Request for info on Kagemitsu

[JH Lee]

So, probably not the renowned Osafune Kagemitsu.  Please see below.  

 

Also, an additional question about wakizashi size.  How common was it for a shinogi-zukuri wakizashi to be made intentionally slender in profile?  For example, ~2.5cm at the motohaba and <1.7cm at the sakihaba?  I understand many surviving nihonto are not what they were when they were newly made, due to repolishing and so on.  I am just wondering about the worthiness of a bladed weapon whose cutting edge is so slender.  There just doesn't seem to be enough mass for many of the koryu kata I've seen that involve deflection and parry, never mind a deep enough cut (through clothing and into meat, potentially hitting bone, etc.) to deal significant damage to an opponent.  Of course, I have read in some of the older threads here on NMB that certain fencing schools preferred slender profiles, and that upper echelon nobles may have wanted more slender and elegant blades as well.  

[Toryu2020]

John -

Which generation do you suppose this is? If we're talking about THE Kagemitsu, there were no shinogi-zukuri wakizashi produced during his time. If we are talking about a Kodachi then all features of a full blown Tachi would be present - I do not see the profile of a Tachi here. At best you're looking at some later Kagemitsu - more likely a false signature meant to deceive. Its still a 12 inch razor, if you're practiced and everyone is wearing silk it will do the job...

-t

[Gakusee]

JH Lee, in the narrow confines of a castle or inn, there is no space or time for kata, at least those practised with eagerness by the young iaidoka of nowadays. The wak or kodachi were spare weapons for a palanquin, bedroom, high-level visit etc etc were the longer blade was not permitted or convenient to have on oneself.

 

Of course you can kill an opponent with a short wakizashi - slashing through the carotid, stabbing in the chest or the head etc. 

 

As to your blade, the signature is the on the nakago side that indicates it is not by Osafune Kagemitsu, wakizashi were not in vogue at the time and not made, the signature itself is definitely not one of the Osafune sandai master. 
 

As to slenderness, I have a close to ubu kodachi by one of the Osafune grandmasters and the haba is close to what you are describing. 

[JH Lee]

Thank you.  As I said, I also do NOT believe this is the renowned Osafune Kagemitsu.  The mei does not match, and, as you have said, the shape is wrong for the period.  

 

Were there many other smiths who signed their work "Kagemitsu"?  Does anyone recognize this particular signature?

[Jacques D.]

42 minutes ago, JH Lee said:

Were there many other smiths who signed their work "Kagemitsu"?  Does anyone recognize this particular signature?

 

 

Yes, more than 10 and most are not of high level.