Tam Ba ka Yoshi Michi

[turbo944part]

Hello

 

I just recently bought this sword and am trying to figure out who exactly made it. I had the signature translated as Tam Ba Ka Yoshi Michi . I am trying to figure out which of the generations produced this sword. Is there a way to tell the difference between the different smiths who signed the same name?/Users/fernandolopezchaparro/Desktop/sword/fullsignature2.jpg

[turbo944part]

one more pic

[turbo944part]

The sword is by no means in great condition. The tip is broken ( not deep into the temper line ) and there are some nicks on the blade and some other damage on the blade. Trying to figure out if it is worth it to have this sword polished. I have no Habaki and the resting mounts are shabby so am debating on how I am going to restore this if at all. The sword is a wakizashi and has a blade of about 20"

[Gunome]

Hello,

 

I guess it is Tanba (no) kami Yoshimichi, which is a smith of shinto area. He invented sudare-ba hamon.

There is several smiths with this name. Looking to the mei, it doesn't seem it is shodai's one.

 

Sebastien

[Jean]

Let's be clear Turbo jet, here is a link to tamba no kami waki on sale. Take into account the cost you are going to pay to mend a shinto wakizashi, which will have no value because of broken kissaki, forget it

 

http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/wakizashi/08745.html (Tokubetsu Hozon)

 

 

BTW, if I could call you by your first name, it will be right friendly as I am sure it becomes you :D :D

[Jean]

another one :

 

http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/wakizashi/09212.html

[turbo944part]

Hello and thanks for the information. I only paid $200 for the sword so whatever becomes of it really doesnt matter. I had one gentleman look at the sword and he claimed that if I had a proper polisher do the work that the tip (due to the fact it wasnt that deep ) and the other flaws would be undetectable. I talked to a polisher that he had referred me to and the polisher said he would have to see it before he could make such a judgement. Even if it is repairable a polish wont be less than $2000 and i would imagine that for a new habaki and resting mounts that I would be paying at least another $1000. I guess the question is, do I have a $3200 sword when Im finished??? Would the value of the sword differ according to which Generation Yoshimichi forged it? I am not sure what would be more gratifying, fixing this sword ( out of respect ) or having one already done delivered to more door.. Thanks for the comments and the links.

 

CHRIS S

[Stephen]

I am not sure what would be more gratifying

 

after being looked at by a rep togi id vote with the restoration, any rich man can buy a ready to go blade in polish, to go with the dedication to the preservation of Nihon-to is the true path.

[turbo944part]

I agree. Before I make any decision I will take the sword to San Francisco for examination... Thanks everybody for the help... If I figure out which smith actually did the work I will be sure to post it...

thank you

 

Chris S

[Jean]

Chris, If you can afford it, do it. Nevertheless take into consideration that the swords indicated are all ubu and papered. If you add all the restoration cost + paper (shinsa), new habaki, shirasaya .. It is not financially satisfying. This sword have very few chance to go Tokubetsu Hozon.

 

One thing to take into consideration, nobody knows (even the polisher) what will be the sword onece polished (wre or not), I had a rusty healthy blade which once polished had to hagire...

[turbo944part]

I can see what you are saying about all the costs adding up real quickly and finding myself $6000 dollars into a sword that might be worth nothing. Ive been in this same situation with vintage american muscle cars. I ended up spending far more than I could have bought the same car from someone who completed the restoration and found themselves on hard times. But.... there becomes an attachment with something you take risk with and build yourself, that just cannot be purchased. I will be taking the sword to a formally trained Japanese Polisher and I will let him help me decide the fate of this project. Im not too worried about papers, as I plan on keeping the sword. I will post after the sword makes its visit to the polisher.

with respect,

chris s

[Jacques]

Hi,

 

This blade is by all evidence a bad gimei of Yoshimichi (Yamashiro line) i'm very doubtful about a worth for restoration.

[turbo944part]

Does gemei mean signature.. I wish i could get a better picture but Only have a camera phone at the minute and with the patina its hard for me to get a good photo . I was told by others that the signature was very classic. All in all I appreciate all the advice. Having paid so little there is no way for me to be unhappy with the blade. If its not art worthy , it still might make a fine weapon. Once it goes to the polisher for a viewing shortly I will post and let you guys know what he thought and said.

 

chris s

[Gunome]

Hello,

 

Gimei mean fake signature

 

Sebastien

[reinhard]

I was told by others that the signature was very classic.

 

It is not (at all)

 

If its not art worthy , it still might make a fine weapon.

 

Every sharpened screwdriver does as well.

 

reinhard

[Jean]

Chris, just compare the first kanji of your sword with the examples I provided

[turbo944part]

I agree it is not one of those smiths. Those two smiths produced many nice swords with a very distinctive hamon. One of those swords has be interested and I wouldnt mind have two swords from the same school.

[Jean]

Chris,

 

everybody is concentrating on the Signature. I have checked with the Fujishiro (expensive book but of you can come by it with its translation by AFU, buy it. For a further description, it contains thousands pictures of blade tangs signed a good reference). No seems to fit.

 

The signature is the last thing that should be checked, it islike checking the la bel of a vine before tasting it.

 

can you provide pictures of the blade, is it sudareba? The mei must fit the work (rule of thumb)

[turbo944part]

hello and thanks again for the help. I will try and get some pics of the blade in the next days. The tempering line is very nice but is not even similar to some of those swords you referred me to. I was told it was most likely an earlier generation before they started some of the signature tempering lines. The only problem matching the kanji is the first letter. The other ones are very close to many of the signatures out there.. I realize that someone before the war could have forged this signature and blade. I dont think that is the case but I have not ruled it out of possibility. If it was forged, but the quality of the blade was there i would still spend money on a polish ( but not such a good one ) and use this as a secondary defense tool...Ill have to wait for a good camera before I will send pictures of the sword as with my camera/phone its hard to pick up the detail, expecially due to the fact that it is not in polish. The prices for the swords you sent the link to me were very reasonable. There is a yoshimichi 3rd generation which is very nice that can be had for less than $5000. Not only that some of the jites in japon that have swords on consignment have some swords on 25% off. One way or another I am going to be adding to my collection a Japanese sword soon.. Thanks.....

 

chris s

[Jacques]

Hi,

 

The only problem matching the kanji is the first letter

 

The whole signature is far to match a mei by Yoshimichi Shodai ( the first) or following. Is your blade bearing a kiku-mon (chrisanthemum flower)?

 

 

I was told it was most likely an earlier generation before they started some of the signature tempering lines.

 

You can find an excellent example here