KO-DACHI SIGNED NOBUHISA

[Ron STL]

A recent study sword this past weekend a wakizashi-size sword signed tachi-mei NOBUHISA. The sword has good age, possibly Kamakura, based on the nakago. Interestingly, The mei appears above a very old (original) mekugi-ana as was often done on early swords. The sword is a little machi okura which make this "original" ana set 4-fingers down from what would have been the original ha machi, again an early trait. The sword has had nice nie hataraki brough out with finger stones running along a slightly narrow hamon of, let's call it a midare hamon. Utsuri can be seen "hanging down" from the narrow shinogi-ji. I have no photos of the sword because of its out-of-polish condition. A knowledgeable opinion was expressed earlier judging the sword to possibly be a  ko-dachi of the Mokusa-kaji who made swords in Mutsu Province since Heian times. My question today is where to find more information on this group of swordsmiths. I found several listed in the Meikan but being in Japanese text, I cannot read these entries. An interesting sword that may eventually be sent to Japan for answers and restoration, if that's warrented. Any comments will be most welcomed, especiatlly where to find additional info on this Mutsu group. 

Ron STL

 

 

[Ray Singer]

Ron, this is the only 長久(Nagahisa) listed for that time period via Markus Sesko:

NAGAHISA (長久), Kenmu (建武, 1334-1338), Dewa – “Nagahisa” (長久), Gassan school, it is said that he also worked in Ōshū province

[Rivkin]

Not much is known about Mogusa. He is referenced in 13th century texts as 11th century smith, but his fame gradually decreased since then. Today there are no certainly identifiable examples and the name is used as synonym of Houju, which in turn are mostly Nambokucho-Oei period attributions. It is often stated they were made in Hiraizumi, but no evidence of such exists and the city itself did not exist in Nambokucho until it was reinvented/rebuild in the 19th century as a tourist site.

[Jussi Ekholm]

Very interesting item Ron. Definately worth researching.

 

Unfortunately Mōgusa group is very little known as Kirill said above. There is lot of historical legend but I believe surviving authenticated Mōgusa tachi date from early Kamakura to late Kamakura. There are only a handful of signed items by Mōgusa smiths remaining and unfortunately I haven't found info or item by this smith Nagahisa yet.

 

I think one person who might have info on this school is Wataru Hara, he has great knowledge of old schools. I remember c. 10 years ago when TheJapaneseSword had forums there used to be long thread about Mogusa school where he shared a lot of knowledge. Unfortunately that forum is now long gone, and remembering things like that makes me feel old... He uses Instagram where I reached him some years ago and I believe he might also be on Facebook (as I am not, I can't tell who uses it).

[Ron STL]

Appreciate the known background on this group Mogusa. At first I was skeptical on calling this a ko-dashi because of a memory of a ko-dashi by Osafune Nagamitsu I was in Ueno Museum years ago. That was a magnificent blade with strong sugata. But this sword is polished down quite a bit but still healthy, just not as strong as the Nagamitsu. At this point I think the wise next step would be to make sure my friend gets this to Mr. Tanobe for his judgement and go on by his recommendations. 

Ron STL