Tanto Aikuchi Silver Koshirae

[Tsubafan]

Here is my latest purchase, unfortunately the blade is in bad shape... is it a UNOKUBI ZUKURI shape?

The Habaki and all other fittings are in solid silver with simple but nice Katakiri bori engravings.

Mei on nakago seems to read HinaMitsu.

Is there any ways to know which Hinamitsu swordsmith it could be (there are 7 generations  of Hinamitsu)

What about the Koshirae, you think Edo or Meiji? I believe there is a space for a Kogai or maybe a small Kogatana?

 

[Brian]

Hisamitsu, not Hhina....

[Grey Doffin]

I think the koshirae is Meiji, if not later. The blade could be earlier.

Grey

[Tsubafan]

7 hours ago, Brian said:

Hisamitsu, not Hhina....

Oops sorry my bad, typo error indeed. Yes I meant Hisamitsu ! There are at least 7 swordsmiths as per nihonto club index.

 

[Brian]

Both the tanto and the koshirae have a late Meiji feel to them.
I would suspect out of those listed, it would be by: (Just a guess)
 

Quote

HISAMITSU (久光), Keiō (慶応, 1865-1868), Dewa – “Shimizu Ise no Kami Tenseishi Rai Hisamitsu” (清水伊勢守 天聖子来久光), gō Tenseishi (天聖子)

 

[Tsubafan]

Thanks a lot Brian and Grey.

For what it is worth, the part of this set that I like most is... the Habaki !

[oli]

Hi,

 

can i ask a newbie question? The design remind me, as it is art deco design. Can it be? Or was this kind of design, not in Japan?

 

thanks

Oliver 

[Tsubafan]

Hello, you probably meant Art Nouveau (c 1900) with its typical flowers and insects decorations. Art Deco is a later period (c 1920) with less decoration and more symmetrical designs.

[Surfson]

I think it is a nice little tanto Louis, and yes, it is unokubi zukuri (cormorant's neck).  The tsuka appears to possibly have baileen wrap on it (made from the filtration system of whales, and quite rare).  

 

[Tsubafan]

I have read some articles on baleen wrap and can confirm this is the material used on my tsuka. Very good remark Robert! Thanks for pointing that out. Unfortunately some parts are missing…

i paid 900 € for this set, I hope this was a correct price.

[Franco D]

On 4/19/2022 at 2:19 AM, Tsubafan said:

Is there any ways to know which Hinamitsu swordsmith it could be (there are 7 generations  of Hinamitsu)

 

Quote

2022 NTHK West Coast Shinsa - Yes its happening!

Toryu2020 replied to Toryu2020's topic in Sword Shows, Events, Community News and Legislation Issues

Yanchen - The shinsa process is exactly the same as in Japan - the personnel are exactly the same as in Japan, they will just be in Burlingame this time around. No one should get us confused with the NBTHK - we are much more a collector focused organization, in every instance we attempt to provide attributions to particular smiths, including generation and time period, we do this even if an item is rejected...

 

 

[drbvac]

Nice - I would think the blade worthy of a polish and would be a very impressive piece.

[Bugyotsuji]

Many dealers will just pass these along as is, but often, like yours they are worthy of some TLC.

 

This will cost money, and you may well not end up making a profit, but on a personal satisfaction level there is plenty more reward than a fistful of crumpled dollars. It will keep rewarding you every time you look at it. 

 

PS I have something somewhat similar which I sent for polish, then sent for papers, and for which I recently had a shirasaya made. Some people said I was crazy, but that did not worry me. 

[Baba Yaga]

On 4/18/2022 at 11:19 PM, Tsubafan said:

 

What about the Koshirae, you think Edo or Meiji?

You can see by the wear by understanding long term cleaning esp silver, if indeed silver. This  Koshirae has been taken care of very well over many decades of cleaning suggesting some thought of it be of great value, "to the owner". With that said, 50 to 100 years of cleaning.  

On 4/18/2022 at 11:19 PM, Tsubafan said:

 

 

[Matsunoki]

Louis….have you seen this one…..

https://www.malcolmfairley.com/shoami-katsuyoshi-a-silver-mounted-aikuchi

 

best wishes

Colin

[Tsubafan]

Hi Colin, thanks for the link.

Pretty interesting !