Dating Kanefusa tanto?

[walkabout]

'Evening all,

 

Is it possible to tell which generation or time period a Kanefusa piece may have been made by the mark on the tang? I know that there are differences in the generational marks on raku and other styles of pottery, but I am not knowledgeable in swords. Is there reference material - in pottery, there is always 'Morse'. I've attached a photo of the mark.

 

Any help is appreciated.

[Jacques]

Hi,

 

Smiths named Kanefusa are numerous and worked in many periods, without seeing the whole blade (and some details such hada, hamon, kissaki), it is impossible to determine whom. There are Some scholars on this board such Guido or Clive, but for all that, they are not soothsayers. :D

[walkabout]

Thank you for your reply.

 

Here are some more photos. Not being all that familiar with the terminology, I hope these show what you would be looking for. If the views are insufficient or not the right ones, please let me know.

[Mark]

hard to be sure without seeing it in hand, but if forced to guess from just the pictures you show i would say 1570-1650

[walkabout]

Hello Mark,

 

Thank you for contributing. From buying tea bowls and other potteries, I can well appreciate trying to judge or make an estimate of a piece from only photographs and I appreciate your opinion. Would other photos help? If so, what in particular.

 

Best regards,

 

David

[Jacques]

Hi,

 

The kanefusa school was founded in 1501. For what i see from the pictures, hamon, boshi and grooves seem matching the school. Nevertheless, it is really difficult to identify which generation it is.

[walkabout]

Hello Jacques,

 

I've subsequently seen some examples of attributed to the Kanefusa school (Mino, isn't it?) that are given a date, though there is nothing other than the signature. Have you any idea what criteria is, or has been, used to date those pieces? I, personally, can't tell from the signature if there is a difference in the characters with the different generations - I'm not that good and neither is my vision any more, nor have I seen enough examples. I've collected Japanese tea bowls (chawan) for some time now and often, such as with Raku bowls, there have been many generations of the family that have made them. With each generation the seal or signature stamp has changed - sometimes subtly, sometimes significantly. I gather this is not the case with the swordsmiths? Is there a way to get an accurate dating on an older piece that would be agreed upon by more than one person?

 

David