Wakazashi Identification (Tsunatoshi)

[Jrom]

Hello, Thanks in advance for any information or opinions you can offer.  Not looking to price or sell.  

I have a Wakizashi that is a family heirloom, given to my great grandfather when he was in Japan teaching chemistry early 1900's.  Over the years since my Grandfather gave the wakizashi to me I have been trying to research it's possible age and maker.  Unfortunately the wakizashi wasn't cared for well before coming to me and I have yet to figure out any sort of restoration service.

Mei appears to be Tsunatoshi (presumably Chounsai Tsunatoshi) but I have not found any other two character examples of a Tsunatoshi mei

Bo-hi with a thin second bo-hi.  Also, have not found any other examples by Tsunatoshi with a bo-hi.

Kogatana has engraved characters that are really hard to decipher, got some better photos that I will share.

Other details I have read about leads me to believe it is Shin-Shinto era.

Album includes other Kogatana, Tsuba, and bits I was given.

 

https://goo.gl/photos/RoB3nS4khu1YiQoD8

 

Thanks again!

 

[Geraint]

Dear Jarom.

 

Welcome to NMB!  You have clearly done quite a bit of research on your sword, that's refreshing to see.  Clearly at some point you are going to face the restoration issues, do ask for advice when that time comes, it's an attractive sword and deserves to be restored properly.

 

As to it's maker, you have already done some research but my immediate response is that the mei is a little too neat and if you look at the second kanji, bottom right stroke, on your example the stroke curves upward whereas on the papered examples I have looked at it curves the other way.  I'm sure you will know that a great number of swords carry false signatures and this may be the case, however it is still a good sword so don't do anything hasty.

 

All the best.

[SteveM]

Markus lists a couple of Tsunatoshi (綱俊) smiths, both students of Chōunsai, who signed with two-character mei towards the end of the Edo period. Could be either of those two. 

The mei on the kogatana is too worn down to read. 

[Jrom]

6 hours ago, Geraint said:

Dear Jarom.

 

Welcome to NMB!  You have clearly done quite a bit of research on your sword, that's refreshing to see.  Clearly at some point you are going to face the restoration issues, do ask for advice when that time comes, it's an attractive sword and deserves to be restored properly.

 

As to it's maker, you have already done some research but my immediate response is that the mei is a little too neat and if you look at the second kanji, bottom right stroke, on your example the stroke curves upward whereas on the papered examples I have looked at it curves the other way.  I'm sure you will know that a great number of swords carry false signatures and this may be the case, however it is still a good sword so don't do anything hasty.

 

All the best.

Thanks Geraint.  I am not discouraged at all by your assessment.  Everything else still points to my assumed time period.  I have read about false signatures and also am intrigued by SteveM's thought about Tsunatoshi students using the two character signature toward the end of the Edo period.

 

If you have any other insights in how to get started down the restoration path I would appreciate it.  I looked into it some time ago but options were very limited and my finances were not in a place to even think about it.

 

Cheers!

[Jrom]

28 minutes ago, SteveM said:

Markus lists a couple of Tsunatoshi (綱俊) smiths, both students of Chōunsai, who signed with two-character mei towards the end of the Edo period. Could be either of those two. 

The mei on the kogatana is too worn down to read. 

Thanks SteveM!  I will dig around but if can direct me to where Markus lists those I would appreciate it.

 

Cheers!

[SteveM]

Check out his Index of Japanese Swordsmiths N-Z, page 289.