signature is really good because someone says it can't be said?

 

Regards to everyone,

 

Sergei

[Brian]

Sergei,

There isn't a good way to tell if this is a gimei (false signature) or not unless you sent it to shinsa, or find good mei examples of his work to compare. However either way it looks like a decent enough tanto, and the age is likely around that date. It's probably not going to be a masterpiece worth $20K or anything...but a decent piece in fairly good condition. Search the forum for "blade care" or maintenance and you will find lots of info. Just keep it lightly oiled and don't polish anything and it will be fine. We don't guess values too much on this forum, but over $1000 up to whatever anyone will pay. You are in Germany? I am sure there are Nihonto groups or dealers that can advise you more. Where is the NBTHK Europe based?

 

Regards,

Brian

[Stephen]

Serge

 

this is what Hawleys looks like

[Sergei]

I find this with Google:

 

http://www.nihonto.com/rh435.html

 

Is this the same maker?

[Brian]

Sergei,

Not easy to make that call. It appears to be the one from Hawley, however since there is still not consensus on the reading of that last kanji, I wouldn't be confident in which one it is. It could also be the other one from Hawley, or one of the other readings. The filemarks don't seem to match, so I am unsure. There are other kanji that have been listed as possible, and while there is debate, there is no way to know for sure.

At the moment I don't think you can take it further, unless Gordon Robson happens to pop in

I do think it is likely around 1600's. Need more opinions on the kanji though. With there being Kanetomo smiths signing this way..that is the direction I am headed, but nothing is 1005 certain in this game.

 

Regards,

Brian

[Stephen]

The only way to tell is have experts look at it. Right now a lot of politics are causing doubt on such organizations. Id wait a while then have it sent to shinsa team for examination. cost around 800.$

better yet just sell me the tanto ) just a joke im MAC at the moment..